We’ve all been there in January – setting ourselves big goals for the year and then feeling pretty overwhelmed when it comes to the actual doing bit. And that’s before we even get into how grey, drawn out, and unexciting January has the potential to be. That’s why I now like to take a gentler approach and focus on small, easily achievable things that will reap big benefits and get me in a good headspace for the year ahead.
Here are 5 things that I’m doing this month that I hope can help you start your year well too:
Spend time in nature
I’m pretty confident that you knew this was going to feature on my list! I work completely from home and could easily go stark raving mad from being sat at my computer from morning till night. I therefore make a point of ensuring I go outside at least once a day. For me, this is often taking Rupert through the fields my house overlooks but even just having a wander around your garden with a cup of tea is beneficial.
I used to dread the cold and grey of winter but I’ve since reframed my relationship with the season. Getting a dog meant it was pretty necessary to find the joy in all kinds of weather events to be honest! I now look forward to getting wrapped up in my winter attire (after all, there’s no thing as bad weather – just bad clothing!) and feeling the morning chill against my cheeks when I step outside, as it means I get the privilege of seeing the nearby woodland looking like Narnia. Everything is that bit quieter, sleepier.
Nature is a quiet constant in an ever-changing, loud world and really does have so many mental health benefits. And let’s not forget that even a grey day will assist with our bodies creating Vitamin D, which is important for physical health too.
Make plans
This is a big one for me throughout the year and not just January but I feel like this is when it can be most vital. Let’s be honest: by mid-January it can feel like Groundhog Day. It’s the month that seems to have no end and, without feeling like good things are coming up, the January blues can creep in.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s the perfect time to press pause if you have had a hectic December. What I’m talking about here is setting plans, even if you just write it down and don’t take care of any of the practicalities right now, for the months ahead so you have things to look forward to.
It can be as simple as setting a date to do something fun with friends or looking for some travel inspiration online. A few months ago I booked a February trip to Edinburgh as I knew this would help with getting through this never-ending ‘nothingy’ month. I’m now spending January excited!
Learn something new
Anyone who knows me knows I have a (okay, several!) rather large piles of books that I need to get round to reading. Rather than just focusing on fiction, January is a great time to learn something new through reading or listening to an audio book.
I’m really interested in being more connected to nature and being able to ‘read’ it better when I’m out in the countryside like our ancestors once did, so I am loving Wild Signs and Star Paths by Tristan Gooley. It’s a really lovely one to read in bed before lights out. I’m also working hard on improving my nutrition so I’ve been reading Ultra-Processed People by Chris van Tulleken which I definitely recommend if you’re wanting to improve your health too this year.
Declutter by having a clear out
It sounds boring, I know, but I’ve already seen the mental and financial benefit of sorting out my wardrobe and selling what I no longer wear through Vinted (now to resist spending the money I’ve made on tea and books…) I’m a maximalist who has accepted I’ll never be a minimalist but I do want to be able to see the wood for the trees when I’m trying to find something. I also like to donate to a local charity shop, so others benefit from my declutter too!
The clear out doesn’t just need to be limited to your wardrobe, either. Why not tackle your overflowing bookcase (we all have books we probably won’t ever read again), makeup drawer, etc etc.
Doing this also has the benefit of coming across things you completely forgot you even had. I’ve rediscovered a thing or two lately which hadn’t seen the light of day in a while!
Dedicate time to self care
Many of us are guilty of not taking time for ourselves (trust me, I know finding the time can be a challenge in itself!) but your wellbeing and happiness are worth prioritising. By doing things that enable you to take time out, you could have less stress, improved health, and a better quality of life in general.
Here are my tips when it comes to self care:
- Ask for help. We often try but the reality is that none of us can do everything. Asking for help could look like hiring a cleaner or gardener, asking a colleague to help out with a big piece of work, or anything else that alleviates some burden from you.
- Spread the time out. Whilst it would be great, don’t worry about always needing to take big blocks of time. A short walk when you finish work, reading a chapter of a book, having a bubble bath in that spare hour…Make it work for yourself. Those little ‘you’ moments will soon add up and impact on your relaxation and wellbeing.
- Get into a great sleep rhythm. Sleep is so, so important. It sounds obvious but in our busy modern lives it’s something that can easily fall by the wayside. Going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time (yup, even on weekends!) has been shown to help with insomnia and gets us into a better sleep rhythm in general. It can take days or even weeks to see a difference but when you prioritise sleep, you’re essentially prioritising your self care.
