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

Lots of exercising for me, and redecorating to freshen up the house.

It is mine and DS’s birthdays in February so they’re something to look forward to - we always do some nice things for those - weekends away etc. We just grin and bear January.

There's a series of books of London walks which are excellent for a mooch around a specific area.

I'm doing a tour of the Barbican next week, which I'm very excited about!

Both of my kids birthdays are in January (5 and 2 in 2024) because I suck at planning - and I've just finished my annual insanely busy work period before Xmas. So it's a lovely time for me planning birthdays, and generally recuperating and working at a normal steady pace with no evenings/weekends with the laptop. Possibly my standards are too low, but modern living with littles...

January is a busy month for us as we have 2 birthdays in the family. We also have the "leftover" attractions from Christmas that we couldn't fit in during the Christmas holidays (a couple of theatre shows and workshops).
February we have a half term break so lots of opportunities to do days out etc there. Otherwise we do the usual museums/galleries or other indoor places like NT properties. We have a bit of a list of things we'd like to visit one day, we try to tick some of those off rather than staying in or going back to the same old places.

I hate January and February. I can't wait for it to be March!

Starting Christmas admin for next year (writing cards, wrapping presents) before putting things away until next December - a friend does her cards this way, I did it last year and it was a lifesaver this year.

Craft projects in the evenings. Catching up on box sets and all the films/podcasts that I did not have time to listen to since last winter.

I love the start of the year. Its my birthday on the 9th Jan and there is nothing at all in the calendar for months. Its great!

New Years resolution to get walking more on dry days with an audiobook on, or swimming on miserable days.

Been saving a few boxsets to get stuck into and have a couple of spa weekends lined up.

Lots of home renovations to be getting on with too.

I'm looking forward to quiet nights in with the fire going, a boxset on, and a big bowl of soup with sourdough and butter.

and in Feb its DS2's birthday and we have a trip away planned. A few nights away, but something to look forward to.

Plus I know by mid Feb when DS2 was born it is all getting much lighter !

It's all mindset. I love January. You can hibernate with no expectation to meet anyone. Its a time for cosy fires, candles, boxsets and summer holiday planning!

Both my DCs birthdays are coming up, which was stressful when they were younger with organising birthday parties etc but nice now they are older and gives us occasions to look forward to. Mine as well. The days start getting longer, green shoots appear in the garden, time to start planning holidays and thinking about other projects for the year (we are gradually renovating an old house). The downsides are that the gym is rammed, my regular classes are over-subscribed, and I need to do my tax return.

I spent the first 40 years of my life really not liking January or February but then it dawned on me that I was disliking 1/6 of my life! And that’s ridiculous, so I’ve been working on it.
I keep the decorations up longer. Not the tree and things, but I make an effort to use the candles I’ve been given and have greenery and fairy lights around the house until Imbolc on the 2nd Feb.
Good food - home cooked, hearty and healthy.
Long walks, films, books, cooking together, a long bath.
I’ve started to embrace the quiet that this part of the year brings.

I prefer the peace and slower pace of January and February than November and December.
We've got a static caravan so go there a couple of times a month.

I think of Christmas as a bit like Wednesday, it's the hump in the middle and once you're over it you've got something to look forward to, in this case the warmer, brighter months ahead and not behind us.

Research the pagan year and become more in tune with nature. Imbolc is at the start of Feb.

The new year can be time to reflect, solidify habits and start new things. Rest. Read.
Get out in nature and really look around. Does life have to revolve around parties, over indulging, shopping, socialising, fast paced stuff?

There is so much potential to be had - you simply have to harvest it.

Ooo can you let me know the name of the book series, please? I was given a map of interesting London alleys last year. That's great fun!

I've been on a few walks with London Walks. Would highly recommend.

The only way I've ever enjoyed Jan & Feb is by spending them in the tropics.

Can't do that now, and my depression's already deepened. I've booked some sunbeds and will be ordering a new SAD lamp (I need the huge, unnaturally bright sort: expensive). Apart from that, it's a matter of remembering to get out of bed once a day and waiting for the season to change 😳

Stay busy, whatever that means to you. I like Jan, Feb I struggle with more, though the longer days do help.
For me, it's walking, exercise, tidying up the garden ready for Spring, spring cleaning the house, maybe some decorating indoors.
We have family birthdays in Jan & two shows booked to celebrate.

Hygge/ cosying up

Once Jan over, Feb is short then it's all fields and hay

The alley map sounds great.

This is the series https://www.waterstones.com/book/londons-hidden-walks/stephen-millar/abigail-willis/9781902910512

I like to get away somewhere sunny for a week or so to break up the dark days before Spring comes. I don't have school aged children at home so easier for us to do this . In fact - this is my first winter not working (just retired) so I've been looking at a lot more indoors activities too .

Booked some online exercise classes and Spanish lessons. Also books to read, craft activities and puzzles . Have a room to sort out and repurpose .

Will also get out for a walk every day and hopefully meet up with some friends too .

I find Jan and Feb hard, no light, miserable, raining, no one has any money. My birthday is Jan. and my closest friend, we both agree it's pants.

It’s a fresh new shiny year and the nights are slowly getting longer. Like a PP I exercise a lot and decorate, I also plan my garden and what I’m putting in pots. I walk every day or evening too.

I'm not keen on it. My birthday in the first part, feel deflated after Christmas and the new year is always a bit uncomfortable for me.

But we have a weekend break away with friends and this is the first time I have done such a thing and I am super excited.

February the night lengthen and the month so short also a half term break in there too.

My birthday is in January, so I'm looking forward to doing an art course with my DD & having a board games night with friends. In February I'm taking DD to see Wicked.
We'll try & get out & about - fossil hunting is good this time of year as the storms bring out new rock.
Buying & planting seed potatoes & planning stuff for the garden.