The fireworks have been silenced and the confetti has settled, the presents are unwrapped, and a familiar chill has crept in alongside the realisation that...it's...January. While the crisp air and fresh start hold promise, the post-holiday dip often arrives uninvited. It leaves us feeling deflated and adrift in a sea of leftover resolutions and unfulfilled expectations from the previous year.
A few mornings this week, I woke up feeling low in mood, unmotivated to even create posts for my social media, which I usually love, and I felt so overwhelmed by all of the things that I want to achieve in 2024, both personally and professionally, and felt a bit stuck, not knowing exactly where to start.
As I stopped and prayed, I realised that I was allowing the overprocessing of thoughts in my mind to swallow the joy of all of the wins accumulated over the past 2 months since launching Sincerely Lumière.
I had instead allowed anxiety for the coming months to be deposited within me.
I then remembered a term that I had come across a few years ago that could somewhat explain this feeling that tends to rear its ugly head around the second week of January and that is 'The January Blues'. I was shocked to discover that it even had its own day dedicated to it, coined Blue Monday.
In light of remembering this, I decided to write this post to encourage both you and I to navigate this month with intention and practical tools to kickstart our year with a joyful spark, instead of succumbing to the gloomy blues of the season.
1. Celebrate the Micro-Victories: Your Inner Fireworks Factory:
Forget grandiose resolutions that leave you feeling like a deflated balloon when left unachieved. Instead, let us become maestros of miniature wins. Did you finally conquer that overflowing inbox? What about mastering that Pilates pose that you found challenging? You've started to declutter your home after speaking about it for months right? Yes! So be kinder to yourself by treating these small wins as stages just as important as the bigger wins. These micro-victories, when celebrated, become stepping stones to greater achievements, fueling a sense of progress that keeps us motivated throughout the month.
Remember, joy doesn't demand a grand parade; it thrives in the everyday fireworks of small successes.
2. Move Your Body, Move Your Mood: The January Jitterbug:
Exercise isn't just for summer bods; it's a potent antidote to the January blues. Whether you're a gym enthusiast or a couch connoisseur, find an activity that gets your heart skipping and your endorphins dancing. A brisk walk in the crisp air, a lively dance session in your pajamas (I do this to Praise and Worship music all the time), or a stretching flow amidst the stillness – even small doses of movement can work wonders for your mental well-being. I've personally been going back and forth with the idea of taking up Reformer Pilates. If you have any experience of this, please let me know your review. I have been eyeing Studio Anatomy and I think a may try out their Essentials Class which is apparently good for beginners.
Remember, consistency is key, so choose something you can realistically weave into your daily routine, even if it's just a 10-minute burst of activity.
3. Nourish Your Body, Nourish Your Soul: January Detox:
The holiday season often leaves us feeling sluggish and weighed down by festive indulgences. January is the perfect time to hit the reset button on your diet. Many Health and Nutrition gurus advise us to prioritise nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and not to shy away from healthy fats and proteins. The key is to indulge in moderation. Cooking a delicious, healthy meal can be a mindful and rewarding activity, nourishing both your body and your soul. If we are intentional about it, January could really be a month of vibrant salads, steaming veggie stir-fries, and flavourful lentil soups, fueling us with energy and light from the inside out. Now, I don't know about you but sometimes the hustle and bustle of the week does not allow me to eat as well as I would like to. So, I've decided to get a little help with my meals and use Hello Fresh to start me off on my journey to eating better and healthier this year.
If you use this link, you'll get a huge discount on all of your boxes plus a free dessert with every order.
4. Embrace the Community Glow: Combat January Isolation with Connection:
Humans are social creatures, and January can feel eerily quiet after the whirlwind of holiday gatherings. In order to combat loneliness, reach out to loved ones, join a local club or class, or volunteer in your local community. Sharing experiences, laughter, and support with others tends to remind us that we're not alone in our struggles and joys, fostering a sense of belonging that can be incredibly uplifting. I am declaring now that my January will be a month of coffee dates with friends, lively Bible study discussions, and maybe even some business networking adventures will be thrown in there somewhere.
Whatever you choose to do, just remember that the aim is to fill a few dates in your calendar with human connection and warmth.
5. Find the Silver Lining: January, the Chameleon of Months:
Instead of letting the January blues paint your world gray, choose to be the artist. Reframe the narrative. If your resolutions falter, view it as a learning experience and an opportunity to adjust your goals and make them more achievable (while still dreaming big). Focus on the positive aspects of your life – the cosy nights in, the exciting possibilities that lie ahead, the supportive friends who make you laugh. Gratitude, even for the seemingly mundane, can shift your perspective and inject joy into the everyday. Let January be a month of appreciating the quiet moments, the blank canvas of possibilities, and the chance to start anew.Remember, conquering the January blues is a journey, not a destination. Be kind to yourself, celebrate small victories, and embrace the power of practical steps to spark joy in your new year.
As the days grow longer and the sun peeks through the clouds, let January be a time for renewal, not regret. So, take a deep breath, dust off your dreams, and march through 2024 with purpose, joy, and the knowledge that even the smallest actions can ignite a fire that warms the entire year. I write this post to not only encourage you but to also encourage myself; I hope that I have succeeded in doing so.
If you would like any more info on beating the January Blues or you would like to contact someone for more support, NHS Inform have a great post on this, as well as Psych Central.
Once again, Happy New Year, and may your January be anything but blue!
With Love,
Ads x
1 commentaire
I love this… thank you!