How do you enjoy Jan/ Feb?

[MamaLlama123]

I'm reflecting on the last few months. Autumn - New year has been busy with so many Halloween/ Christmas events/ prep/ non stop events. It has been busy and fun but exhausting.

Jan/ Feb does seem miserable and boring in comparison. And it's a long way until Spring. it's making me feel quite low

I'm thinking of going into Jan/ Feb with aim of trying to embrace season as a time of stillness and relaxation.

I would love a spa day/ hot baths/ reading although not sure how realistic with young children

Interested to hear how others get through these months? is there anyone that actually enjoys this time of year - any tips

I enjoy Jan/Feb. No need to cram everything into the lead up to Christmas - you can save something special for Jan/Feb like a get-together with friends or a concert/show. I also start looking at activities for summer so there's lots to look forward to.

I usually book my summer holiday in Jan/Feb, so lots of planning involved. I just accept that they are quiet months and use the time to plan the year and get stuff done around the house.

I look forward to a few low key catch ups with friends, lots of walks with family
Minimum spending
Cheap soups and healthy meals with lots of veg.
Find a good boxset and a few movies
Read some books including a non fiction one about something interesting. I have lots at home to choose from plus library membership.
I also like to use the toiletries and face masks I've got

I find December a bit too full on, so I enjoy January in that it's quieter and has few expectations. And I can go back to a healthier way of living that doesn't involve tons of sugar and booze ( it's too hard at Christmas not to eat crap)

Staycation, forest holidays type of a thing.

It is about living seasonally. Don't try and do everything you do in Summer; you'll just be miserable.

Keep Christmas until at least Epiphany if not Candlemas - by then the light has really returned!

In January celebrate Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Plough Monday and see if a local orchard does Wassailing. My DC will be learning their Scots poems for Burns Night. Crafting projects are good by the fireside. Use firelight and/or candlelight too.

We also go ski-ing; usually Cairngorm as it has a magic carpet for the DC. Ice skating public sessions run at the weekend. The RSPB centre runs Winter trails.

My extended family on my Dad's side have a large family party on the second weekend in January. Good company and good food!

January I just muddle through. But February I can see the beginnings of spring. Bulbs pushing through,the beginnings of green, nights getting lighter, so I like to think that nature is waking up.

We usually go to London and see a show in February.
read more books.
Try out new recipes.
Go to more yoga/Pilates classes

Pray for Spring!

I enjoy it cos it's quiet.

Sept - Nov are crazy. If we are lucky we get a week quiet time. Then it's a slog to a maniac Christmas.

Then January. No expectations or loads of things in the calendar.

I love January. It’s one of my favourite months!
I like it because it’s quiet calm and still, after the frenzy of Xmas.
I have hyacinths and spring bulbs all over the house, go for long walks and enjoy the winter landscape, read more, have baths…
it’s a time of introspection and reflection.
I like the idea of planning summer holidays.

We have three family birthdays to celebrate. Plus the garden coming to life again, lots of long walks, holidays to plan, quiet times to catch up with craft or DIY projects.

I don't particularly enjoy Jan or Feb. I look forward to March because that's DD's birthday, then we have quite a few birthdays one after the other (including mine and DH's) and that makes me happy. By the time we get a break from birthdays it's the summer (which I love), and then DS' birthday in July.

So I don't, not really!

Hoping to manage to book a couple of nice Veganuary meals out.

Might book a weekend away somewhere quite local, so we can maximise our time. Even better if I can combine it with a theatre trip.

Daffodils - M&S had already got them in stock today.

I like having a boring month or two with nothing much to do, less spending after the busy month of December.

Traitors starts 2 Jan 😉

I like January and February, it's getting closer to spring all the time, so much better than November which is the month I hate.
I live somewhere snowy so go sledging and build snowforts and things like that. Even without snow going for wintery walks is bracing and pleasant.

I like it! Still in the hunkering down over winter phase (open fire, candles etc) without the pressure of having to go and be social. Meet ups with friends are more casual as everyone is more conscious of budgets/recent overindulgence.

Also I like to start thinking ahead to the Spring/Summer. Usually have a good clear out, deep clean the house, book a couple of events/holiday for later in the year.

I've booked every Friday afternoon in January off work for some "me time". Also planning on taking longer lunch breaks to get out for a walk in daylight.

I've got a pile of books to read, some were Christmas presents but others I bought myself.

I've booked a monthly massage for the next 3 months. I've also booked a few plays, concerts, operas etc to get out and do something in the evening. One of these is a weekend away to a theatre elsewhere.

I dislike this time of year but I'm hoping planning nice things will help me get through it!

I'm glad to see others like January - I love it!

After the overly busy and sensory December, I enjoy a calm January, less commitments and time to reset for the year.

I'll be set up my diary and calendars tomorrow, January goals (eat/drink better, exercise, read) and researching our Summer holiday booking.

Winter sun breaks.
Canaries .. just 5 nights in Lanzarote in Jan.
Then 5 nights in Feuterventura in Feb.
Swimming once or twice a week.
Catching up with friends for lunch.
Today we drove to the coast.
Everything l do every other month l still do in Jan and Feb.

I love the normality of it and enjoy the routines, my favourite months of year!

My tip is to work on the mindset and try to change perspective - why is jan feb something to ‘get through’? It’s life. Try to enjoy moments in everyday rather than get through the days / get time out the way to get closer to the next event.

DS birthday is at the end of January. Plus there's Burns Night. I'm going to a show in the middle of the month too.

I'm going to buy a gorgeous candle to burn in the evenings.

I'm planning to go on a guided tour in London, around an area I don't know very well.

Lots of hot chocolate and jigsaws, too!

I am not a fan of Jan / Feb but I like it being the start of a new year.

I plan days out for later in the year and holidays so have something to look forward to.

I go to swim, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi 3 times a week with DH and sometimes we have a coffee there as well.

If near Horsey in Norfolk the seals and seal pups on the beach are amazing, we went on Boxing Day. Not sure when they are there until.

I just choose to embrace it as a time of quiet and not feeling guilty about being more chilled out.

Quiet weekends watching films, playing board games with the family and cooking nice meals.

Focusing on healthier habits. Walks, yoga videos, nutritious food etc.

More self-care. Having long baths on weekend afternoons (same for the children.) Slathering us all in body lotion and into PJs early then relaxing in front of a film. Reading books to one another and not worrying about the lack of plans as busier times will come.

Planning nice things and looking forwards. Booking holidays, planning what to do in the garden, putting dates in the diary etc.