January Blues

January; the expectation of a new year. "Tomorrow is the first chapter of a new book; make it a good one!"

Oh, my life. I'm sorry but no, nothing about January shouts 'new year to me' when it's the middle of winter. It's a five week month, and that brings far more month at the end of your money. We still feel like we're getting over a slump like no other after having the festive break. To me it's not the time to be trying out a new routine, or attempting dry January, keeping an unrealistic resolution, or convincing ourselves we're morning people when we get up in the middle of the night and feel great for it. 

Nope. Not for me!

January isn't great, and it's doesn't feel at all like New Year. It's SO bloody dark. I've had to have a light on in my office since 10am this morning because there's not enough day light to get in the window. It feels the middle of the night by about 4.30pm and after you've had tea, you're clock watching to when you can go to bed. It feels like bedtime from about 6pm! And that's what our ancestors would've done! They'd have stayed in bed until it gets light, got done what they needed to get through the day, eaten food, and gone to bed early when it got dark and cold. So, why in the name of all that is shiny are we trying to power through and pretend everything is all ok?

Look, if you're powering through and are really feeling it, then more power to you. You've got your shit together, and I'm maybe a little envious of all your energy. It looks exhausting to me. 

But for now, if like me, you're not powering through and you're trying to get yourself through the day without a nap, remember that's ok. Take your time. January for me isn't the time to go gung-ho as it's still the middle of winter. This time of year for me is about slowly getting all my ducks in a row, so that by the time spring comes around I feel like I've got things in order. When Spring truly comes to town, we can all start to feel a bit more sparkly and new; not in the midst of winter, when everything is still so dark and sleepy.  I can hit the ground running, or whatever it is the cool kids say.

Employ a little self-care, and look after yourself during these hibernation months. You can start your New Year whenever you want.