Cozy sweaters, wood burning fires, art projects, blankets, red wine, books, afternoon tea…
I’ve been thinking lately about how January gets a bad rep. When it comes to the twelve months of the year, this one tends to be the least favorite of all. The post-holiday season let-down. The failed resolutions. The introspection on our flaws and efforts to correct them…these are at the forefront.
In the heart of winter, we truly should be focusing on our self care. We really don’t need self criticism on top of the weather, do we?
The rain, sleet and snow are here now. It’s time to restore, reset and rest. All the R’s.
So, how do you get through this least favorite month? Here’s a few ways I do:
Try a new flavored loose-leaf tea
Buy a few cozy sweaters, they’re all on sale now
Stock up on art supplies, they’re also on sale this month
Catch up on favorite shows via on demand or netflix
Try a new recipe
Work on my to be read (TBR) list of books
Get outside and play
Spread paint on my journals, papers and canvases
Write, doodle, and write again
Indulge in home made hot cocoa:
1/3 cup well chilled cream, 1 tbsp. of sugar, 4 oz. fine quality chocolate (bittersweet or dark) 2 cups whole milk. Mini-marshmallows. Lactose free options should be available at your market.
Beat whipping cream and sugar in mixing bowl until stiff peaks form. In small saucepan, heat chocolate and milk, on medium heat. Stirring until they blend together and appear steaming hot. (don’t overheat as it will get a skin on top). Remove from heat and pour into your favorite winter mug. Top with whip cream and shave extra chocolate on top. Add mini-marshmallows.
Just thinking how to improve our month of January with winter indulgences instead of restrictions on our habits…pondering how to feel better and make the most of this deep winter month.
How are you feeling about winter or specifically, January?
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Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
January 18, 2020 at 4:34 pmThanks for the cocoa recipe. 🙂 I’m not a big fan of January or winter. I think that’s probably the time of year when I read the most and when I watch the most Netflix, etc. My version of hibernating until spring, I guess, haha.
lisa
January 19, 2020 at 11:19 amYou’re welcome, Suzanne. I hope you enjoy it…add that whip! Hibernate like the bears…I do, too.
Christine Carter
January 18, 2020 at 7:44 amGirl, these are AWESOME suggestions! I have a love-hate relationship with winter. I hate the depressing scene outside and the gloom and cold really affect my state of mind- BUT, I rather love being home and cozy and hibernating with good books, writing, warm food and hot coffee, naps and just being plain lazy!! The weather gives me permission to be quiet and restful… I love that.
Thanks for that delicious hot cocoa recipe! YUM.
lisa
January 19, 2020 at 11:17 amYes, me too, Chris! I also love the cozy part of winter. I do need fresh air though, so I try to get outside a little bit everyday. Bundling up over here. Quiet and restful is good. You’ll be winding up in the spring again with all the sports and school parent stuff!! ENJOY <3 xx
My Inner Chick
January 18, 2020 at 7:38 am–I just love your perspective on life, Lisa!
Winter is HARD in Minnesota & COLD & brutal.
But I’m living, writing, watching Netflix, eating chocolate, and reading your blog! xxxxx (Throwing snow at you right now ) metaphorically, because I’m too much of a wimp to go outside!
lisa
January 19, 2020 at 11:16 amAw, thank you, Kim! Yes, very similar to the Alberta winters I endured for over twenty years. So you have MY empathy!! Chocolate is the answer along with Netflix. Haha, love me a snowball in the face (only if it’s soft snow) 😛 😛 😛 Nice to see you, Kim xx
ShootingStarsMag
January 16, 2020 at 8:09 amI’m not the biggest fan of Winter, but it doesn’t really seem like Winter where I live yet…more like a lot of rain. I’d love one big snow. I do love being all cozy and reading a good book or watching Tv or something though. 🙂
-Lauren
lisa
January 16, 2020 at 9:26 amYes, one big snow shows us who’s boss. We live in LOTS of rain, too. It can get a bit dreary but the snow surely brightens things up, even the night sky. Read, read and read some more. I LOVE that. Just wish I had an actual wood burning fireplace! Have you been watching a series on Netflix?
