January
2026
the issue at a glance:
Year of Revelations
Step-by-Step Guide to Make 2026 Your Year
Wintering: habits and lifestyle changes to help you embrace the season
Where Viennese Heritage Meets Quiet Luxury: A stay Imperial Riding School
Year of Revelations
At the end of every year, I love to sit down and compare my vision board to my reality, and see the moments that I manifested to life by looking at them on my screensaver every day. In the past, it’s usually been some stranger on an extravagant trip, compared to a photo of my friends and me on a European summer vacation, but this year looked different. As I zoomed into the photos that have subconsciously led me through the year, I felt confused. What did I even try to manifest through some of these photos? Some made sense, but some didn’t. Then I remembered: I was confused. At the beginning of 2025, I didn’t exactly know what lay ahead of me. There were no specific trips planned, no big-picture goal of what my career would look like, but I did know one thing: I wanted to figure it out. I had spent the previous year dipping into different interests and finding what worked and what didn’t, but this year I wanted to dive deeper – to reveal what was “me.” And that I did.
I’m not saying there weren’t a couple of goals that I had in mind. I knew I wanted to continue dancing, to get more into Pilates, to enjoy more moments at home through reading and cooking, and to really regulate my nervous system (we’re not 100% there, but we’ve made some progress). The only clear goal I had for my work was to finally start working with hotels, as I’ve wanted to do for the past three years, which I’m extremely proud of myself for achieving, but beyond that I was lost. I remember when I was creating the board, instead of adding photos of clear goals, I leaned into the confusion by adding photos that evoked a certain feeling of knowing inside of me. For some reason, I felt called to add photos of people collaborating together, of a desk filled with creative ideas and brainstormed thoughts, and a woman focused on her work. While yes, you have to have some level of creativity to be a social media content creator, nothing about TikTok or Instagram requires that amount of time spent working at a desk. It makes me smile to realize now that what I was craving through these photos was routine, creativity, collaboration, and purpose – all things I’ve found in Modéle.
2025 was a year of revelations — of trusting my intuition and looking inward for answers. What was so foggy at the beginning of last year is now clearer than ever, and I feel so excited for the year ahead. My goal for 2026 is to lean into all the learnings of the previous year, to move forward with confidence, and to continue to do the work that fills my cup. Thank you for being a part of that.
You’ll notice this issue looks different than previous months. It’s less focused on fashion and more on lifestyle, just as January always is for me. I use the month as a time to slow down, reflect on the previous year, lean into my winter hobbies, and really think about what I want from the New Year. I’ve set up this issue as a guide in hopes that it encourages you to do the same.
I wish you the happiest New Year, and cheers to another year of challenges, accomplishments, and opportunities.
Step-by-Step guide to make 2026 your year
One thing you should know about me is that I take the New Year very seriously. I believe leaning into the energy of a fresh start is an amazing opportunity to evaluate where you’re at, and plan for where you want to go. For the past three years, I’ve created a vision board for each new year as a visual guidepost for what I want the year to bring. Some of the photos represent a specific goal, some just represent a feeling I’m searching for. But what is absolutely crazy, is at the end of the year when I compare my vision board to my camera roll, I’m always able to find a photo that matches the ones on my board, without even trying. While it’s easy to only think about a new chapter ahead, it is equally important to assess the year before, and understand the current life stage that you’re in. Here is a step-by-step guide of how you’re going to make 2026 the best year ever!
This is the most important step, because if you’re not looking at what your previous year looked like, it’s harder to make realistic goals for the new one. As you think back, I encourage you to sit down and ask yourself a series of questions: What were the challenges? What am I proud of? What were the highs? What were the lows? What did I learn about myself? Author Mel Robbins also talks a lot about new year auditing, and her recommendation is to go through your camera roll as you do this exercise. Your brain forgets a lot, and your camera roll will prove that a lot more happened in a year than you think. By asking yourself these questions and auditing your year, you’ll have a much better idea of what happened in the past, and what you can change in the future.
This podcast is a great resource for auditing your year!
01 Audit the previous year
02 Write down your intentions for 2026
Now that you understand all of the happenings from the year before, you’re going to ask yourself these questions: What are you going to start doing? What are you going to stop doing? What are you going to continue doing? These are also questions based on Mel Robbin’s podcast, and I think they’re a much more intentional way to think about the new year, rather than writing down a list of resolutions. You’re assessing where you’re at and pivoting. I also encourage you to think about how you are going to meet some of these goals. For example, my biggest goal for 2026 is to stop working as a waitress, which has been my part-time job to content creation and blogging for the past two and a half years. But instead of just saying that and hoping it will come true, I am challenging myself to think about the actual steps I can take to meet that goal. This helps you further set up for success.
