How I'm Going to Use AI to Clear Mental Space Before the New Year
A simple reset that will help me close the year without burnout.
The space between Christmas and New Year’s is weird. You’re not fully working, but you’re also not fully resting. You’re thinking about what comes next, but you haven’t let go of what just happened. And if you are like me, your brain is cluttered with half-finished projects, lingering tasks, and ideas that never quite got fully formed.
Today I want to share with you how I’ll use AI to help me clear mental space in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. I’ll focus on creating clarity so I can enter the new year with a clean slate and a calm mind. Here’s exactly how I’ll do it.
Step 1: Brain Dump Everything That Didn’t Get Done
I’ll open a blank document and dump everything. Every unfinished project, every idea I never executed, every task I meant to do but didn’t, every commitment I made that fell through. No judgment, no shame - just get it all out.
This takes as long as it takes - I have a feeling I’m going to be spending an hour this year really compiling all the ideas I had in 2025. In the end I’ll have a messy, chaotic list of everything my brain has been holding onto. Then I’ll hand it to AI.
Prompt:
“Here’s everything I didn’t finish this year. I need you to categorize this into three lists: (1) Things that still matter and should move to 2026, (2) Things I need to officially let go of, (3) Things I should delegate or automate. Knowing everything you know about me and what I’m currently trying to create, be ruthlessly honest with me about what’s worth keeping and what needs to get the axe.”
AI will come back with a clear breakdown in about 30 seconds. And here’s what I’m expecting to happen: I’ll instantly feel lighter. Because half of what I’ve been carrying doesn’t actually matter anymore, but I never gave myself permission to let it go.
Step 2: Process What Actually Needs to Carry Forward
Next I’ll look at the “Things that still matter” list and I’ll ask AI one more question:
Prompt:
“For each item that still matters, tell me: (1) Why this is worth doing in 2026, (2) How this fits in the ecosystem of what I’m working towards in 2026 (3) What the first step would be, (4) Whether this should be a Q1 priority or something I tackle later in the year.”
This will keep me from carrying forward tasks just because they existed. AI will force me to justify why something is still worth my time, energy, and attention. If I can’t come up with a good reason? It goes in the “let go” pile.
Step 3: Officially Let Go
Here’s the part most people skip: you have to actually release what you’re not doing. I’ll take everything in the “let go” category and I’ll write a short note to myself. Something like:
“I’m officially letting go of [project/idea/commitment]. It made sense at the time, but it doesn’t serve me now. I’m releasing it without guilt.”
Then I’ll delete it from my task list, close the file, and move on. This sounds simple, but it’s incredibly freeing. It’s a conscious decision to stop carrying something that no longer serves you without leaving any loose ends.
Step 4: Set Up My 2026 Systems
Then once I know what’s actually moving forward, I’ll use AI to help me set up the systems I’ll need in January. I’ll ask:
Prompt:
“Based on these priorities, help me design a simple weekly structure for January that balances execution, working out, rest, and family time. I don’t want to overcommit. I want sustainable momentum.”
AI will give me a realistic weekly framework. I’ll adjust it based on my rhythms, and then I’ll save it as a template I can use starting January 6th (I don’t start hard on January 1st - that’s a setup for burnout).
Step 5: Write My New Year Intentions
Here’s the final step, and it’s the one that will actually ground everything. Instead of goals, I’ll write intentions.
Prompt:
“Based on what I’m carrying forward into 2026, write three intentions that reflect how I want to show up this year. Make them grounded, actionable, and aligned with my values.”
AI will give me three clear, focused intentions that feel true. AI just creates the outline and suggestions. Then it’s my turn to get really specific and detailed and write them out in my own words. I’ll write them down and put them somewhere I’ll see them every day. These aren’t things I’ll check off a list. They will serve as daily reminders of who I want to be as I build, create, and lead in 2026.
What This Will Actually Do
This process will take a couple of hours if I’m being thorough. And what it will give me is clarity - not pressure, not a massive to-do list, not a dozen new goals I’ll abandon by February.
I’ll have clarity on what I’m letting go of, what I’m carrying forward, and how I want to show up. I’ll be entering the new year with a calm uncluttered mind.
That’s worth a few hours of my time.
If You Want to Do This Yourself
You don’t need fancy tools or a perfect system. You just need:
A place to brain dump (notes app, Google Doc, pen and paper)
An AI tool (ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini - free versions work fine)
A couple of hours of uninterrupted time
Permission to let things go
That’s it. Run through the five steps. Adjust them to fit your life. And give yourself the gift of entering 2026 without carrying all of 2025’s unfinished business on your back.
You deserve that.
xoxo -Leah