Hi everyone,
Ella here again! I’m excited to share with you this month’s newsletter. This January, I wanted to dive into some journaling practices I’ve been leaning into and share how they’ve already helped me feel more at peace in my day to day.
Working for the Ralle team has been such a nourishing and energizing outlet for me this past year, and I’ve been inspired to incorporate even more wellness (mental, physical, social) into my life because of this experience. I hope some of these practices resonate with you, and as always, we can’t wait to connect more in person in 2026!
At the end of nearly ever year, New Years’ resolutions will come up in conversation. People will share dreams of starting new hobbies, getting their health back on track, spending less time online, etc, and these will typically be jumbled together in a catch-all list. As a list-lover myself, I do typically partake in some sort of “Resolution” setting, but I always find it a daunting task, as there is such a vagueness around creating a list of things I just want to “do better.” There are tons of things I want to do better, and even listing out a few can feel like a way to set myself up to be disappointed if I don’t complete them. This year, I entered feeling hungry for more sustainable, interesting alternatives.
In the last few weeks, both social media and my network of friends have introduced me to a couple of new practices on how to be more tactical and intentional with goal-setting, and get more out of what I set out to do throughout the entire year.
Share your comments below if you’ve heard of these, tried them already, or if you’re planning to begin your own. We’d love to hear from you!
The Misogi Challenge
This first practice has been brought to popularity recently by Jesse Itzler (see Instagram link for more info here, and a Psychology Today article here). A Misogi (禊) is a traditional Japanese Shinto ritual of purification, originally involving immersion in cold water, often under a waterfall, to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit from impurities. In Itzler’s modern adapted framework, it’s described as a “life-design system combining big annual challenges, regular small adventures, and consistent habit building for personal growth.” It contains 3 pillars:
One extremely difficult, year-defining event (e.g., running a marathon, climbing a mountain, writing a book).
My Misogi for the year is getting certified in Yoga Sculpt training - which I’m starting very soon! This is something that I’ve been wanting to do forever and could never find the time. I feel excited for this big commitment and its potential impact on my life. Another great Misogi could be getting a new job, applying for school, taking a trip with your friends etc.
Kevin’s Rule (6 Mini-Adventures):
Plan six fun, out-of-the-ordinary experiences throughout the year, roughly every two months (e.g., camping instead of watching football).
I have 2 I’ve thought up so far - doing 100 miles of bikepacking (30 more than I’ve ever done over a few days!) and setting specific dates to explore new neighborhoods in NYC, like a tourist in my own home, instead of my typical Sunday routine.
Winning Habits (4 per Year):
Add one new, positive habit every quarter (every three months), like daily meditation or never being late.
My habit for this quarter is going to be getting 10 minutes of sunlight and a glass of water in before my morning coffee every day. In the winter this can be game changing for my mental health.
What I love about this framework is how it simplifies our goals without making them feel overwhelming. Instead of trying to adopt a dozen habits at once, it encourages us to check in periodically and set clear, identifiable targets. It feels less like a rigid plan and more like a living process where there’s always space to adjust, reassess, and grow. Overall, laying out items like this made me more excited.
Bullet Journaling
A bullet journal is a “highly customizable analog system for organizing tasks, notes, events, and ideas in a single notebook.” The way I think about it, it’s a clear and concise set of to-do’s and wants, which you are regularly encouraged to check in on your progress, helping you feel more accomplished and creative. Here is what I set up for each month of my bullet journal, which I start on the first day of the month. There are many ways to do this, and I’d recommend checking out some helpful YouTube videos (here is a great example).
Monthly To-Do’s
Some of mine include - take a dance class, finish a book, finish a crochet or knitting project, spend time with a new friend.
Weekly To-Do’s
For this month, I have write at least 5 pages of whatever I choose, cook a new recipe, and take care of some career admin work.
Daily To-Do’s
I’ve started with exercise or walk, get 7 hours of sleep, and read for 30 minutes.
Daily Ideas
I keep these on a separate page after all my to-do’s, and simply write down any fun ideas I have, not necessarily things I’m actioning on, but either funny imaginative thoughts or things I want to do in the future. I wrote down some silly business ideas, pieces of writing I’d like to do, and dates I’d like to plan with my partner to name a few.
Daily Gratitude
This is exactly what it sounds like! Just jot down a thing or two you feel grateful for that day. I find this one seeps into my skin the most significantly.
Things I watched/read/listened to
I like to include little ratings or quick reflections here as well! I consume tons of media / literature and wanted to make a point to spend time recollecting and reflecting on how they made me feel.
End of week/month/quarter reflections
A great time to take any final notes on the to-do’s, how you felt, what went well, what could go better, any other revelations you might come across. I haven’t gotten here yet, but I know this will be a super important step!
As I settle into my own bullet journal and prep for my Misogi, I’m reminded that the best goals are the ones that make us feel more like ourselves. Don't feel pressured to adopt everything at once; even the smallest shift in your daily routine can have a massive ripple effect on your well-being (weekly or monthly bullet journal entries may even be an opportunity to map out all the Ralle events you want to attend!)
Thank you for letting me share my journey with you. We’re rooting for you in every challenge and every quiet moment of gratitude. Let’s make 2026 our most intentional year yet!
Upcoming Event Highlights
New York City
Ralle Track Group 2026, Session 2/4
Jan 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST
McCarren Park Track, 769 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11222, USA
Join us Wednesday at 7pm EST for our weekly interval track workout. Led by former College Soccer Athlete & Ralle Co-Founder, Luke. The workout will change from week to week but will always be a blend of speed work, longer strides, and endurance.
Community Gathering] Ralle x Drawing Room: Yoga & Artmaking
Jan 25, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM EST
Drawing Room Williamsburg, 101 N 10th St #206, Brooklyn, NY 11249, USA
Join us for a Sunday morning of play through movement and art-marking. We’ll start the morning with a restorative yoga & breath work, led by Leah from Ralle Movements, followed by a guided watercoloring session led by the team at Drawing Room.
sweetgreen Union Square Opening Day Event
Jan 31, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM EST
sweetgreen Union Square new location
Group Run, big time sweetgreen giveaways, and a one-of-a-kind grand opening experience for sweetgreen’s brand new Union Square location!
Twin Cities
Yoga + Social at Minneapolis Cider Co 2/1
Feb 01, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM CST
Minneapolis Cider Company, 701 SE 9th St, Minneapolis, MN 55414, USA
A high-energy sculpt yoga class led by Sadie, followed by intentional post-movement connection inside Minneapolis Cider Company’s incredible space.
Have an amazing week,
Ella + The Ralle Team
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