Time for the fun part! Instead of writing down your intentions and goals for the year in a journal that could potentially sit inside your drawer until the next year (I’m guilty of this), we’re going to create a visual representation of what you want your year to look like. You can do it the old fashioned way, by grabbing magazines, glue, a poster board, and create your board that way, but I like mine to be electronic (you’ll know why in step 4). First, I go to pinterest and find photos that represent specific goals that I have. If I want to plan a trip to the Caribbean, I will type “Caribbean aesthetic” or “beach resort aesthetic” and find photos that resonate with how I envision the trip for myself. I’ll also pick a couple of quotes. Don’t overthink it, just pick what feels right in your gut. Once you have a screenshot of all your photos, go to Canva and create an empty “desktop screensaver” template. Now you just map out the photos however it feels right. This is also a fun activity to do with friends! Just grab your materials, maybe a bottle of wine, and enjoy a relaxing evening planning out the best year ever.
03 Make a Vision Board
04 Make this your Screensaver
Just like the journal, we don’t want this to get filed away on your computer, never to be seen again. Make it your screensaver on every device you have. That way, you’re always looking at this representation of your goals, and I promise it will subconsciously manifest it’s way to life. I’ve proved this to myself every year, and I still get shocked seeing photos from my camera roll that match perfectly to my vision board, without even realizing. Don’t believe me? Scroll down ;)
vision board vs reality2025
Wintering
habits and lifestyle changes to help you embrace the season
At the beginning of 2025, when I was struggling with the annual January winter blues, I started really getting into the idea of “wintering”, and shifting my mindset on how I approach the season. A big part of the inspiration for this shift came from a podcast I listened to with Dr. Kari Leibowitz, social psychologist and author of How to Winter, who spent time living in the Arctic Circle, where the sun doesn’t come out for two months during the winter. She studied the way Norwegians alter their lifestyle to ebb and flow with the dark days, rather than viewing them as a negative thing. She found that people sleep more, they alter their work flow, spend more time indoors relaxing, cook heartier foods, and fully use it as an opportunity to do things they don’t do in the summer. So, instead of finding myself impatiently waiting for spring, and sulking about the cold weather, I decided to embrace winter in the same way. I leaned into hobbies that I don’t make as much time for when it’s summer, when I feel pressured to be outside enjoying the warm sun. And for the first time in my life, I found that I actually enjoyed winter.
Cooking/Baking
I’ve always loved to spend time in the kitchen, but sometimes, especially when I don’t carve out the time for it, it can feel like a chore. Even more in the summer, when I’d rather be sitting out on a patio on a warm evening sipping a glass of white wine at a restaurant. Obviously, I don’t have that option in the winter, but instead I use it as an opportunity to experiment with a new recipe or make that time-consuming meal I’ve been craving. Pick a soup, baked good, or some other cozy dish, put on some jazz, and give yourself the space to enjoy the process. A glass of red is also necessary.
Self-Care Ritual
One thing I rarely make time for in the summer is going to the sauna. I find myself too impatient to spend the time sitting indoors when I could be enjoying the summer day – I mean who needs a sauna when I could go lay by the pool in the humid, Indiana heat? Rather than rushing in and out just to say I did it, I use it as an opportunity to slow down and unwind. I’ll even make it a whole evening event at my gym of working out, sitting in the sauna, soaking in the hot tub, and ending with the steam room and a shower. Even if you don’t have access to these amenities, I encourage you to find an act of self-care, like drawing a bath, that allows your body and mind to relax.
Reading
Winter is the perfect season to make yourself a reader, but there are steps you must take to ensure the vibe is just right. Make a cup of tea, grab your favorite blanket (we all know mine is Lola), put on some instrumental tunes, light a candle, turn off ALL overhead lighting (lamps only), and indulge yourself in a new book or series. And I mean actually indulge. Allow the book to take you into another world. You’ll learn quickly that it’s one of the best feelings. Oh and — bonus points if it’s snowing outside.
Get Outside
I know going outside in negative degree weather doesn’t sound like the best of ideas, but hear me out. If you have the right clothes, you can do anything in the winter. Grab your thermals, scarves, hats, gloves, puffer coat, and breathe in the fresh air, even if it’s just for 10 minutes. Play in the snow, or walk in the sun – you’d be surprised to see what the sun on your skin can do for your mental health. Plus, once you get moving, you’ll realize the cold isn’t that bad (if you’re prepared).
Movement
It’s so much easier to sneak in movement when you’re swimming in the pool, playing tennis, going on a hike, or participating in any summer activities, but the absence of them is a great opportunity to try something new and switch up your routine. Maybe you want to learn about strength training? Or there’s a new workout class you’ve been wanting to try? Last year, during the winter, I got into reformer pilates and found a studio that I love (MVMT House, if you’re local). Trying something new was a great switch of routine that I needed to stay consistent with my fitness goals!
