Slow Living

Staying Positive in January

Posted on January 7, 2019

I know that I am not alone in thinking that January is one of the hardest months of the year to get through. All the festive cheer of the holidays are behind you, the decorations are down, it’s usually just as cold and slightly rainer and the nights are still long and daylight short. Plus there’s not a Bank Holiday in sight.

I would find Late November-December difficult, but I’m so distracted by festive fun and time off work that it rushes by. Those post-holiday blues can be killer though. The full weight of winter and SAD coming crashing down on my shoulders as soon as January 1st is done and dusted.

For me, February is so short that it doesn’t stress me out as much and March? Well, March is basically spring in my eyes – light length at least, if not weather permitting. But January. Oh January. My old foe.

So this year, I am going to find the joy and positivity in January with some simple tasks. Maybe you’d like to join in!

Staying Positive in January Tasks

1 January: Go for a long walk or hike outside.
2 January: Read for 20 minutes before bed.
3 January: Take a bath whilst slathering on a facemask.
4 January: Write thank you letters for any Christmas gifts you may have received.
5 January: Do a full hour of yoga.
6 January: Take my morning cup of coffee outside on a walk.
7 January: Meditate for 3 minutes. Start small. Download the Headspace app if you need help.
8 January: Listen to a podcast whilst cooking dinner.
9 January: Apply a fresh coat of nail polish/varnish.
10 January: Eat a rainbow of vegetables.
11 January: Creative a positive affirmation to use every morning for the rest of the month.
12 January: Have breakfast / brunch at a new (to you) cafe.
13 January: Spend 1 hour decluttering.
14 January: Go on a run before starting work (or a walk if running isn’t for you)
15 January: Stay off your mobile phone for one full evening as soon as work is over.
16 January: Buy yourself a plant or small succulent.
17 January: Message a friend to make plans to meet up.
18 January: Go to the theatre: be it a local community show or something grand on the West End. Studies have shown that people are 3rd happiest at the theatre (behind sex and exercise).
19 January: Go on a mini-adventure where you live (a museum exhibit, an art walk around town.)
20 January: Wash all your bed linens.
21 January: Drink a glass of kombucha.
22 January: Go to bed early enough to ensure 8 hours of sleep.
23 January: Light a few candles and listen to one whole album with your favourite beverage post-dinner.
24 January: Don’t watch any telly/Netflix/films.
25 January: Have a 5 minute dance party in your room before getting dressed for the day.
26 January: Bake some bread.
27 January: Try a new hobby.
28 January: Give yourself a footrub or soak your feet in a small footbath with Epsom salt before your nightly pre-bed routine.
29 January: Drink 6-8 8oz glasses of water throughout the day.
30 January: Don’t eat lunch at your desk
31 January: Write a list of every amazing thing you’ve done this month plus anything that has occurred that’s made you happy.