January can be a tough old month. When I get up at 6 am each morning, it’s dark. When I drive home after work, the sun has already set and it’s dark once again. The weather is variable, to say the least. Yesterday it was never ending grey. Tomorrow I believe there is some snow on the way. The bright lights and festivities of Christmas and New Year seem as far away as ever. And so it can be easy to give in to those January blues. With this in mind, I’ve been trying hard to find ways of embracing January and finding joy in this winter month. I thought I’d share a few of my favourite activities for January. I’d love to hear what you are doing also to ease yourself into this New Year.
Getting out into the fresh air
Up first, getting outside into the fresh air and more importantly, daylight. Even if it is just a short walk with Boris or a brief potter around the garden, it really lifts the spirits . Plus, there are lovely winter scenes to be had on even the shortest of walks.
Skipping the New Year resolutions
Secondly, I don’t make New Year resolutions. I’m not looking for a new me, I’m not interested in diets or tough exercise regimes and especially not in January. My mum always told me January was never the month to start these things. It’s too much of an extreme after Christmas and as always, I think she is probably right.
Finding my word
What does interest me however, is trying to establish a tone for the year, a sense of how I might approach things and so my word for 2018 is BRAVE. I think I’d like to be a little bit braver with what I share on this blog, with my photographs and with life in general. If you are interested in finding your word for this year, why not sign up for Susannah Conway’s free course Find your Word for 2018.
Slow cooker bliss
Thirdly, I have a new found love for my slow cooker. After being outside on a cold, wet Saturday, it’s just so comforting to step back inside into the warmth of the kitchen and the aroma of a simple casserole slowly simmering on the worktop. I make them the easy way (meat, vegetables and a recipe mix like these ). And then I can leave it to do it’s thing while I go about my day. Bliss !
Getting creative with flowers
Fourthly, and this won’t surprise anyone who follows this blog, flowers. Bringing a little bit of the outdoors inside is meant to be good for you. I have a small collection of house plants which add a welcome touch of greenery. But for me, flowers are a real botanical pick me up. I bought a bunch of ranunculus at Marks and Spencer the other day, something a little bit different from the usual offering of roses and carnations. They are just so pretty and I enjoyed taking some time out just to photograph them.
Well, that’s my round up of what I am enjoying in January so far. Feel free to share what you’ve been up in the comments below.
Have a lovely Sunday
Thanks for stopping by,
Paula
Useful Links
Other posts from Typewriter Girl to enjoy:-
Reflecting on 2021: A Journey of Grief, Growth, and Gratitude
I don’t make resolutions but I plan to get up early when the days are no more cold
Let’s hope it starts to warm up soon 😊
Planning is what I have been up too! I’ve also start morning walks at 6am. I find myself so relaxed after a walk. Thank you for sharing this post 🙂
I would love for you to check out my latest post and blog xx
Oh thank you. Yes I will pop over to your blog shortly 😊
Lovely flowers. Wish I had an m & s where I live. I swear by my slow cooker.This time of year is perfect for tasty stews and casseroles. The magazine does look interesting. X
Oh thank you. Yes M&S is handy although I have discovered Lidl do lovely flowers too. 😊
This is a lovely post. I share your feelings about january! Do like the ranunculus. The wild forms, in the eastern Mediterranean in spring, are worth seeing if you get the chance.
The magazine sounds right up my street too so will investigate.
Oh thank you. Yes do check out the mag. It is lovely 😊
The flowers are lovely and your posts inspire me. January is a trying month. The magazine is perfect, I cannot wait to check it out!
Oh thank you for your lovely feedback 😊 that’s very kind of you
I love your magazine recommendations. First Turf & Grain (thank you! I sniff the luxurious paper as I’m reading it and the hazily filtered photos and artwork are giving me ideas for my newly-painted walls) and now this one: I must find out where to get it in Dublin….
Lovely post and beautifully-crafted and hued shots.
Oh thank you. And thank you too for the lovely card. That was a nice surprise 😊
A lovely post. Happy new year 😊
Oh thank you. And Happy New Year to you too 😊
That sounds a very wise approach to the new year. Best of luck being brave this year – I’m sure you will be.
I hope so too 🙂
I don’t make resolutions or even a word. Although I am certainly in the minority. I wish you well with your word.
But I do try to find joy in each month. January is for a bit of hibernation. Enjoying being cozy at home. Delicious crock pot dinners, like you said. Quiet introspection. Trying to find where I *should* be heading. No real *shoulds*, for me. Just looking inside, and seeking what would be the very best for me, to concentrate on. And the like.
Courage, for being Brave!
Oh thank you. Well, being braver is the intention. Who knows how it will pan out. I agree it is the month for some introspection which can be a good thing. Thanks for dropping by !
So lovely written and very inspiring. Ranunculus are definitely my favourite and they last so long! Choosing a word for the year is amazing – I found it really helped me last year and for this year I’ll chosen ‘strength’, which may change as the year progresses!
Gosh yes those ranunculus in the pictures are still going! I hope you find the ‘strength’ you need for this year. Good choice 😊