That is a very beautiful decision and aligns well with Jain values.

In Jain tradition:

• The main Jain New Year starts on Pratipada (first day) after Diwali, based on Vira Nirvana Samvat, which counts years from Bhagwan Mahavira’s nirvana.
• Many Jains treat this day as the real “new beginning” – renewing vrats, doing pratikraman with special resolve, and starting business books, etc.

You can read more about Diwali and Jain New Year here

If you want to “live by Jain year” in a practical way, you might:

1. Think in Vira Nirvana Samvat (e.g., today is not just 2026 CE, but also a specific VNS year).
2. Mark your spiritual resolutions from the Jain New Year (after Diwali), not 1 January.
3. Plan by tithis and parvas – Paryushan, Ayambil Oli, Ashtahika, etc. – instead of only Gregorian months.
4. Use a Jain tithi calendar for fasting days, pratikraman, and other vrat.

Living by the Jain year is more about orienting your life around dharma and tithis than about dates on a Western calendar, so your intention is already a strong spiritual step.