You don't need me to tell you that January is a pretty depressing time of year. For me, it's nothing to do with the usual complaints about cold weather and nobody wanting to go out: I relish a grey, drizzly day spent indoors with a hot drink, and I don't want to go out at the best of times... Personally, it's more about the fact that Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year, and I adore the autumnal months beforehand. Nothing makes me happier than baking a pumpkin pie in October, watching fireworks on a crisp November night, or cradling a mulled wine by the fire in December. So in January, I get pretty sad that Christmas is a distant memory and it seems an age before it will come around again. Even though it's my birthday in January (which was fun!) I still feel like there is little to look forward to.
It didn't help that this year I had the most relaxing two week break from work over Christmas, in which I totally switched off, spent my days baking bread, knitting, going for cold walks followed by hot baths, spending all day with my cat, and generally doing everything that fills me up and brings me joy. So the harsh bump back down to the ground when I returned to work on 6th January felt even more tough. I immediately returned to an onslaught of tasks, tight deadlines, long hours and a very intense week of work travel to Switzerland.
So in case you're feeling a similar slump in mood at the moment, I thought I would share some of the ways in which I am bringing a little bit of joy back into January.
Give yourself something to look forward to every day
This is the second year in which I have bought two beauty advent calendars: one to open every day in December, and one which I save and open every day in January. Mine is from John Lewis, and full of decadent treats. Having a little joyful surprise which I look forward to opening each morning makes it that little bit easier to get out of bed when it's freezing and I've got nine meetings that day. The best part is, they all get reduced in mid-December, so you can snap up a bargain. You can even still find some in the sales now; why not try this Clarins one, reduced from £60 to £39?
Treat yourself to little indulgences
Personally I never understand why people choose January to go on a harsh diet or give something up, such as dry January. This time of year is depressing enough without depriving yourself of the things that make you happy. I'm not saying you shouldn't pursue the goals you have, but be kind to yourself. For example, I do a 5k Park Run every Saturday morning, which can be tough to drag myself out of bed for in the winter. So when I get back I reward myself with a hot bath followed by a croissant or a cinnamon bun (both of which I buy frozen and keep for those moments when I need them!) I also stock up on a few of my favourite Gü hot chocolate soufflé puddings, and if I've had a particularly stressful day I know I can look forward to one for dessert. Figure out the little things that make you happy and embed them into your January routine.
Make your home feel like a spa
I don't know about you, but my number one favourite place in the world has to be a decadent spa. The feeling of total relaxation, the hot fluffy towels, and most of all the heady comforting scents. So I try to replicate that environment in my home as much as possible. I have a lot of evening baths in January, and I always turn on my heated towel rail and put my pyjamas on it as well. The feeling of stepping out of hot scented water into soft, warm clothes is surely unbeatable. I use plenty of bath oils (my favourite for spa-like scents is Aromatherapy Associates*), room spray (obsessed with this Aesop one*) and of course, scented candles (right now I am loving this Essence + Alchemy one, complete with a wood wick that crackles like a tiny fire). Block out an evening to sit in the bath with a glass of wine, face mask on, doing absolutely nothing.
Make a list of things that make you smile, and do one each day
Mine includes my cat (duh), my favourite podcasts and comedy shows, clothes that I love wearing, plus the aforementioned edible treats. If I'm feeling like I really don't want to get out of bed in the morning, I take a look at the list and pick out at least one of the things to make a part of my day. Putting on my favourite outfit and listening to an episode of "My Dad Wrote a Porno" can lift my spirits on even the grimmest of mornings. If all else fails, I defy you to feel miserable after watching an episode of Miranda.
Don't make plans if you don't want to
The best thing about January is that nobody expects you to go out and be sociable. So don't! (Unless that makes you happy, of course!) The cold and rainy weather also gives you the ideal excuse to stay indoors. For me, I relish the fact that nobody will bat an eyelid if I turn down a request to meet up with "Sorry, I just want to have a cosy one at home this weekend". Wasting a Saturday taking a usually delayed train into London, spending lots of money and fighting with the crowds is something I could really do without right now. Catch-ups can wait until February. Block out your calendar with an appointment called "me time" if that helps you to remember not to needlessly say yes to plans, and just generally lean into the lack of obligation to do anything you don't want to do.
And if all else fails, at least it's not long until February now...
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