Good things about Jan-March?

[Inmecomfiesnow]

They’re my worst months, I’m trying to find good points about them.
I am sort of glad for the end of the excess of Halloween-New year and plan on dialling things right down-doing simple family things with Dd, dog walks, beach trips, cooking, watching new films/series and basically hibernating/socialising mess and spending less! Happy to do that for a short time and revel in it, but possibly not until Easter!
What do you like about these months/how do you fill these months?

Feb & March are my "free" months for council tax.
I pay it over 10 months so don't have to make a payment those two months, which via 'girl math' makes it free. I don't tend to do anything with the extra funds but its nice to know I could if I wanted!

@VanityDiesHard OK - homemade soups and stews - it's really the two months either side of Christmas - the mud and drizzle when you have to walk (and clean) the dog every single day - I've felt increasingly negative about this period only in the last few years and last year I swore I wanted to be in a less inclement climate at Christmas which I also dislike - it's so sad hearing about the stress it puts on so many relationships and families with young kids - the whole period is so over commercialised but in a nutshell - it's the weather.

Socialising Less

Lol. Only on Mumsnet.

January:
There is a general sense of purpose, goal-setting and positivity in the first weeks following New Year's Day. More people are out exercising, fewer people are stressed compared to the weeks before Christmas. Agree, the weather is often nicer.

February:
Love is in the air... if you approach Valentine's with the right mindset, you can enjoy the season of pinks and reds, get kitted out in some comfy, soft clothing and enjoy the pampering stuff that's everywhere (don't need a partner to buy that). After half-term is usually the first time in forever that I can drive to work in the light again. And there is often a snow day or two in very early February!

March:
The gardening season begins, the days are usually much warmer and the first spring flowers blossom. The approach of Easter means some interesting chocolates are available! Walks out are far more enjoyable, energy bills get lower and no council tax for the month. Personally, it's the first month I feel financially secure again; many of my big bills (e.g. car tax and insurance, household maintenance after rain/ storms/ frost etc.) are in the first two months of the year when I still haven't had time to recover savings from Christmas.

Loads of things!

The days extending. By the end of January the lighter evenings are already noticeable
Spring flowers and blossom
Birdsong - by March the dawn chorus is beautiful and you get those still evenings with blackbirds singing
That promise of spring is intoxicating. It's something to do with the smell of the earth as things start growing again.

My favourite time of year, at the risk of sounding like a Pollyanna

Burn's night.

F1 will be back in Feb.

Start planting seeds for the Veg patch this year.

Trip with the girls
Six nations
Skiing in Italy during half term
St paddy's day long weekend
Evenings getting brighter

Pancake day.

look for a holiday for the summer

hot chocolate and cost nights

I am completely with you and the rain is not helping.

I enjoy going for Saturday afternoon muddy walks in January/February.

Winter trees have their own special beauty, and I love being able to spot mistletoe growing. There's a surprising amount of birdsong too - if I can find a quiet route with no dogs to scare them away, there are lots of little birds to be seen in the hedgerows. Then heading for home as it's starting to get dark, to settle down for a snug evening at home with something warm and hearty for dinner.

I try to embrace each season for itself. I don't always succeed, but I try!

Love this thread!

Oh, and clear January nights when the stars are just blazing!

Starting this year with Dry January. I diet well in January so lose the Christmas weight easily (8lbs gain this Christmas!).

Deep clean of the house, one room at a time. Been doing my bedroom today. Off to buy new storage boxes for my shoes that are now too many to be kept in their current storage!

The days start to get longer.

Signs of spring. Noticed a ton of daffodil bulbs growing in the front yesterday!

Lots of overtime in work so will clear Christmas bills quickly.

My birthday woo!!! Although that’s next week so still have to get through the rest of January and February.

I find restaurants, cafes, shops generally quieter this time of year which I think makes life seem a lot less chaotic after the Christmas rush.

Crisp winter mornings for dog walks are nice, also dog walking routes are quieter. Although appreciate we mostly get rain in winter rather than the nice winter crispness!

I usually wish these months away but I'm really trying to be positive this year.
I've booked to go to a gig in Feb, a family day out the end of January.
I'm going to decorate my living room.
I'm starting a course for 8 weeks only one night a week but will get me out.
Lots of books in a pile to be read.

A bit niche but I don't have to pay council tax in Feb and March. Cheers me up.

I've got to the age where I don't think of any of my precious life in terms of getting through it until this or that anymore. January to March are not the best weather wise granted, but other than that, they're just months of your year, and precious time that shouldn't be wished away. I just do the same things I do the rest of the year only with my coat on.

Good idea for a thread, OP.

There's something to be said for not wishing your life away. I enjoy January (and September) as a 'fresh start' month.

There was an amazing thread on here a few years ago, all about the best bits of winter. Very inspiring. I'll see if I can find it.

Although I much prefer summer, I quite enjoy the period between Jan and Easter - it's Oct til mid Dec I hate. So dark and cold and rainy.

In January it feels like a fresh start. Holidays and events to book up, everything to look forward to. Filling a new diary. I love hibernating this time of year.

Books, candles, TV, blankets, tea.

I bloody love January because Christmas is over! Fresh, clean, healthy, new, nice plans to look forward to. Amazing winter food as already mentioned. Good telly to watch and new books to read. My DP's birthday

The only time of year I absolutely dread is when it's boiling hot (over 25 degrees). I find hot weather really stressful and exhausting. I'm still bitter that we only got half an Autumn last year because it was roasting here in the South East until mid October 🤦🏻‍♂️

• Countdown to spring/watching the light extend day by day.
• The simplicity of it all. No major gaudy holidays, just life, cutting back on the budget and enjoying things like tv, cosy nights in, hearty meals, walks etc.
• Egg shaped chocolate (arguably the best tasting chocolate)

Snowdrops
Crocuses
Lunar New Year - my favourite holiday/eating excuse
Feb half-term - chance to be off work with the DC, but no pressure to be off "enjoying the weather" or doing Christmas/Easter activities so very relaxing
Frosty walks and being able to see the sun rise and set without being up early/late

It’s getting lighter- 7 minutes extra a week.
Buds start to show on trees and bushes- I notice this a lot on my dog walks.
Its a new year and I love making plans big and small.

I always have a weekend away or longer in January or February. I realise not everyone has the option to, but if you do, it helps a great deal.

A weekly sauna also helps.

Great post!

We went to the beach today, it was cold but we wrapped up, the sun was shining, the waves were crashing but it wasn't too windy, it rained all morning so I'll take that as a win!