Can we have a thread about nice things to do in January/February?

[wrongwayupandbacktofront]

Inspired by the threads about nice things to do in autumn and some of the ideas I've read on here over the last few days, I thought this sort of thread might cheer those of us up who are dreading the bleakness ahead. Please come and tell us what you usually do or are planning to do this year as we get ready for faraway spring and summer. Here are some of mine.

Declutter and redecorate/spruce up my bathroom and downstairs loo.

Plant bulbs in the garden (yes, I know I should have done it already!).

Bring bulbs into the house (hyacinths).

I think I'd like to keep some non Chrismassy winter decorations out until Candlemas/Imbolc, then mark the changing season somehow.

I've been painting my nails and dry body brushing and am going to get out my footspa for some home pampering this weekend ( summer body)

General diet and fitness overhaul, not just for summer but in a more nuturing, long-term frame of mind.

Escaping the winter by watching reruns of Murder in Paradise.

A more frivolous one: drink more cocktails! Will be rewatching Cocktail too, of course 😁

Over to you...

Very weather dependent for me! Hopefully nice bright sunny days for dog walking 🤞

checks weather app and silently sobs

Place marking
Feeling super low hence on here so looking for ideas for when I am feeling brighter

I’d love to join you

im trying to do yoga daily (yoga with Adriene) and plan hearty winters stews/soups/roasts but with more of an emphasis on veg. Upping my water intake with fruit tea too.
I might treat myself to ice bath oils/salts and sheet masks
and maybe try to get better at looking after my skin.

im loving my log burner at the minute

What a lovely thread. Will have a think.of things.

I always plant seeds, so I'm going to plant some poppies in pots this weekend, they come up brilliantly by late May if I put them out about now.

I love drinking red wine in January and we usually have a bottle every Sunday lunchtime. But I also like OPs idea of more cocktails. So it's gin martinis for me every Saturday night. (just the one as I get very flushed!)

I am generally pretty fit but I have two feet injuries at the moment so can't run and walking is limited. So I'm going to swim as much as I can and do more weights instead.

I sleep as much as I can in January too. For me it's a month for rest and relaxation
I loathe Xmas so look forward to the calm that January brings.

Daily walk…that’s top of my list even if it’s bloody raining

I quite like January much to the horror of most people…a nice relaxing time no Christmas hype and a generally chill month

I have plans to clean out my wardrobe and start wearing my clothes which I have kept for best and throw (charity or sell) all the stuff which doesn’t fit me.

Im also planning a small veggie patch in the garden so have been scouring freecycle and facebook for bits and pieces

Great thread OP and I love your list.
Also loving reframing January as a relaxation month!!

I cleaned out my wardrobe and arranged all my new perfumes into the shelf, it makes me happy when I look at it.

I have broken a bone in my arm, so I can’t do much. When it heals I’d like to go back to swimming at least once a week.

I’ve also started a flower arranging class at my church.

m favourite thing to do is plan dinners out for date nights & some weekends away with DH to look forward too.

Fab idea. I think I will follow your suit by keeping some twinkly lights up after the decs come down.

Have booked a massage today for some post Christmas relaxation as there was a special offer on at one of my local salons.

Also doing lots of tidying and decluttering, have got two rooms done already with another two to go.

Another thing I’ve done this week is written down some favourite walks to do again that we haven’t done in ages as we were so busy last year. We have a few quiet weekends in January and February so will look forward to those!

What a lovely thread.

I really like the idea of embracing January as a month of relaxation. I tend to store up some new series, films and books to enjoy and make sure I light plenty of candles in the evenings to give the cosy glow I miss when the Christmas tree comes down.

January also tends to be my month of trying new recipes, especially if I have a new cookery book for Christmas. I don’t obsess over healthy eating, but fresh cooked regular meals always feel nice after a few weeks of rich Christmas food and endless grazing.

It's Imbolc at the beginning of February. These are some lovely activities to do to welcome the spring in if you take a look.

And get outside if you can and look for flower shoots and the changing on the season.

Acknowledge that it is winter and it is OK to slow down, drink tea, read, light a candle.