Your “Wintering” Side Kicks
Use code “DARIA” for 35% off Lola Blankets!
A stay at Imperial Riding School in Vienna, Austria
Where Viennese Heritage Meets Quiet Luxury
I keep coming back to the same conclusion: there is no city that honors the beauty of the little things in life quite like Vienna. It has a certain charm that I can never put into words, and the Imperial Riding School mirrors that feeling seamlessly. From a self-care evening in their sauna to a meal in their Elstar restaurant or an afternoon coffee in their beautifully designed lobby, there was luxury in every moment of our stay.
I traveled to Vienna three times in the past year, and I can’t say that my accommodations have always been so luxurious. Picture me and my family crashing at my brother’s loft studio apartment, cramming our suitcases wherever they’ll fit, and fighting over who used the last of the hot water. Even though I love the extra time spent with my family, “Hotel Tim” is not exactly a five-star experience. So when the Imperial Riding School invited Donavan and me to enjoy a couple of nights in our own space with beautiful amenities (and unlimited hot water) during our most recent family trip in December, I couldn’t pack my bags fast enough.
If you ask me, the greatest luxury in an accommodation is simple: space. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been deceived by a hotel’s or Airbnb’s website photos, thinking it will be much bigger than it actually is. That is not the case with Imperial Riding School. In fact, it might even be the opposite. As you walk into the hotel, the lobby is filled with beautiful vaulted ceilings and grand archways (a detail preserved from the building’s original purpose as a 19th-century military riding school), a coffee bar, a restaurant, and numerous areas to sit and enjoy the buzz of the hotel. The design is absolutely stunning, a perfect blend of Viennese heritage and contemporary flair that honors the building’s history while embracing its evolution.
The same can be said for our room as well. We stayed in the Superior King Room, and it was the perfect amount of space for both Donavan and me. The room was equipped with everything we needed: the most comfortable king bed, a cozy breakfast nook, a wardrobe, a designated spot for my oversized suitcase, and, most importantly, a bathroom big enough for me (and my three cosmetic bags) to comfortably get ready. It felt like our own calm corner of the city.
It’s no secret that I’m a big foodie, especially when I travel, and Imperial Riding School’s Elstar Restaurant definitely won over the food snob in me. Every morning, we indulged in one of the most impressive continental breakfasts I’ve ever seen. They had nearly every breakfast food you could imagine: yogurt, granola, smoothies, breads, pastries, cured meats and cheese, lox, dips, hummus, pancakes, eggs, sausage… if you could think of it, it was probably there. One evening, Donavan and I decided to stay in the hotel and enjoy dinner in the Elstar Restaurant, and it was just as exceptional. As tradition during a hotel collaboration, we began the meal with two glasses of Prosecco to celebrate. The menu, much like the hotel, mirrors both past and present, honoring traditional Viennese dishes with a modern spin. We ordered burrata as an appetizer, which was so fresh and flavorful, something I always notice about food in Europe compared to the States. For entrees, I got the salmon, perfectly paired with scallops and lemon velouté, and Donavan enjoyed the fillet, which came with a side of homemade chimichurri sauce. While the crème brûlée was calling my name as my after-dinner sweet treat, I just couldn’t find room for it. I regret that now.
The food, the space, and the interiors are all exceptional, but my absolute favorite part of Imperial Riding School is the amenities: the pool, fitness center, and sauna. And no, I’m not just talking about one small sauna. They have an entire area with both a Finnish and infrared sauna, a steam room, a cold plunge, and showers to rinse off before and after. Remember when I said the best luxury is space? The fitness center is divided into two separate rooms: one for machines and treadmills, and one for mat work. Even during your workout, you have enough room to enjoy it without feeling like you have to cram. The pool is exceptionally clean and the perfect size for a quick dip (or even a little nap in one of the cabanas). There is nothing better than self-care while traveling—starting your day with a workout and a light swim, and ending it with a trip to the sauna. And let me just say, you’ve never truly enjoyed the warmth and relaxation of a sauna until after you’ve walked 15,000 steps in thirty-degree weather.
If at this point you can’t tell how obsessed I am with our stay at Imperial Riding School, I’m not sure what else I could tell you. Maybe that the staff was just as perfect as the rest of our stay. They were so friendly, helpful, and ready to accommodate any of our needs, and they truly pulled the entire experience together. So the next time you find yourself searching for a tranquil, luxurious retreat in the heart of Vienna, I’ve already found it for you… and no, I’m not talking about “Hotel Tim.”
Modéle
January 2026
Creator & Editor
Daria Afshar
Creative Assistant
Donavan McClintick
Contributers
Photographers
Donavan McClintick
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Imperial Riding School
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