Small Ancestral Swaps for the New Year That Actually Last

The start of a new year often comes with pressure to overhaul everything at once. New routines. New rules. New expectations. But the practices that tend to stick are rarely the loud dramatic ones. They are the quiet shifts we return to day after day.

Ancestral living is not about perfection or going backwards. It is about choosing time tested practices that support the body and nervous system in simple practical ways. Instead of resolutions that burn out by February consider a few intentional swaps that feel nourishing rather than restrictive.

Here are some small ancestral inspired changes you can ease into this year. No extremes required.

Swap modern cooking oils for traditional fats and cook from scratch more often

One of the simplest places to start is the kitchen.

Many modern seed oils are highly processed and unstable at high heat. Cooking fats like tallow, butter and olive oil were used for generations because they are stable, nourishing and deeply satisfying.

Tallow and butter are rich in fat soluble vitamins and saturated fats that support hormones, health and satiety. They also have a higher smoke point making them more suitable for cooking. Olive and avocado oils offer their own benefits and work well for lower heat cooking and finishing.

Cooking with these fats naturally encourages cooking from scratch even if meals are simple. A few real ingredients prepared at home often require less effort than packaged foods and give you full control over what goes into your body. A pot of potatoes roasted in tallow or vegetables sautéed in butter can be both deeply nourishing and uncomplicated.

This does not have to be all or nothing. Start by replacing the oil you cook with most often. We love cooking with tallow like this grass fed and finished option available here.

Swap conventional skincare for tallow based care

Our skin absorbs what we put on it yet many conventional products are filled with synthetic fragrances, preservatives and fillers that do little for long term skin health.

Tallow has been used for centuries as a skin protectant and moisturizer. Its fatty acid profile closely resembles our own skin making it deeply nourishing and supportive rather than disruptive.

The next time you run out of body lotion try a tallow balm instead. Need a makeup remover? Use tallow. Lip balm? Tallow works beautifully even in the harshest winter conditions.

Not only is tallow balm clean and nourishing but one balm can replace several products already being used. Try whipped or solid tallow here.

Swap one cup of coffee for a cup of broth

Coffee is a ritual as much as a beverage. The warmth. The pause. The comfort. Bone broth offers that same grounding ritual with added nourishment.

A cup of broth provides protein, minerals and hydration. All things the body especially craves during the colder months. It warms you from the inside out and supports joints, digestion and immune health.

If swapping out coffee feels like too much simply add a cup of broth to your day. Mid morning or afternoon are great times. Powdered broths like these beef and chicken options make it even easier.

Prioritize morning light and earlier evenings when possible

Before artificial lighting, humans rose with the sun and wound down as daylight faded. While modern life does not always allow this rhythm, small adjustments can still make a meaningful difference.

Getting outside in the morning even for a few minutes helps regulate circadian rhythm, support hormone balance and improve sleep quality. Natural light early in the day sends a clear signal to the body that it is time to be awake and alert.

Likewise, creating earlier, calmer evenings supports deeper rest. Dimming lights after sunset, limiting screens, wearing blue light blocking glasses and allowing the body to ease into sleep can feel surprisingly restorative over time.

Choose natural fibers like wool and cotton over synthetics where you can

For most of human history clothing was made from natural materials. Wool, cotton linen and leather breathed with the body, regulated temperature and aged beautifully with wear.

Synthetic fibres often trap heat, create static and introduce plastics directly against the skin. Choosing natural fibres where possible can improve comfort, warmth and breathability especially in colder months.

Wool in particular offers remarkable benefits. It regulates temperature, keeps you warm even when damp and lasts for years when cared for properly. And is a fully biodegradable fabric that returns to the earth when it is no longer wearable. This shift does not require replacing everything at once. Start with one garment or accessory you reach for often.

Replace scented candles and plug ins with simmer pots and beeswax candles

Many homes are filled with artificial scents from candles, sprays and plug ins. While they smell pleasant, they often introduce synthetic fragrances into the air we breathe daily.

An ancestral alternative is a simple simmer pot. Orange or lemon peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves and herbs gently heated on the stove fill the home with a warm natural scent.

Using 100 percent beeswax candles is also a beautiful option. Beeswax burns cleanly, produces a soft natural light and emits a subtle honey like aroma without added fragrance. Unlike conventional candles, beeswax does not rely on synthetic scents and has been used for centuries to light homes naturally.

Spend more time outdoors even in winter

Fresh air was once unavoidable. Today it often requires intention especially during winter.

Bundling up and stepping outside (with your woollen base layers!) even briefly offers powerful benefits. Cold air can feel invigorating, improve circulation and clear the mind.

This does not require long hikes or extreme cold exposure. A short walk standing outside with a warm drink or simply breathing deeply in the cold air can be enough.

Small changes add up

You do not need to change everything to change something meaningful. One swap can become a habit and one habit can reshape a routine. And routines are what truly carry us through the year.

This new year consider choosing better not more. Choose practices that feel grounding supportive and sustainable. The kind our ancestors relied on not because they were trendy but because they worked.