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Original poster

How to make January more bearable?

62 replies

chippytea33 · 29/12/2024 22:15

Just looking for tips really to make January feel a bit easier. We've had a good Christmas but I've massively over indulged in food and booze. I've enjoyed having some downtime but also preparing to get back into the routine of work and school etc as I've lost all sense of space and time at the moment.

Planning on doing dry January which is a big deal for me as usually drink 5 nights of the week roughly. Also want to clear my diet up a bit without 'dieting' as such as I don't want to introduce too many unsustainable challenges all at once!

It's a long month, still cold and dark, we will be skint. Part of me just wants to hibernate, the other half thinks I need to keep myself occupied so I'm not tempted by wine or the contents of the fridge!

I've got a big pile of books to read and could maybe start a new series. What's everyone else going to be doing?

OP posts:
velodrome · 29/12/2024 22:29

I’m trying to encourage myself to not be too sedentary indoors and to use as much of the dark evenings at home to do something useful and gently exercising like decluttering that I will really appreciate later.

Rainbowdottie · 29/12/2024 22:28

My main aim is to sort my house. It feels disorganised, stuffed to the brim and generally in every room something needs sorting/mending/make over etc. Agreed you have to have the time and money to do it, but I'm just trying to find storage, solutions, clear out, reorganise, sell,donate etc...
Every drawer and cupboard seems to need something in order to "move it on"....my cutlery drawer needs all the knives and utensils out, so I need jars etc to put those in so I can move on in that drawer.....I need an item and an area to get all my hair shampoos,conditioners etc into so I can clear out the bathroom....and so it goes on, you get my vibe.

I stopped years ago making "big" plans...diets,exercise etc as I never stuck to them and just made me feel like shit! As for "getting through it" my husband suffers with S.A.D and he was given the best idea by a Dr that it's best to "embrace it". The animals hibernate, slow down, accept the season and we must too. Accept that the trees die away, the world is still etc

wafflesmgee · 29/12/2024 22:28

Invest in decent candles, blankets and jumpers. Embrace cosy living and make a commitment to go outside for a walk every day, it can be long or short but will help.

Theimpossiblegirl · 29/12/2024 22:28

I'm going to do dry Jan too but I'm not telling people, so if I decide I want to drink at a social event on the 18th or if I fancy a glass of wine at some point, I won't feel like I've failed.

I'm also doing the January declutter. Get rid of one thing on day 1, two on day 2, etc..

And eat more healthily.

Meadowland · 29/12/2024 22:26

Don't forget daily exercise and fresh air is massively good for improving mental health.
If weather is really awful, I put on a dance video and skip round the lounge !

Original poster
chippytea33 · 29/12/2024 22:24

Bobthecatt · 29/12/2024 22:22

I'm training for a marathon so squeezing in lots of running, and I've booked a holiday (Caribbean) for mid Jan - last year I was overweight and quite depressed so made a pact with myself to turn things around.

This is very much how I feel at the moment. Fat and unhealthy. Not just because of Christmas, I've been getting into bad habits over the course of the year and probably before.

Can I ask how you managed to turn things around for yourself?

OP posts:
TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 29/12/2024 22:23

I’m considering doing a bit of batch cooking this week so I have some healthy soup, stew etc in the freezer to help with the shock of going back to work.

Bobthecatt · 29/12/2024 22:22

I'm training for a marathon so squeezing in lots of running, and I've booked a holiday (Caribbean) for mid Jan - last year I was overweight and quite depressed so made a pact with myself to turn things around.

AwakeNotThruChoice · 29/12/2024 22:22

As much as I love Christmas, I am glad it’s over.
Decorations down, clean and tidy house.
i look forward to the New Year. Spring coming etc. I always have. So I never have an issue with January. I anticipate the longer days and warmer weather that comes. With children, the lead up to Xmas in December is mental
and too much. I enjoy the peace of January.

Original poster
chippytea33 · 29/12/2024 22:21

Wintershealing · 29/12/2024 22:19

I always think January is a rubbish time to go dry! Especially if you drink 5 nights a week. I'd look to cut down and just get into a routine of early bed with your books.

This time of year can feel miserable with the cold dark evenings, so just do what you can to make life feel a bit more comfortable. Do dry april instead when the evenings get lighter and your dopamine levels naturally rise from the joys of spring 😀

lol this is an interesting approach 😂

I think it will be tough but equally I've overdone it over Christmas and feel like a reset is in order. I'm not confident I'll manage a totally dry January but if I can massively cut back it will be good.

OP posts:
Wintershealing · 29/12/2024 22:19

I always think January is a rubbish time to go dry! Especially if you drink 5 nights a week. I'd look to cut down and just get into a routine of early bed with your books.

This time of year can feel miserable with the cold dark evenings, so just do what you can to make life feel a bit more comfortable. Do dry april instead when the evenings get lighter and your dopamine levels naturally rise from the joys of spring 😀

YorkshireIndie · 29/12/2024 22:17

Sorting out finances and looking at house buying (even though the thought of it stresses me out). I am starting a new job and have a qualification exam to do. I actively dislike January and find it an incredibly long month (although that could be because I am always poor because of Christmas etc)