This Quiet Beauty Habit Changes Everything

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Christmas is meant to be about rest, family, food and switching off. But for me, it’s also a bit of a reset where I’m not constantly fighting the 300 beauty press release emails I get a day, or trying to be in 20 places at once. A pause where I take stock of what I’m carrying - mentally, emotionally, digitally - and decide what’s no longer coming with me into the new year.

We usually think of decluttering as a physical act: clearing cupboards, donating clothes, binning junk. And yes, that definitely matters. But in a hyper-digital world, the real clutter also lives elsewhere. In our feeds and our notifications. In our quiet habit of consuming content that leaves us feeling worse, not better. Algorithms don’t have morals; they optimise for attention, they’re riddled with bias and if we don’t edit them, they will gradually start to edit us. And sometimes that means feeding us comparison, insecurity and fears we never consciously opted into.

There’s also a need for a pause away from it all, I think. Logging off can feel risky. We worry about being forgotten, losing reach, disappearing from the conversation. Plus WTF will our hands do if they’re not scrolling incessantly?! But sanity has to count for something too - and I’ve definitely noticed that my brain hasn’t been feeling great on social media recently; all it takes is for me to open an app and see a perfect smiling unlined face of an influencer, that makes my brain spiral into utter panic. I don’t want it and I don’t need it. Neither do you.

So in the spirit of autonomy - not self-punishment - here’s my own clearing plan for starting the year feeling lighter, calmer and more in control of my own beauty space. I’m sharing for anyone else wants to start 2026 feeling like they’re more in control of what they’re consuming and how it affects them.

STEP 1 - DIGITAL CLEARING PLAN

Halve your following list - It’s so easy to click follow, but you’ll quickly notice who you actually miss and who you don’t. Unfollow anyone who makes you feel bad about yourself - gloating, comparison, “aspirational” misery - none of it is mandatory and it’s making your life worse. It always surprises me how many people ‘hate’ follow people too, so stop that and delete them. I’m planning to do this on boxing day ( a weird British name for the day after Christmas for any internationla readers), watching a film with a cuppa.

Curate support, not perfection - If you’re struggling with something - anything from ADHD, to acne to body confidence - then follow smart people who talk about it thoughtfully and realistically. Use them as your inspiration, and their presence in your feed to normalise anything you’re struggling with. I can’t emphasise enough how much of a game changer this is - it really works if you follow enough of the right people.

Audit your platforms - If an app consistently makes you feel worse, ask why it’s still on your phone. I hated X when it was Twitter, let alone now. So in 2026 it’s gone, the same for Facebook. Less is more.

STEP 2. PHYSICAL CLEARING

Blitz your beauty stash - if it’s old, unloved or expired, let it go - recycle, donate, pass it on. You keeping it and not using it isn’t helping anyone. But do make note of why you bought it. Was it an impulse buy on Tik Tok that failed to deliver? (I just bought that stupid collagen stick and it doesn’t work - none of us are immune to this stuff, so no judgement here.) Whatever the case, clear it out and implement a rule around only buying things you know you really want/need. I did this for ages and felt so much better. So, I’m going back to it in 2026. I can only buy beauty/fashion bits at the end of the month, and i’ll pop anything I want on a note on my phone to come back to. Impulse buys are NOT allowed.

Create ease, not aspiration - I always think I’ll be the kind of person who has enough time these multi step routines. In reality I was to just shower, smear a few things on my face, feel great and get on with it. I always think i’ll do some morning gua sha, or use those cold ice globes. I wont and I don’t. So choose products and routines that work on tired days, not imaginary ones. Keep the things you like using, and that you do use - and remove the rest. And less choice = less mental load, so keep everything you can to a minimum.

How can I enjoy beauty more - Make a pinterest board of what looks styles and vibes you’d like to try this year. Do you want to wear more colour this year, maybe try a lipstick, or hairstyle? That state of evaluation, joy and pleasure is the smartest way engage with beauty. Print it out and have it stuck next to where you get ready, and start trying them to reclaim your autonomy from being sold trends/stuff you don’t really need or like. I do a fashion version of this too.

STEP 3 - REWIRING YOUR BRAIN

Curate what you consume - Your feed shapes your self-talk. Load your social spaces with people who make you feel good, curious and expanded - not inadequate. I know i’ve said this already but it needed repeating. It’s so crucial. We’re in a hypnotic brain state using social media, which means we’re taking in a LOT more than we realise.

Follow voices that reframe beauty - Seek out creators, writers and experts who challenge perfection and add context, humour or history to beauty, rather than selling you insecurity. A few I like who are have excellent Substacks are: Flesh World, All Left Turns, Burnt Toast. Get that hit in your inbox, to give your brain a reboot. Share any others you rate and I’ll get a list going to share.

Name the triggers, then set boundaries - Take 10 mins and write down what makes you feel bad about how you look - this could be social media, a parent, a loved one, a friend, a brand, a celebrity, honestly anything. Once you can see who is keeping you stuck in the loop you set boundaries. Mute or unfollow them online, if they’re close to you, have a word and say how it makes you feel, if they don’t stop, come up with a few ways to swiftly change the conversation. There’s always a way to deal with these things - we just have to stop tolerating it.

Here’s to a 2026 filled with self love, beauty that doesn’t harm us and all the good things. I’m following my own advice and having a few weeks offline - so I’ll be back in January. In the meantime, subscribers have a whole wealth of long reads, pep talks and curated beauty lists (without the BS) to delve into.

Much love and have a wonderful rest…and let me know if you try any of the above, too!

PS: A HUGE thanks to all the subscribers - really means a lot. This platform is changing a lot and it’s tricky to navigate, so you being here means everything. Stay tuned for a bit of a rebrand in the new year.

PPS: grab a copy of UGLY here.