I'm also trying to have a cosy January and more self care.

Trying to do one sorting out bit each day or at least 5 days a week when dc in school. Eg today is the hall table just the table nothing else.

Also trying to find half an hour in the evening once DC asleep to put my wax melt burner thing on in the lounge and either read or sew. Going to treat myself to a new scent every month they are pretty cheap on Etsy. Currently have cinammon and orange.

Also I have a Sunday night ritual all year round of a hot bath, a can of gin and tonic and my Kindle.

For me it will be jigsaw puzzles and daily walks. Not long, even 15-20 minutes, but this will keep me sane and I need to work on my immune system.

Have a day out somewhere. Museums are usually open, some historic houses are, for example.

Knitting & sewing, followed by knitting & sewing. A break to try out some crafting, followed by surfing for new ideas on Pinterest and then more knitting & sewing... Throw in a latte & piece of cake too,

I want to concentrate on foods that are nourishing and comforting. So, shepherdess pie, roasts, braised cabbage and slow cooked sausages etc.
I love the idea of sorting just one thing at a time, I'm definitely going to do this. Take it slow and steady.
I'm going to wear all my make up. Not all at once 🤣 but getting up and putting a face on and doing my hair makes a huge difference to my mood, even if I'm just doing the school run and doing stuff indoors
Plus candles, candles and more candles

Thanks OP I need some positivity!
• I’m getting back to my swimming after having a break for Christmas.
•I’ve downloaded some new books to my kindle, need to read more.
• Also decluttering wardrobe
• organising work that needs doing on the house.

I quite enjoy January and by the end of the month it’s noticeably lighter at 5pm (in the south).

I’m walking daily, yoga with Adrienne, decluttering, reading books, finishing some crochet, watching some Netflix and drinking some of my vast herbal tea collection!

I knew I could count on you lot!
Some lovely ideas here. Lots of candles, treating ourselves to perfumes and bath oils, surrounding ourselves with or crafting beautiful things...

I think wrapping up and getting some fresh air and vitamin D whatever the weather is an excellent plan! Unfortunately we don't have a dog but I love the idea of planning new or revisiting favourite walks.

I've recently joined a swimming club too, @MissyB1 and dragging myself out the door at 7.30pm every Wednesday is going to be a real test of my willpower!

Planning in general seems popular, whether it's which seeds to sow or how to organise the veggie patch, or historic houses to visit, or days out and date nights. It's like we're biding our time getting ready...

Definitely sorting! I need to sort out mine and the dcs' clothes, and the fearsome shoe cupboard of doom where spiders lurk in the darkest corners 😨

I love the idea of just retreating, enjoying the quiet energy, taking time, hibernating in fact. So much nicer with a warm fire and a glass of wine🍷or a cup of tea. And much less frantic and performative than all the sociabilty (?) of December.

Primping and pampering seems very popular too. I laughed out loud at "I'm going to wear all my make up. Not all at once 🤣" from @therealmccoy1234 🤣🤣🤣

Reading, of course! I have my Christmas books to get through, and my rather long wishlist.

How could I forget to mention Yoga with Adriene @Funnyname00 ? - January wouldn't be the same without her! I'm also aiming for at least one quickie with LWR and at least a 5 minute meditation every day. Best for me in the morning first thing when the house is still and quiet. Again, nothing frantic or exessive, just calm and wholesome.

Glad to see I have a new member in my 'one cocktail a week club' @Dogsgottabone 😆🍸🍹
And I love the sound of your Sunday night bath-Kindle-g&t ritual, @Decafflatteplease !
My own version would have to be footspa-Murder in Paradise-cocktail of the week. And I think I'll slap on a face mask for good measure!

Even if I haven't replied to everyone I've enjoyed reading your plans, and I hope those who dropped by looking for some inspiration have found it. 🍹

I also love what @LuciferRising wrote:

Acknowledge that it is winter and it is OK to slow down, drink tea, read, light a candle.

Look back through your 2022 photos and choose your favourites to either print and display somewhere, or turn into one of those self-print albums.

Make a point of catching up with any friends/family that you didn't exchange Christmas or New Year messages with.