Rest is inevitable in January!

January a time for new year’s resolutions and new beginnings. Or is it? With the weather still dark and cold. In fact, I think it feels colder somehow. The feelings of just getting on with new energy feels a little off kilt. Personally, I am in my “Wintering” phase of the year. I am not making any new fresh starts. I am reserving my energies, reflecting on what has been, and thinking on how I would like to move forward. For me it’s a time of rest, looking after myself and living with my comforts at home. Hot chocolates, movies, snuggles under blankets and rest. Plenty of rest.

But I hear you. January is a looooooong month. Both mentally and financially. It’s when everyone feels at their lowest. The dark nights, the cold weather, the never-ending month that seems to go on forever and pay day just never seems to be on its way.  Life does have to move on, we do have to work and the pressures of starting a fresh for the coming year is imamate that we feel like total failures when we don’t continue the gym sessions, or the diet we started, or whatever resolutions you set yourself. But hear me out.

What if, just what if, you try and find a little bit of time for rest. no guilt! I know right sounds crazy.

As some of you know I am a keen gardener. I am no way an expert, however I do enjoy the seasonal transition of the plants. In my garden and allotment, they are sleeping. I have put both areas to bed. The garden is tidy and bare and is asleep. The allotment has literally been tucked up with fallen leaves and covered with a sheet to keep the ground warm, while giving it the food and nourishment it needs. There is nothing for me to do in any of these areas. Other than plan. Plan my seeds, plan my bulbs, plan my layout. Rest and read up on what I am going to do. Prepare the things I need to start a good harvest for the year. But what about the house I hear you cry! What about the house? It is clean and tidy. I declutter as I go along, but again I am not starting a big or new projects just yet. The house is wintering too, with arts and craft, resting and family time. Why? Because everywhere is resting. We go to bed earlier because its darker. We are resting because the activities we do during the day take our energy and attention to function. We don’t have that glorious sunshine to help invigorate us with energy. Like the garden and allotment, we are resting and saving our energy ready for the rest of the year.

So how do we “Winter”? Simple.

No:1 – Stop putting pressure on yourself. Yep, let the little monkey in your head take a nap. There is no pressure to start a new personal project and be halfway through by the end of January. Set yourself small, manageable task, that keep it light and gentle. Remember we are taking away the pressure.

No: 2 – Financial struggles, because January and the pressure of Christmas is real, talk to the right people. Tell them the situation and what you can realistically afford. Everyone is in the same boat. Try a “No spend month” where you holdoff on any unnecessary purchases like takeaways or that new top. Be mindful on how you spend your money. Budget and plan, and most importantly talk to people about it. It helps take it out of your mind, and then it won’t eat you up so much and make you feel anxious and add to the January Blues.

No: 3 – Get outside! Go for that little walk with the family. Take a flask of tea and a snack and wrap up warm. The fresh air and being in nature will uplift your soul, put a little bit of windswept colour in your cheeks, and help you look at the world and nature in a different way. Look at what it is doing. Are there any buds showing yet, what are the birds doing? Can you see any urban squirrels about?

No: 4 – Rest. Snuggle up at home. The skirting boards can wait. It’s not spring, there is no need to deep clean just yet. Watch a Netflix series, read a book. Crochet a blanket or scarf. Play games or even start a puzzle. The aim here is to do relaxing activities that fill your soul. Sleep. Take a nap. I love a good nap. It really helps reset my overactive brain.

No: 5 – Plan. Plan the projects you want to achieve this year. Be realistic about them. Research the best ways to do them. Get all your ducks in a row and then get excited to start. For me I have planned my new allotment plot. My greenhouse has arrived and will stay in the garage till I am ready to put it together in the spring. I am planning what jobs need to be done on the site and what can be done at home and when. My plan is to start seeding at home towards the end of this month and start tidying and preparing ground from February onwards. At home, I plan to sort my youngest son’s bedroom out in February for his birthday. Looking at paint charts and new curtains etc. but again nothing will happen till next month. I am just planning.

January doesn’t have to be too difficult. Yes, it is a long month, but if we surrender to the season of rest, we will breeze through and be prepare for the rest of the year.

I hope you all have a good January, and I hope the winter season is kind to you.

Lots of Love