I don’t know about you, but after the holidays are over I tend to fall into a funk. In comparison to the bright fun of Christmas, January seems dark and boring.
After years of fighting the blues, I’ve finally found some ways to conquer the sadness.
My new version of January is all about taking care of myself. There are no resolutions to break and no reasons for guilt. And, because the whole point is resting and being cozy, everything I plan is easy and peaceful. Here’s what I mean.
Sit by a fire. Light a fire in your fireplace. Throw a log in the woodstove. Sit outside by the fire pit. Or, turn your TV to one of those stations with the crackling fires! There’s nothing like watching a fire to drain your body of anxiety and stress.
Hot Drinks. Whether your choice is coffee, tea, or cocoa, sipping a hot beverage feels so luxurious. Try to sit while you sip, shut your eyes and really enjoy the experience. Indulge in whipped cream and a new flavor of whatever you’re drinking.
Candles. Candles evoke a feeling of peace. I love scented candles. I try to buy soy wax candles with cotton wicks. I am calmed by the flickering light and the beautiful smell. If you’re sensitive, unscented candles or even battery candles will give you the same soft light.
Christmas lights. I follow a lovely Swedish mom on Instagram. Where she lives, her days are short and filled with darkness. She hangs white Christmas lights inside her home. They are draped over windows and curtains of them hang on her walls. The darkness outside doesn’t bother her at all.
Feed the birds. Fill your bird feeders. Don’t have any? Just sprinkle birdseed on railings or decks. Make sure you put them in front of a window so you can watch the birds. I have suet and seeds outside my patio door and I could sit and watch their antics for hours.
Read a book. Go to the library and get some fun novels (nothing heavy). Find some stories set in the winter if you can. Don’t have time to yourself? Get some classic family books and set aside 30 minutes at bedtime to read out loud to the whole family. I did this with the entire series of Laura Ingalls Wilder books when my kids were young.
Skip dinner. Make a charcuterie board instead! Fill a board or tray with meats, cheeses, fruit and crackers. Your kids will love it and you won’t have to cook. Watch a family movie while you eat.
Warm and fuzzy. Fill your house with soft throws and pillows. Indulge in a pair of fuzzy slippers or a robe. The point is to feel cozy.
Bombs. Declare war on aches and pains by buying bath bombs in your favorite scents. Make a point of soaking in the tub whenever you can.
This new way of living in January has given me peace instead of the blues. I have given myself permission to focus on relaxation instead of “resolutions, new beginnings, words for the year or organizing”. Let’s face it, being a mom during the holiday season can be exhausting and January SHOULD be a time of peace and rest.
Take back your January too and give yourself a break. It will make the rest of the year a whole lot easier.
Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
