A joyful to do list for January
Happy new year, you lovely lot! After a very fun and jam-packed December, January is finally here. It’s a month that gets a pretty bad rep, but I have to admit that I actually kinda love it. There’s something about those fresh start vibes that gets me feeling all optimistic, and the lack of plans means that I usually have more time for the things I really love.
I think if you adopt it with the right attitude, January can be a pretty ace month. And to help you make the most of it, I thought I’d share one of my joyful to do lists - I’d love to hear what else you’d add to the list!
Accept that January can be joyful
The first thing on my January to do list is to accept that January can be a really joyful month! For a long time I didn’t believe that to be true, and as a result I always found the start of the year a bit of a slog, but now I love it.
By learning to embrace all of the good parts of January (a quieter calendar, plenty of down time to spend however you want, a fresh excitement in the air), you can make this month a pretty fun one indeed!
Have a declutter
I always start the new year by having a big old declutter at home. I rifle through my wardrobe, slim down my book collection, and make an extra effort to clear out those drawers and cupboards that don’t get a look in during the rest of the year.
It can be a pretty tiresome process, but nothing beats the feeling of knowing that everything in your home has a place and serves a purpose. Plus, there’s something about having a big old sort out that feels really good energetically at this time of year.
Set some goals
While I don’t buy into the whole “new year, new me” hype, I do like to take the opportunity at the beginning of each year to set myself some new goals. It feels good to have a focus for the months ahead, and I find that January is usually a quieter month, which leaves plenty of time for making things happen.
If you’re not quite sure of your goals for the year ahead yet, my new workbook, Reflect & Grow, will help you to start thinking about what they might be. Remember to let me know if you work your way through it!
Make the most of January offers
One of my favourite things to do each January is make the most of all the great offers running throughout the month. I’ve been making a conscious effort to buy less “stuff” in the last few years, but I really take advantage of some of the discounted experiences that pop up.
Loads of restaurants offer meals at half price, and there are tonnes of hotel bargains to be had, too, so make the most of the quiet period and snag yourself a bargain!
Plan something fun for the year ahead
What better way to kickstart the new year than by planning something fun for the year ahead? Whether it’s a weekend away with friends, a big trip, or a workshop that you’d love to take, having something fun to look forward to will make those cold, dark nights that little bit easier.
Plus, getting those things in the diary before your schedule starts to fill up means that you’ll have a much better chance of prioritising the stuff that brings you joy in 2020.
Get outdoors
It can be tempting to hibernate at this time of year, when it’s cold and dark, but I think there’s something truly magical about getting outdoors during winter. The light can be golden, the ground can be frosty, and even on a grey day, there’s plenty of beauty to be found. Plus, the extra boost of vitamin D is sure to work wonders after the party season!
Head out for a hike, plan a bike ride, or simply go for a wander around the block - whatever you do, the fresh air is bound to work wonders for your soul.
Try a new recipe
I like to take advantage of January being a quieter month by spending a little bit more time in my kitchen, and I always enjoy trying a new recipe or two. If you’ve been lucky enough to get a new cookbook for Christmas then maybe try something out of that, and if not, I can thoroughly recommend The Mother Cooker - I always love her recipes!
There’s something about cooking something new from scratch that is really meditative and relaxing - plus, maybe you can invite some friends round and turn it into a social occasion too.
What’s on your January to do list?
