January on Social Media:

What to Post When Everyone’s Starting Over

An AI generated drawing of a girl looking at a calendar

January is not the month for shouting.It’s the month for re-introducing yourself — to your audience and to yourself.

People arrive in January a little tired, a little hopeful, and very resistant to being sold to. The most effective social media strategy right now isn’t more noise; it’s thoughtful presence.

This is a month for clarity, consistency, and calm.

Start with tone, not tactics

Before planning content calendars or chasing trends, consider how January feels.

This is a good month for:

• process over polish

• questions over declarations

• consistency over virality

  
  

Think invitation, not announcement.

pen and paper drawing

Key January dates to keep in mind (and how to use them)

January 1 — New Year’s DayInstead of resolutions, consider sharing:

• one word you’re carrying into the year

• a lesson you’re leaving behind

• a quiet intention for your work

This sets the tone without pressure.

January 11 — National Thank You Day (UK & international)

A simple, human moment to acknowledge collaboration, support, or community.

This is a good day to:

• thank a mentor, collaborator, or client

• reflect on gratitude in your creative or professional life

• highlight the unseen work behind what you do

Gratitude posts perform well when they’re specific and sincere. If you've read this far and you know me personally, you know that I place a tremendous amount of importance on gratitude - it is something that I believe in greatly - no dinner at my house starts without stating what we are thankful for!

January 14 — National Dress Up Your Pet Day (UK & international)This one works best if you already share personal or behind-the-scenes moments.

Consider:

• a light, playful post featuring your pet

• a reflection on companionship, routine, or care

• a reminder that creative lives are built around real lives. Humour and warmth are welcome here — especially in January, my dog, @Patashuthewestie is particularly excited about this day...not.

  

  A dog in a ghost costume

January (all month)

Fresh start energy

January doesn’t need a hook — it is the hook.

Post ideas that work well:

• “What I’m focusing on this month”

• “What clarity looks like for me right now”

• “What I’m simplifying this year”

Audiences respond well to restraint in January. Less sparkle, more substance.

Mid-January

Momentum check

Around the middle of the month, motivation often dips.

This is a strong moment for connection.

Consider sharing:

• a reminder that progress isn’t linear

• a behind-the-scenes look at how you actually work

• a reflective question (What’s working? What’s not?)

  
  

Honesty builds trust here.

January 17 — Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day (UK & international)A favourite for anyone allergic to perfection.

Good angles:

• releasing unrealistic expectations

• choosing sustainability over pressure

• reframing progress as consistency, not intensity

This is a strong moment for reassurance and honesty.

Dr. Marin Luuther King, Jr.

January 20 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US)

If you choose to acknowledge the day, do so thoughtfully.

This is a moment for:

• reflection over opinion

• listening over commentary

• values over volume

If it doesn’t align authentically with your voice or work,

it’s also okay to remain silent.

January 24 — International Day of EducationParticularly relevant if you work with schools, students, or emerging leaders.

You might reflect on:

• learning outside traditional classrooms

• mentorship and lifelong education

• what education has given you beyond credentials

This pairs well with storytelling and personal experience.

If you're in the UK...

January 25 — Burns Night (UK)

Burns Night is a natural moment to reflect on voice, heritage, and storytelling.

Rather than leaning into tradition for tradition’s sake, consider posting about:

• the stories that shape who you are

• the role of language, culture, or place in your work

• how personal history influences creative identity

This can be as simple as a short reflection on why stories matter — and how they travel with us across borders.

Burns Night lends itself especially well to audiences interested in creativity, literature, identity, and belonging.

January 26 — International Day of Clean Energy

If you touch on values, responsibility, or long-term thinking, this can be a subtle fit.

Approach thoughtfully:

• focus on stewardship and future-mindedness

• connect values to action

• avoid heavy commentary unless it’s genuinely aligned

Late January — Looking ahead

As the month closes, people begin to lift their heads again.

Good end-of-month posts include:

• what you’re building this year

• what conversations you’re opening

• what you’re quietly available for

  
  

This is a natural time to mention upcoming work, speaking, or projects —

without fanfare.

A simple January posting rhythm

If you want structure without stress:

• one post per week is enough

• rotate between reflection, process, and invitation

Consistency builds trust faster than frequency.

One final thought

January isn’t about proving anything.It’s about setting the emotional temperature for the year ahead.

Show up calmly. Speak clearly. Let people find you again.

That is more than enough.