January with her cold shoulder and freeze is finally upon us, on the heels of the most delightful time of year; it seems a cruel joke that Christmas should be followed by such grey and cold and wet; ensconcing us in the thick of winter. A month of Mondays, leaving us in need of pick me ups and a desperate search of soul soothing. I have a list, of course I do, of tried, tested and true things to get us all through. Tongue twister ha!
Read romance: Nothing soothes the soul like a fantastic romance novel and here are my top picks for a great re-read:
- REEL– Kennedy Ryan,
- Art of Scandal– Regina Black (best book of 2023), Review here.
- Knockout– Sarah MacLean,
- Devil of Downtown– Joanna Shupe. Review here.
- Happy Place– Emily Henry,
- The Song of Achilles– Madeleine Miller,
- Love in Colour– Bolu Babalola. Review here.
Head out in the morning to chase the sun: I am a firm believer in watching the sun rise because it is the most miraculous time of day; whilst sunset is most charming, there is something fulfilling about the first light of day and even more celestial watching the sun take its first breath. January is always a hard month to wake up to in the mornings, but try it once or twice.
Invest in a luxurious night-time routine: This is where you give the skin a chance to revive itself outside of the elements. I believe in a luxurious night-time routine, slathered with moisturisers and essences and serums. Spree on some silk pyjamas and robes whilst you are at it, and parade your home with that gone with the wind fabulousness that you are!
Play hostess: Two nights in the month host your friends, be a soft place for them to land, create a home away from their home, get wine, champagne, cook food and gather round for a night of good fun.
Sunday morning: There is something sacred about a Sunday morning, DUH! So wake up early, if you go to church do that, if you pray, do that. Then come home and bake whilst listening to a novel by Nora Roberts, because nothing will be more romantic or soothing. My pick is the bride quartet and if you are going to bake make it Savour the Moment.
Try new recipes: Because we all love a bit of fun in the kitchen, try a recipe and try it again, make it perfect and set yourself a meal for one. Whilst you are at it, curate new cocktail recipes to have in your arsenal because you never know when you need one.
No resolutions, no five-year plan: For the love of God, no resolutions and no five-year plans, no nothing. It is okay to go into the New Year without plans, because who the hell knows what the world has in store for us in 2024? I mean two wars raging was not on anyone’s bingo card, for 2023, was it?
Movie night for one: Watch Christmas movies in January because nothing will be more wholesome than a Christmas movie and yes January is still such a time to hold on to the magic of Christmas so host a movie night for one complete with popcorn and champagne.
Hop on a train: Nothing can be more romantic than a train journey somewhere, Bath, Paris, Vienna, Amsterdam, Oxford… book a ticket to somewhere no one knows your name and potter round the nooks and crannies.
Make plans to be outside: Yes, it is cold, yes, it is grey, and as I type this, it is raining cats, dogs and all other animals; but make plans to be outside because… just because, outside does the body good so be outside as often as the cold and rain will let you. Sometimes do it in the cold and rain and dare the elements.
But when all else fails just remember that winter is a season of the great hibernation when we return to ourselves and Mother Nature replenishes the soul in preparation for a hopeful spring… eternal. I had to!