alittlebitsocial2 For those of you who don’t know, it is ‘Blue Monday’ on Monday the 17th! The day in January when it’s been five weeks since December payday, cupboards are empty, bank accounts running dry and the thought that payday still seems a million days away, so it got me thinking. Here are my tips on How to Survive the 101 days of January.
You were probably under the impression that I was going to provide 101 tips on how to survive January, sadly not but here are my top five tips to beat the January blues.
1.A Post Christmas de-clutter
Since I was a little girl, I have enjoyed the post-Christmas clear out! When I had to find more room for Christmas gifts, I’d always felt it was the perfect time to rearrange my storage and bedroom (miss those days). I now have come accustomed to the fact that my room is what it is, so after purchasing some Ikea wardrobes (I waited nine years) it has to stay but I have ordered some new storage boxes from Amazon, reorganised my drawers and feel better for now empty appearance.
2. Budget Planning
I know, I can hear your groans! The dreaded Budget word but actually think of it as a tool to save for all those lovely things you want! We have been in our house for five years and apart from decorating we haven’t really added the finishing touches. So I have a house ‘bucket list’. Mainly for all those items like sideboards, fridge freezers, tables etc.
You could have a budget to save towards anything, ‘holidays, cars, business expansion, family, houses. I’m sure you could come up with more compelling reasons. Talking of budgets that leads on to my next idea.
3. Plan a Weekend away or Summer Holiday
January may be the time where everything just feels ‘blue’. Whether you decided to go Vegan, you suffered with ‘dry January’ or you decided it was time to give something up, that doesn’t mean the year has to be ‘blue’. I’m all for giving stuff up, but I’ve also learnt that perhaps it might not be so ‘blue with a bit of motivation.
For us January is the month when we’ve overeaten and overspent, so everything just feels a little less ‘enjoyable’. So we usually recover from this ‘boring’ month with planning our summer holiday! We used to have a mini-break in March and then a summer holiday in July, I’m hoping to squeeze in an October half term treat somewhere in the forest! Not sure if the treat is for me or the kids!
If you are looking for some tips on where to visit check out my post on visiting Cornwall.
Booking.com4. Plan, plan and planners
I’ve always been a calendar and diary kind of girl, and. I like to see it written down however lately I’ve been using my calendar on my phone. It’s colour coded for life, work, kids, blog, there are quite a few and it has been amazing! However, I told myself this year that its time to get with the old again and have bought two new planners, one is amazing and is a diary and organiser in one! The other is a motivational and productivity planner, this is all new to me so can’t really comment yet, but I love it! I also reinvented an old organiser as a new ‘travel’ planner. Why not spend an hour or two making some plans.
5. Get outside into the big wide world
January is often the month for the dreaded new years revolutions, giving a lot of things up with the motivation of losing weight, saving money and we all know that by the 31st they will be a distant memory. However, don’t let that stop you! I’ve lived in my little town for nearly five years and the last few months has been a time of discovery, little side alleys, a new pub and re-discovering my love of a library. You don’t often need to travel too far to experience things, It’s my year’s goal to visit all the coffee shops, restaurants, bars and boutiques in the area and give them a try (covid-19 permitting). We even have a local museum, I have yet to wander around! Bring on the year of new things. If you want some tips on what to do on the rainy days of January please check out day Out with Kids and their tips on a rainy day.
Did you do anything different to escape the January blues? Any suggestions for the year ahead? Perhaps you find the whole of January as a blessing! Please drop me a comment below!
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Great tips, thanks for sharing. I enjoy doing all of that, besides making a budget, gotta find a way to start loving it 🙂
Budgets are so horrid, right? I hate them! hahaha. Thank you for reading. 🙂
Wonderful tips! I have started my de cluttering process and it feels so good! Also getting out for a walk even in the winter so helps! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thank you, Amanda. A good new year clutter is so good for the soul! 🙂
I think planning a Summer trip somewhere, even a day trip is such a good idea — going off to do it now!
It helps the dark days feel a little less dark, even if you don’t book. It’s nice to just have a browse, maybe consider accommodation prices etc. We always book our breaks in January/February time! I hope you find somewhere nice to visit!
Really great tips! I have to agree that getting organised is a great way to kick start the year xx
Thank you, Della, I think it does pay to start the year a little motivated. Especially given the current situation, it can feel very easy to ignore it all.
Fab post! So many people struggle with January, and this year especially. Thanks for sharing these great tips x
I always struggle with January, it’s my least favourite month of the year and it feels never-ending but I like to feel organised. I’m a little behind this year, due to homeschooling but can’t wait to get stuck into all my deep cleaning!