What can we do to make January more cheerful?

[JustlikeElllie]

I don't know about anyone else but I find January and February can be quite tough months. The cold and dark become a real drag. All a bit of a comedown after the celebration of Christmas. A feeling of needing to cut back a bit whether it's on spending, getting ready for Summer. Personally I relish the break from all the kids clubs and activities as it's one of the only times we get to completely slow down.

What ways do you make these months a bit more cheerful?

The days are getting longer and the nights shorter.

On countdown to Spring!

I'm starting to plan my garden for the year. I also planted bulbs a few months ago so hoping I'll have some colour soon.

My plan is to embrace the season by lighting candles and using blankets in the evenings so it's cosy.

Also, I like to walk regardless of the weather. Sometimes a dark-ish, wet walk is exactly what I need, and I enjoy it more than in the summer when everywhere is busy and insects are out.

I like candles and lights to make evenings snuggly

I try to make sure there is a little less to do as it seems natural to use this time of year to recharge - plan fewer things but get a book to waste an afternoon with

And focus on health so I am ready to grab the longer days - yoga, run, eat well , sleep well

I enjoy a walk in the rain, there’s less people about.

Yessssss 🙌

Candles - I personally prefer unscented ones, but whatever rocks your boat

Big bunches of daffs

I'm hoping to find a couple of Veganuary menus to try out

New books

Maybe cooking a few new recipes, especially ones that contain lots of colourful fruit or vege

Fairy lights, unscented candles, books, hot beverages, blankets, Oodie and a cat or two.

Fairy lights, a knitting project, a box set. I'm going to watch Mad Men from the beginning. Seasons one and two of Mrs Maisel are also a joy.

I definitely love walking in all weathers and we walk most evenings. I much prefer the Summer evenings but the quietness of the Winter walks is nice.

We'll have about 40 minutes more light by the end of Jan.

I love January because I really can't stand Christmas so I'm relieved when it's all over!

My advice:

Move every day, whatever that means to you. I do a mix of gym, walking, and yoga at home
Stay hydrated and eat well
Get as much sleep as you can
Try new recipes if you enjoy cooking
Plan some new things to look forward to - it could be trying new restaurants, planning to see new films at the cinema, buying a new book to read, getting into a new TV show
If you love the Christmas lights etc, keep that going with candles, tea lights etc

I'm organising a family (including all grandparents) Sunday roast at a pub, end of January. Something to look forward to 🙂

I've promised the kids to a visit to the paint colour selector cards at B&Q - that's a big treat, they're obsessed (if you've seen the Hammerbarn episode of Bluey, you'll understand!)

Always feels like a nice time of year to rearrange the furniture a bit, see the house in a different light

Was going to use the "extra" time in the evening (nights are still dark but no Christmas wifework to do) to get some photos sorted and printed/framed

I HATE January (doesn't help that it's my birthday and no one ever wants to celebrate/is too skint/stuffed). I always feel better when February is here.

-candles, fairy lights, lava lamp in the evenings
-get outside everyday. we had a walk in the rain today with boots and brollies
-plan in a cinema/theatre trip
-plan dinner with a friend
-take the time to catch a light trail before they finish (my city has light sculptures until this weekend). I noticed that since the pandemic the houses near me keep their outdoor Christmas lights on longer.
-plan special weekend meals and set the table with candles
-put out food for the birds
-get a new houseplant
-pick a craft project (I'm going to teach DC how to make friendship bracelets)
-print photo book for last year
-start bullet journalling/gratitude journal
-pick a TV or film series to watch together as a family/couple (we're just finishing watching all the James Bond films, DH and DS1 are watching the Alien/Predator films together).
-plan in a weekly games night
-read everyday - not things you think you should read, but what you really want to read.
-do Yoga with Adriene 30 days of Yoga (starts tomorrow)
-listen to an inspiring podcast on evening strolls (I like Feel Better, Live More by Dr Rangan Chatterjee)
-Drink herbal tea after dinner

We have a jar full of slips.
January's include torchlight/twilight walks in the local woods, hot chocolate on the beach, soft play, the botanical gardens/glasshouses, a local museum we've never been to, building lego, building prompts to be used with lego/wooden bricks and craft projects. We're also going to expand our board game collection and have regular game nights.

They are colour coded to make it easier. Red for things we can do at home at short notice. Purple for things which we can easily walk/cycle to and are free. Blue for things which require a car journey but are free and yellow for things which need the car and cost money.

Today for example we walked on the beach looking in rock pools.

I also want to start journalling again and I promised dc2 I'd teach her how to sew/some different stitches as she wants to make some dolls clothes and bedding for her dolls house.