Kristina's Monthly Note: January

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As January 2026 comes to an end, I’ve been thinking about how we start a new year and how we try to change things in our lives in ways that actually last.

January is often full of good intentions. We decide to move more, eat healthier, take better care of ourselves, or shift the way we work and live. And yet, building new habits is hard. Changing things takes real effort, and we struggle with it, not because we don’t care, but often because the habits we try to build ask too much, too fast.

In my personal experience, I’ve learned that habits stick best when they’re designed to be enjoyable and supportive, not demanding. That philosophy shows up in how we think about posture and alignment at Etalon. When something feels good to wear - when it supports you instead of forcing you - it becomes easier to come back to it. That’s how new habits form: not through willpower alone, but through thoughtful design that makes consistency feel natural.

This month, we interviewed Ergonomist Alison Heller-Ono and Life Coach Gaia Toscano - two amazing Etalon women we truly admire. Their perspectives felt especially relevant as we move through the beginning of the year.

Coach Gaia shared thoughtful insights on avoiding the overwhelm that January can bring and the importance of boundaries. “The most common 'boundary slouches' I see in women are the tendency to prioritize everyone else’s needs over their own and saying 'yes' when they truly want to say 'no.'” As she put it, “the practice of saying no” can be one of the most powerful ways to protect your energy and stay aligned with what actually matters.

G: Say “No”! Say no at least once a week—or better yet, once a day. It is a small boundary that can be set concisely—in fact, "No" can be a complete sentence. The key is to be clear about our needs and state them calmly but firmly. You don't need to provide a long explanation. You can set boundaries with compassion for others and for yourself. It can be a "no" to a date because you’re tired, or a "no" to washing the dishes because you need a bath. It doesn't matter how small the "no" is, as long as you practice it. A little discomfort at the beginning will go a long way toward your long-term peace.

Meanwhile, Alison, who holds a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and is a Certified Professional Ergonomist, reminded us that posture doesn’t need to be rigid or serious to be effective. One of our favorite takeaways from her was this simple, playful advice for healthy posture: the “Sit, Stand, Move, and Groove cycle.” 

We love how approachable and realistic that mindset is - because real alignment happens through movement and variety, not perfection.

A: People sit too long; they sit poorly with unsupported postures! Learn to sit correctly in the chair you have. Also, get up more often, at least 2-4 times/hour. Sitting for more than an hour without an interruption is too much. Frequent movement patterns from sit-to-stand to walk to intermittent stretching are needed for our bodies to stay healthy. I like to call it the “Sit, Stand, Move and Groove” cycle!

As we close out January, I hope whatever intentions you set at the start of this year still feel possible. And if something already feels hard to maintain, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It might simply mean the habit needs to be redesigned to better support you.

Our goal at Etalon is to make alignment something you can return to easily - something that feels supportive, enjoyable, and sustainable for your body, mind, and spirit.

Thank you for starting 2026 with us. We’re so grateful to be part of your journey.

With all my support,

Kristina + The Etalon Team

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