Slow January
January is often viewed as a dreaded month. Magical Christmas is behind you and now you only face dark, damp, miserable days back to work. Believe me, I used to hate the Jan/Feb period in my calendar. I was whiling away my days waiting for spring to bloom. But now that I have recently turned 30 (eek), I really don’t want to wish away my days. This year, I am reapproaching the darkest month with a refreshing outlook, and I have compiled a few things that have already begun to help me.
Resting
I live on social media so FOMO and scrolling for hours is a biggie for me. In my early twenties, I lived for the weekend - you wouldn't find me at home. I was constantly outside because I thought I was ‘wasting my time’ by staying at home and doing ‘nothing.’ But resting cannot be underestimated. My day job is stressful and I need to ensure there is time in my schedule, where I am recouping. January is cold and usually we are all reeling from the expensive Christmas season, so why not take this opportunity to sleep in a bit or catch early nights over the weekend? Those weekend outings will still be there in the Spring/Summer, so just enjoy moving at a slower pace. Resting can also mean simply enjoying hobbies at home. For example, I have taken to listening to Radio 4 whilst I organise life admin. I’ll edit photos whilst playing some calming music in the background. Anything that brings you zen.
Self-Care
Harsh weathering, traffic pollution, stress - can all be factors in your skin feeling lacklustre. Finessing your skincare routine and making a point of taking your time when waking up and getting ready for bed can do wonders for not only your body, but your mind too. As someone who developed severe acne in my young adulthood, I was always stressed looking at my blotchy and scarred face. I would minimise how often I looked in the mirror (which was counterproductive) because I didn’t want to uncover yet another blemish. Years later, I focused on making sure only good, organic products touched my face and I made a point of looking in the mirror and smiling at myself. It can sound vain, but sometimes you need to look at your reflection and say, “I really love how my skin looks today.” Invest in high quality products because it's an investment in yourself.
Walks and Working Out
It’s easy to fall into hibernation mode during this time of year. The motivation to go workout or walk in blustery windy conditions can be very low. But it cannot be stressed enough, how important it is to move and stretch our bodies. I read somewhere that rephrasing tasks that we do can help with accomplishing it. For instance, swapping ‘I have to go to the gym today’ to ‘I get to go to the gym today’ can help change the mindset towards it. I know it feels like an overly simple thing to do, but I have found saying this to myself a few times throughout the day has helped me feel more excited about the gym. Especially because I workout after a day at the office. If the gym is simply not your thing, then walks (or jogs) in your local park/area can boost your energy and positive mental health. Plus that hot cup of tea or hot chocolate when you get back inside can be all the more rewarding!
Journaling
I have been journaling for a long time. It is a constant companion on work commutes, at coffee shops, during bedtime and it’s provided a place of solace. Jotting down your thoughts can be useful in understanding where you are at and where you want to be. We are at the start of the year - what adventures would you want to go on? Where do you hope to be this time next year? If planning the year ahead is a bit too daunting, why not think about what you’d like to accomplish within the month? Goals do not need to be external, maybe the monthly goal is to get more rest, or to eat more healthily, or maybe you want to reach out to friends and family more. Your journal can be a silent partner in your mindful explorations. It’s your space to roam freely.
Cooking
Bonafide foodie here! I love watching cooking videos and learning new recipes. My weekends currently have been reserved for expanding my culinary skills. Cooking is either a labour or love for most of us. I have been on a fitness journey for the last couple of years, so I enjoy knowing what I am putting into my dishes. Taking those extra steps to source more organically the produce I use. There was a time where I found cooking to be a chore. But now, there is something so enjoyable about making hearty stews or slow Sunday roasts. Cooking for a party of people is such a joy as well (albeit sometimes stressful lol). Why not bake a new dessert or learn alternative ways of cooking meat/fish? From vegan dishes to full meaty BBQ plates, there are so many recipes to experiment with. Take it a step further and cook with no distractions. That’s right, no loud noises of the TV blaring or generic music blasting on the radio station. Cooking in quietness can be very calming and meditative. It means you can fully concentrate on what is right in front of you and it is a chance to simply slow down.
