Surviving January...

I used to HATE January...

As far as I'm concerned, January is the month in which we should all be hibernating, not shedding our Christmas jumpers and emerging from our tinsel-clad, twinkly nests to embrace the cold, dank days that lie before us.

For me, January starts to go wrong when I receive my January salary before Christmas. While I know that I mustn't, not under ANY circumstances, spend this money until 1st January, all my good intentions go out the window the moment I hear Noddy Holder proclaiming "IT's CHRISTMAS!!" One extra tin of biscuits quickly leads to several tubes of Pringles, a bottle of Rhubarb Gin, Urban Decay's latest eye shadow palette, and a pair of glittery ankle boots to wear on Christmas Eve. I haven't even mentioned my trip to the M&S Food Hall yet...  (A note to my future self for December 2017 - do NOT, under any circumstances visit Marks and Spencer's food halls and, if you do, do NOT trade your shopping basket for a trolley halfway through your shop. This should set alarm bells ringing way before you reach the checkout). I consider my future self told.

So, yes. I always start the New Year being broke. I never learn.

Along with the lack of funds, I will have consumed my body weight in chocolate coins and drank enough Baileys to fill the local swimming pool. Hence, I always approach the New Year feeling rather sleepy and inert. This is not the time for me to be implementing a new exercise regime, or to hit the kale smoothies (be patient, little Nutribullet. I will be back for you in the Spring). Neither is it the time for me to be making knee-jerk New Year's resolutions that I already know I won't keep.

For me, it is far better to approach January in a state of quiet contemplation.  A cup of Jamie Oliver's Hot Chocolate  - and as I've already put my should out grating the chocolate for this, I feel that I deserve it -  along with a slice of Christmas cake, and everything begins to look more civilised and cheery. Now isn't the time to go cold turkey and give up all the things you like, and neither is it the time to take up jogging.

For me, January has become a gestation period; it's a month when I am kind to myself while I consider the year ahead and what I might like to achieve.

I haven't always been kind to myself in January. It is very easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of New Year, New Start, but for me, this all changed when my mum got ill. She was admitted to hospital on 31st December 1999, and the January that followed was horrendous. A couple of highs, many lows and a hypoxic brain injury that eventually lead to her death all contributed to my loathing of the month.

Over the past seventeen years, rather than approaching January with dread, I have slowly learned to adapt. While I would still hibernate for the month if I could,  instead I now look forward to being kind to myself, to making plans, and to recharging. Taking time out for myself in January helps me to prepare for the year ahead in a really positive way.

I will be posting survival tips for January throughout the month. #SurvivingJanuary

Survival Tip No. 1:

Do NOT, under any circumstances, GET ON THE SCALES, preferably until March - but at least until the end of the month. This is mandatory for your survival.