January really is crap

[Nomoreburritosforgodsake]

I’m a positive person and try to make the best out of things, count my blessings etc, but it really is the most depressing month…cold, wet, quiet, no money..just so blah.
I don’t mind staying in, have put fairy lights, candles, pjs and throws..still crap
Think it’s more the money and weather, just getting by, the most excitement being taking the dog for a walk and making lasagna. Dd asking for zoo, cinema, soft play and takeaways..just not happening this month

How to make Jan-well-Jan-March better?!

Does anyone actually prefer these months? I remember a brilliant year pre Dd where we went ski ing and then to Thailand just to escape it, no option for that these days 😅

I love January. The hideousness that is Christmas done and dusted, crisp, cold and sunny days, birds singing their heads off, clean night skies full of stars and planets and no pressure to go anywhere or eat beige food. And the bulbs are coming up, letting us know Spring is on the way.

Use the time to eat well ( as in whole nutritious food ) sort out any sleep or minor health problems and make plans for the rest of the year!
Put reminders in your calendar for any insurance renewals a few weeks before so you can shop around for better deals.
Look at what your garden will need addressing come spring and any house maintenance.

Nature hibernates in January and I let myself align with that if I need to - a slow pace of life, rest etc. In a completely opposite state of mind, I also use January to review my plans for the year, do the annual budget with DH, think about things we want to do and things we ought to do (house jobs) etc. Sometimes have a little clear out. It's like the pause between the out breath and the in breath.

Cold, dark, wet, icy. I hate it. All of it.

I think you have to embrace the crapness! You and DD can enjoy being cosy with your throws. Have a candlelight teddy bears picnic or set up a hot chocolate station using up the last of the Christmas sweets, then play with some of her new toys.
If you know you feel like this, plan for some Christmas gifts next year which will get you through January eg cinema or soft play vouchers.

DS' birthday is mid January - around 'blue Monday', but it's a really special time for us for reflecting on what's past and what's to come.

Hate it. Hate it even more this year as close friend diagnosed with stage 4 cancer on new years day and all progressing so fast. Just heartbreaking and the short days and bad weather doesn’t help.

January always seems a long time until payday 😔

I like it too...I'm so happy Christmas is done and dusted for another year....the days are slowly getting longer too

Three weeks until February. It won’t take long to pass.

January is one of my favourite months. There’s something nice and calm and clear about it. A freshness. Lovely after the frenzy of Xmas. Lots of winter salads, candles, fires. But, I quite like cold wintery weather and if you don’t, it must be hard.

I also hate January. Worse this year as it's so cold and my first winter as a SAHM for a long time. DS wants to go outside constantly but after an hour I can't take anymore.
Not too bad money wise as we did Christmas on a budget but I can't get enthusiastic about going out when it's cold and dark by 4.
Can't wait until spring.

Christmas isn’t hideous if you do it right.
Cold crisp and sunny? In what world? It’s mostly damp and grey.
Who pressures you to eat beige food and why is it less likely in Jan?
Spring is fucking ages away. May at best. 3.5 months. Quarter of a year.

I appreciate it as can be anti social and use weather as excuse

And best show on earth binge time - traitors

It’s already a bit lighter in the early evening. Days are going the right way now.

I’ve always liked January. I get more annoyed with march because by then I think it should be getting milder but it can be really cold and windy.

January has 300 days in it.

It's still Christmas here 🎄 🎄 🎄! Will be until 2 Feb. We celebrate it without all the stress of the lead-up to Christmas day - watching Christmas movies, hot chocolate and marshmallows, doing Christmas jigsaws, the lights of the tree twinkling in the background.

Then it will be Valentine's day, then Pancake Day and then we're getting towards Easter, Spring flowers and warmer days.

Yes, I also 'hibernate' in January.

Batch cook for the freezer, early nights, evenings on the sofa with a film, a glass of red wine, candles and a blanket, make plans for the year. Spend very little money and just block the world out.

I don't 'love it' but it's the same as with most things - a lot can be improved with a change of attitude.

My birthday is at the end of the month in January the 3000th…

Blimey, glass half full, eh, @cardibach ?! 😂

Bulbs popping shows Spring is on the way. Not here, but on the way.

Beautiful crisp sunny days here for the past 3 days. Clear night skies showing ACTUAL Saturn!

Beige food at parties. Christmas parties - a time of year that is incredibly hard for some, including me, for various awful reasons.

But I still manage to see the joy in January!

How awful.I am so sorry.

I hate January - especially on the heels of December being my favourite month and loving Christmas. But I know what you mean about March @Sourisblanche - it can be a frustrating month!

I always book two weeks leave to go somewhere sunny. I'm going to Malta in a couple of days.
I like to make plans such as going to gigs, cinema, afternoon tea and forest walks. (I've also got to fit work in as well!)
It helps with the post Christmas slump.

It’s my birthday 😆

I know it easier said then done but avoiding the skint-ness definitely helps. I'd rather do fewer Christmas activities, because there's enough excitement then without it, and save the money for soft play, cinema, swimming etc to brighten up January and get us out the house when it's to cold for park.

I also pool the money the kids get in cards to buy passes to local attractions, which we gives us some more options (we have a few aunts/uncles who send £20 in cards instead I'd gifts)

I get SAD so I can feel your pain.
Media banging on about doom and gloom ,flu everywhere.
So I don't watch much TV.
However it is a new year a whole new calendar to plan holidays,bulbs shooting up bright skies some mornings.
I concentrate on mid Jan being 4 weeks until valentine's day,hearts pink and red bits then2 weeks until daffodils and St David's day.
Then the whole spring summer ahead.
If money is an issue do what we do.
Alot less in Dec to avoid the dreadful skint January days.