Hi everyone! We’re CHIU STYLE.
The new year has just begun, and in the blink of an eye, January is already quietly slipping away. Are you still savoring that burst of energy and excitement from the start of the year? Do you remember those little wishes you secretly made in your heart on January 1st—whether it was losing weight, exercising more, saving money, finding the right person, or switching jobs? Looking back, some of those wishes might have quietly been pushed into the corner of everyday life, almost forgotten even by yourself.
Don’t worry—we’re not here to judge anyone or tell you “you can’t do it.” This article is all about gently helping you rediscover that original spark of motivation, in a lighter, more soothing way, step by step guiding you toward the things that truly matter to you.
Before we dive in, how about brewing a cup of Caramelized Orange Black Tea? Its soft caramel-orange aroma, one gentle sip, and it’s like the weight on your shoulders just melts away. Or, grab a Caramelized Orange Black Tea Madeleine made with this tea—the edges lightly crisp, the inside moist and tender, with the orange fragrance slowly blooming in your mouth, like giving yourself a warm, comforting hug.
Sip the tea, nibble on a little treat, and let me share some stories with you, okay?
New Year’s Wishes and That Tiny Spark of Courage
When the new year begins, the streets of New York are filled with people who’ve just made their resolutions. Some are determined to lose 20 kilograms, some vow to find their soulmate, and some are ready to make their careers explode—2026 feels like a completely fresh start for them.
Yet, reality quietly tests us. Studies show that as many as 79% of New Yorkers didn’t even believe in their resolutions from the very beginning, and across the U.S., only about 9% actually manage to stick with them until the end of the year.
Have you heard some of last year’s real-life stories? There was a woman who finally let go of friends who had repeatedly betrayed her and instead chose to spend her time with people who genuinely valued her. Another person got dumped on New Year’s Day, but rather than feeling heartbroken, she felt a sense of relief. She decided that in 2026, she would put herself first and truly learn to love herself. A mother shared the long and difficult journey she had faced with infertility, and the moment she held her baby in her arms, every struggle and setback suddenly felt completely worth it. There was also a young man who couldn’t find a job; he and a friend decided to crash a Happy Hour party at a major New York company, and in a surprising turn of events, he ended up receiving a job offer.
Small Steps Can Make Your Wishes Achievable
Many people, when faced with goals like “lose 10 kilograms,” “wake up early to read every day,” or “completely transform my career,” often have the first thought: “Didn’t I give up last time? Can I really do this?” This kind of self-doubt quietly kills the initial motivation to take action.
It’s a lot like falling in love. The more you worry, “What if I get rejected?” or “I’m not good enough, they won’t like me,” the harder it becomes to take that very first step. But when you quietly tell yourself, “How will I know if I don’t try?” or “I deserve to be treated well,” you naturally lift your head, smile a little, and opportunities begin to appear.
So, the real meaning of New Year’s resolutions isn’t whether you “succeed” or not—it’s whether you’re willing to give yourself the chance to believe in yourself first. It’s not about waiting until everything is perfect to start, but first trusting that you are “worth starting for,” and then taking gentle steps forward, one at a time.
A Warm Little Ritual with Tea and Treats
If you want to make your wishes feel easier to achieve, you can start with some simple “small rituals.” And this is where tea and treats can become your secret weapon.
I recommend Caramelized Orange Black Tea and the Madeleines made with it.
🍊🫖 Caramelized Orange Black Tea Madeleines (about 12–16 pieces)
Ingredients
Tea Infusion:
- 5 g Caramelized Orange Black Tea leaves
- 120 ml hot water (brew a slightly strong tea and let it cool)
Madeleine Batter:
- 100 g unsalted butter
- 2 whole eggs (room temperature)
- 90 g granulated sugar
- 20 g honey (for extra moisture and caramel flavor)
- 110 g cake flour
- 3 g baking powder
- A pinch of salt
- 40 ml tea infusion
- Zest of 1 orange
Instructions
Start by preparing the tea infusion: brew 5 g of tea leaves in 120 ml of hot water for 5–6 minutes, take 40 ml for the recipe, and let it cool. Next, make the brown butter by gently heating the butter until it turns light brown and gives off a nutty aroma, then let it cool to warm. Mix the whole eggs with sugar and honey until combined, then fold in the orange zest and salt. Add the cooled brown butter and tea infusion, mixing gently. Sift in the cake flour and baking powder, folding until there are no dry spots, but be careful not to overmix. Cover the batter with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3–12 hours, to ensure the Madeleines develop their classic hump.
Preheat the oven to 190°C. Brush the molds with butter and lightly dust with flour. Fill each mold about 80–90% full and bake for 10–12 minutes until golden and puffed. Gently tap the molds and remove the Madeleines immediately to prevent moisture from making them soggy.
Brew a cup of tea, take a bite of a Madeleine, and slowly, gently give yourself a reason to start.
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New Year’s goals don’t have to be perfect, and there’s no need to rush as if you can achieve everything at once. First, give yourself the permission to believe in yourself, and then take each step slowly. Every small action is worth celebrating.
Enjoying tea and treats along the way can bring warmth to this journey—sometimes, that’s the simplest and most effective form of encouragement in progress.
At CHIU STYLE, we update our blog every Wednesday and Friday. You can also visit our YouTube channel to watch more videos and explore the little joys and fun moments in life with us, one step at a time.