Balroop Singh
January 15, 2020 at 6:47 pmJanuary sucks…I know Lisa, California is so good all the year round but January is indeed bad, chilly winds but no snow! Thanks for that delicious recipe…loved it! 🙂 Stay warm dear friend.
lisa
January 16, 2020 at 9:23 amHi Balroop, we’ll get through this month…with lots of hot chocolate 😀
We typically get a snowfall once or twice a year. Now we have it, so hot chocolate is on the menu. Thanks, Balroop xx
DGKaye
January 15, 2020 at 3:39 pmLoved this Lis. Ya, January gets a bad wrap with a blah rating, lol. But January is always a busy month for me, getting ready to go away on vacay with a million things to do it zips by. Counting the days (okay, still a few weeks) 😉 xx
lisa
January 15, 2020 at 5:15 pmIt does go fast in spite of itself—LOL. I’m so jealous you’re going soon 😛 I can’t complain though as we had our warm holiday in early fall. Hope your vacay is wonderful, Deb. I’m sure I’ll see you around the blogosphere before your departure. HUGS. <3
DGKaye
January 16, 2020 at 6:00 pmOh thanks Lis. I haven’t left yet, a few more weeks. I do hear the west coast is getting tons of snow, and we’ve not had much. Craziness! 🙂 x
lisa
January 17, 2020 at 11:50 amMother nature is confused 😛 It’s still cold here but it’s supposed to warm up to normal temps by Sunday. Good to know i’ll be seeing you a bit longer, Deb xx
Marie Kléber
January 15, 2020 at 1:06 amI LOVE this recipe Lisa!
Self care oh yes. Good reminder. We need these moments to catch up with ourselves. And true winter is the perfect time of the year for that.
So let’s start now.
Thank you and have a blessed day.
lisa
January 15, 2020 at 10:48 amOh, good! Try it out, it’s amazing. Yes, winter is the right time to take it easy on ourselves. Thanks, Marie!
Tamara
January 14, 2020 at 6:27 pmWhat what what? That recipe is awesome. I like the description of well chilled cream. I’ll be trying it!
I kinda like January because we generally go to Florida in January, although we’re going in February this year. Still. It’s a clean slate month.
It’s also a heartache month. I can remember the few broken hearts I’ve ever had – in January. Bah!
I like the cozy comforts so much.
lisa
January 14, 2020 at 9:01 pmHaha! Yes, I was going to edit that line and take out the well chilled part. So glad I didn’t now that I know it was pleasing to you. It does sound tempting!!
I miss cream and milk but I know I can substitute lactose free milk…almost as good.
Yeah, January is a tough one. Not a good time for heartbreak yet the darkness seems to welcome it. Sleeping in, going to bed early and drinking lots of tea. Good for a heartache.
Get cozy, Tamara, until you can go away to Florida. That will be wonderful.
Ellen Shook
January 14, 2020 at 4:44 pmWe are a bit waterlogged at the moment! No weather cold enough yet for snow, which in and of itself is always sort of a lagniappe down here in Alabama. I do agree that January is a time to indulge in a little self-coddling and lots of reading, but I seem to be having a harder time getting going on more the physical things on my list. I will get there in the end, but my perspective on what is a priority and what is not seems to have adjusted itself. I am glad you adjusted your blog focus since I have no plans to get divorced, and sometimes that subject was a bit depressing, although I do enjoy your writing.
lisa
January 14, 2020 at 8:58 pmHi Ellen, Yes, I saw your Instagram photo! Whew. What is going on with all of this crazy weather? Cold here, hot on the east coast. Mother Earth is certainly confused. So, I confess here that I had to look up the word ‘lagniappe’. An extra or unexpected gift or benefit. 😀 I love learning new words, so thank you for that.
You’re not alone on awaiting the physical motivation. I am slowly getting back in the swing but it hasn’t been a cake walk.
Haha, me either. And yes, I’m really feeling great about leaving that topic behind. Nice to get your reassurance that it’s the right move. No matter how we spin it, divorce can be depressing and that’s because we’ve been there done that. 😛 😛 😛
LA CONTESSA
January 14, 2020 at 3:58 pmI need to get MY BODY OUTSIDE and prune the garden here in CALIFORNIA!But its been too cold!
Plus, I’m still not up to snuff………….thought I had it all figured out and the medical people say NO thats not what I have!!So, I am starting ALL over again with the round of doctors…………NOT FUN!
I’m in year four of these Episodes that have been getting worse not better this past month!
I hope to pass JANUARY with cleaning up spaces and pruning but that has yet to happen!!!
I still have time RIGHT?
XX
lisa
January 14, 2020 at 8:53 pmHi La Contessa, OMGosh, I’m sorry to hear this. I was so happy when you had it figured all out…Hmph. Doctors and their bad news.
Yes, you still have lots of time. The garden will be there waiting along with Banksy. I’m sending out good vibes into the universe for you. Will be checking in at your blog and see what’s what. Thanks for stopping by!
Darlene Foster
January 14, 2020 at 10:24 amI am finding January a bit easier to take now that I’m living in Spain. So maybe planning a holiday in a sunny place might be a good idea! Thanks for the hot chocolate recipe. I hope you ave a fabulous 2020.
lisa
January 14, 2020 at 10:47 amWell…indeed, Spain!! Good for you, Darlene. Nice to see your smile here at the blog. A holiday to a sunny place is always a good idea 😀