How is your January going? Have you ever been studying weblog and social media posts about what’s in and what’s out in adorning tendencies for 2025, phrases of the 12 months, resolutions it is best to make and winter adorning concepts?
Usually this sort of content material is what can be capturing my consideration and I might be writing about now that my vacation decorations are packed away within the attic.
This 12 months although “cozy-ing” up the adorning in my lounge for the winter months and posting about it will not be the perfect use of my time as every little thing within the room must be eliminated so it will possibly develop into a building zone subsequent week. Contractors can be making a multitude as they put up a brand new ceiling within the room.
When interested by not with the ability to make my lounge winter cozy and never figuring out what to submit about since I’m nonetheless placing the ending touches on different tasks I’m engaged on to share with you, I remembered a draft define I wrote of a submit I entitled, Jan-YOU-ary. It has been sitting within the backend of my weblog for 3 years.
Studying it gave me readability about not stressing that I can’t beautify my lounge for winter as I at all times do in January. It additionally allowed me to understand what January may very well be about as a substitute of solely about making yearly resolutions and lofty targets I could not be capable to see by.
Doing a deeper dive into the topic I discovered that analysis has proven that across the second to the third week of January, many individuals abandon their New Yr’s resolutions attributable to challenges in sticking to their targets.
This acquired me considering why January 1st as a day to make life adjustments doesn’t make sense. It’s too quickly after the vacations. We’d like a break after the busyness of the vacation season spent with household and buddies even when they had been pleasurable earlier than beginning any new routines that may require willpower and focus.
As an alternative of leaping proper into beginning new targets and routines on January 1st and stressing about not sticking to my posting plans due to all that is occurring in the home, I’ve determined to hearken to the Jan-YOU-ary knowledge I began to put in writing about 3 years in the past to take some downtime only for me. The development occurring in the home is permitting me to lastly do it.
What’s a Jan-YOU-ary About?
Jan-YOU-ary is all in regards to the emphasis on “you”. A time to go gradual, loosen up, and renew your self. It may also be no matter you personally need or want in your life proper now.
Possibly it’s beginning to eat higher or to go after a aim, but it surely doesn’t must be. It may very well be taking the time to hibernate or to undergo the month in a gradual method. It means to take the time to do no matter self-care wants will aid you really feel your finest proper now.
Extra importantly, Jan-YOU-ary is about not feeling the strain that it’s important to follow a routine, a brand new 12 months’s aim, resolutions or dwelling by a phrase of the 12 months.
Embracing Downtime
I hardly ever take important time to really decelerate to get pleasure from my residence as I at all times have some challenge occurring.
Usually I might work all day and into the evenings to get my tasks executed quick, however this January I’m having fun with simply hanging out enjoyable in entrance of the fireside with candles flickering throughout.
I’m having fun with much less hustle, much less on-line social noise. I’ve been doing extra of the issues that encourage me to really feel at peace at residence.
It feels very good to take a break from my norm of overload and making an attempt to do “all of it” and “be all” to everybody. I can’t advocate doing it sufficient.
Here’s what I’ve been doing up to now in my Jan-YOU-ary days. Your comforts and every day joys could also be totally different from mine, however they offers you the thought of what a Jan-YOU-ary can develop into for you.
Jan-YOU-ary up to now for me has me taking time to do the issues that I’ve been pushing aside.
I’ve been placing a dent in my studying record and taking the time to benefit from the books I’ve on my Kindle.
I’m additionally discovering new plant based mostly recipes and organizing my recipe field. I’m additionally cleansing out my garments closet, a job that has been lengthy overdue.
I’m taking lavender epsom salt baths earlier than going to mattress to assist me loosen up and sleep soundly.
Leaning into Cozy Consolation + Pleasure
Although my lounge is naked and never embellished for the winter months because it usually can be now, I can nonetheless comfortably sit on one of many recliners within the room underneath a heat throw and watch a film or learn a ebook by the firelight.
When building does begins, that cozy recliner can be moved to the kitchen the place will probably be positioned proper up towards the kitchen desk with plastic sheeting on the opposite facet blocking the lounge.
Although this doesn’t sound very best, I’ll nonetheless be capable to benefit from the glow from my assortment of Kosta Boda votives on the desk that create a comfortable ambiance as I learn.
I may nonetheless savor comforting winter rituals like making an enormous pot of soup or stew, and letting it simmer all afternoon, baking a loaf of bread and sipping afternoon tea whereas doing nothing greater than studying or daydreaming. No targets or resolutions to fret about not attaining.
“You don’t want a particular day of the 12 months to begin to change your life. You may resolve to do one thing in a different way — spend much less cash, be nicer, drink extra water — anytime. And you may determine to do these items for an hour, a day, per week. Then see if you wish to proceed. Vowing to overtake your life on Jan. 1 and making an attempt to stay with the adjustments ceaselessly is a tall order.” – NY Instances
I just like the above quote. When I’m prepared to have interaction on working in the direction of a aim or a brand new challenge, I’ll do it when it’s the proper time for me and never really feel like I’ve to do or change something simply because January 1st is a well-liked date to take action.
So throughout my Jan-YOU-ary down time and whereas my social media feeds refill with presents to alter my food plan, change my decor and alter me, I’m simply deleting all of them and can proceed to get pleasure from focusing and savoring on what I wish to do.
Even on this quiet winter season the place I’m deliberately taking life gradual, I’m nonetheless getting executed what must get executed – however all in a gradual method with no rush to get any of it executed by a deadline.
It feels good. I extremely advocate utilizing the month of January as a time to decelerate and take a while for you. You deserve it!
If one of many belongings you get pleasure from doing in January is discovering inspiration and concepts on the way to cozy up and beautify your property for the winter months, I’ve a number of posts that you could be like.
