Boy, was I ready for the calendar to flip to February. While I always love the start of a new month, something about January ending seemed like it couldn’t come fast enough. I spent most of January feeling very low energy, craving quiet nights in and space in my schedule even more than usual. Post-holiday blues coupled with guilt over not being as goal oriented as I felt I “should” caused many days of just going through the motions.
There’s just something about January, isn’t there? Everywhere you look, you’re reminded that you’re supposed to be better. Magazine articles urge you to lose your bad habits, supermarkets prominently display their 100 calorie snack packs, and there is a general sense of “starting over” everywhere. Even here.
You see, the land of blogging is also the land of self improvement. You put your goals out there, you report back, you’re held a little bit more accountable than usual. But what if you don’t accomplish any of your goals? What if you slink home after work, make a piece of cinnamon toast for dinner and watch 5 back-to-back episodes of How I Met Your Mother?
But the very best part is, I know so many of you are right there with me. So what if I didn’t make my bed every day or find a new yoga studio? I did what came easily to me, and took a month to relax and restore myself.
I cleaned out my closet. I read 3 books (Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, The Paris Wife, and One Day), I caught up with a very dear friend over Vietnamese food. I went to a Thievery Corporation concert. I watched many hours of Downton Abbey. I made a delicious new soup and helped make my boyfriend’s famous chili. I made many cups of tea. I slept until noon. I had brunch in the city, browsed Eastern Market, and spent a blissful afternoon in a used bookstore.
And now, it’s February, and my planner boasts a new set of goals that I’ll aspire to achieve, piece by piece. But really, if I just accomplish painting my nails red, snuggling up with my beau on Valentine’s Day, and being a little less hard on myself? Well, that would be just fine with me.
{Image via Pinterest}
3 comments:
:) I was so happy to read this. Just yesterday, I was thinking about the whole process of making resolutions. How we spend so much time thinking about what we did crappily in the preceding year, brainstorming what we'd like to do differently, and how we spend so little time being proud over the things we did right, and even just the things we did.
It sounds to me like your January was delightful! (And How I Met Your Mother is a very worthwhile way to spend your time!) :) Here's to a happy February!
Sounds to me like you had a wonderful January. You're right, there is extra pressure for goals and new starts, etc. in the new year on blogland. Me, I'm just now figuring out how I want to focus my energies during this year.
I was just thinking about you yesterday so I'm really glad to see this post. Sometimes even when you set your sights high, it's important to sit back and recognize the little things that you loved along the way. I'm glad that February is here for you now. Sending you hugs and all the best! ENJOY February! :)
Post a Comment