It's cold, it's grey and it's beyond gloomy, it must be January. I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with the short days in (what feels like) the longest month of the year. We've just had the high of the festive season, started off the year with the obligatory 1st of Jan hangover, and then suddenly: nothing. All of this is of course heightened by the fact we're still in lockdown, with no idea of when things might start to change. I will be the first to admit that I struggle with the January Blues, which often continue on into the February and March Blues....let's just say I need Spring and sunshine to start to feel a little more positive. But, there are a number of things that I like to do to try and get over the hump, so check out my 10 ways to beat the January Blues!
Ten Ways To Kick The January Blues & Live A More Positive Life
1 | I'm sorry, but no Dry January for me! We're having a tough enough time as is, without depriving ourselves of what little pleasure we have. I'm all for opening that delicious bottle of booze -my current drink of choice is Whitley Neill Rhubarb & Ginger Gin & tonic, perfectly smooth and warming for these chilly months- watching that glorious liquid flow into a pretty glass (again, simple pleasures) and topping it with all the best spices, and maybe some dried rose petals, cos I'm extra like that.
2 | Draw yourself a really hot bath and soak all those blues away. Light some candles, use all of your favourite products and bath salts, and really pamper yourself.
3 | Try to plan out your day. In our current way of life it can be so easy to fall into a rut: wake up late every morning and stay in your sweats all day, but actually planning out your day and writing a (do-able!) to-do list makes all the difference. It gives you a purpose for the rest of the day, or week, and being able to tick off all the things you've achieved will make you feel so much better!
4 | Make ordinary days a little bit more special by starting it off with a nice breakfast. Go out and buy some fresh croissants and make your favourite frothy coffee. Live your true French Girl life for a day.
5 | Workout! I honestly believe this is the best way to start your morning, that endorphin rush really sets you up for the rest of the day. With gyms being closed here, I've turned to Les Mills on Demand to get my workouts in. Their choice of workouts is so varied and their instructors are incredibly encouraging, honestly, do yourself a favour and get a subscription!
6 | Start a new diary, and choose a word to inspire your year. Pick a word that you feel will guide you for the next year, a word you can keep coming back to to remind yourself of what you wanted this year to be. My word for 2021 is LIVE, I have promised myself that this will be the year I'm open to anything and properly live.
7 | Go for lots of walks. Getting fresh air and exercise is so easy and yet so important. Try to really pay attention to your surroundings, put on your fave playlist and just keep on walkin'.
8 | Invite your friends over, make your favourite snacks and have a good old-fashioned movie or wine night.
9 | Redecorate your space. It's a new year and that means we all suddenly get the urge to refresh things. I absolutely love interior design, and I tend to redecorate A LOT, so I definitely feel like giving my bedroom a refresh will be a good project to get me through January. And if you don't feel like decorating, go out and treat yourself to a beautiful bouquet of bright blooms, this is my go-to trick to brighten up my space and my mood!
10| Getting creative has been proven to boost your mood. So, get baking, or finally get those travel pics printed and put them into beautiful scrap books full of memories, or buy yourself an embroidery set and get sewing...There's so many ways to get creative, and the lovely thing is you'll be making lots of beautiful things to dot around your house or gift to friends whom you haven't seen in a while.
Finally, if all else fails, WALLOW! We don't always have to be doing things or ticking things off a list to feel worthy or like we've achieved something. I know I've written a list of 10 ways to get over your January Blues, but to be perfectly honest sometimes you've just gotta accept that you've woken up in a shitty mood, to a shitty day, and all you want to do is curl up under the warm covers with a cuppa and some ice cream to binge-watch your fave Netflix show of the moment (mine is Bridgerton...oh hello, Duke of Hastings!) AND THAT'S ALL GOOD! Just remember that when you're feel like you want to make a change, there's always some mood-enhancing tips and tricks right here!
What do you do to get yourself out of your January slump? Leave all your tips and suggestions in the comments. Have a great day, xxx
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