Enjoying January

 

Hey guys! Happy Thursday and welcome back.

How has January been treating you so far?

I always used to think of January as a bit of a slump month. A month where nothing really happens, everyone's poor after Christmas and generally the weather is pretty naff.

But I really have started to enjoy January and embrace the first month of the year.

Granted living in Spain we do have better weather then the UK for example, but not as good as other countries around the world. I think sometimes you do have to just enjoy it for what it is and make the most of it.

It has been a lot colder and somedays I really don't want to venture outside as the wind is bitter. I do make sure I do my daily walk though and get my steps in, that's a complete non-negotiable, no excuses. I do a minimum of 6500 steps a day now and I really have got myself into the 'habit' of walking everyday and it has made such a difference. Instead of going first thing in the morning this time of year I switch it up and pick when the warmest part of the day is and just head out then. 

So not wanting to go out too much in January, instead of moping around and complaining about it now I just get on with more jobs indoors. Not exactly groundbreaking stuff, but when you literally change your mindset everything really does feel so much lighter and doable. Last week I painted our entrance porch and gave it a real good clean and tidy up. It's really freshened the place up. I always think it's important to have a tidy, clean and clear entrance way, something to do with feng shui. I can't remember exactly, but I know it's recommended that your porch or entrance to your home should be welcoming and clutter free, which just makes sense really.

Keeping with the cleaning and tidying theme I've also cleaned out and tidied up my most messiest and disorganised kitchen drawer. It's quite a deep drawer where all the spare, duplicated utensils and odd bits of crap end up being shoved in there. I think everyone has a drawer like that. Please tell me you do! I literally got everything out, cleaned the drawer, was fairly ruthless and sensible with what needed to stay, which to be fair was most things, but anything broken or gone a bit yukky that literally doesn't and won't get used I threw away. I washed everything up and put it all back in nice and neatly. I was really chuffed with this one actually and it's stayed tidy too, it's a lot more organised and user friendly.

drawer before

drawer after

I'm also using the slower pace of January to get going with my blog and to add in some more exercise to my weekly routines. At the moment I do my walking which I've said about, but I really need to get in the habit of also doing some toning exercises. I've really noticed lately that I'm starting to get bingo wings, I'm at that age I guess! So I'm consciously making myself do some weights throughout the week. I haven't got into a full habit yet, but I'm trying.

I'm also enjoying being able to wear my winter clothes. I do love having the opportunity to wear my jeans and jumpers and wrap up in my big coat. That is something I miss from living in the UK is all the lovely winter fashion. So it is nice when I get to wear it.

I hope you haven't found January too much of a bore! I'm curious, do you like to embrace it and use the time to have tidy ups and sort outs, maybe try to form a healthy habit like me? or are you happy that we're nearly at the end of the month and closing the door on January!

Either way I hope it's been a good one! 

♥ Heather