February: it’s the new new year (without the pressure)
Forget January, now is the time to get going
There’s a feeling that happens on the first of January that I’ve been trying to put my finger on. It lingers somewhere between restlessness and underwhelm — a bit meh. The ultimate ‘Sunday night’ feeling. Does anyone really feel invigorated to get going with that new goal or start off on the ‘right’ foot as soon as the clock strikes 12 to welcome in a new year?
Aside from the ending of a holly jolly Christmas, there’s the long, dark nights, cold mornings and a stretch of days that seem to last forever. For me, January is not the time to re-do the plan of life for the next 365 days or set out on a gruelling gym routine/healthy eating quest/masterful new way of organising everything [insert resolution here]. It is a time to sit back and ponder. And enjoy those last few Quality Street and cheese board remnants with the dregs of tawny port (if you’re not doing Dry January, of course).
February, though, now we’re talking.
A slow January makes for a better me, I’ve learned. Eliminate that pressure of the ‘new year’ and it all feels a little more do-able. There’s no guilt for having failed to drag myself to the gym on a frosty morning and I’ve avoided any feelings of failure because I’ve not ‘achieved’ something in the first 31 days of the year.
I spent my January largely offline with no posts on social media (aside from promo-ing my new Substack, admittedly) and made loose plans for my days that I went along with if they felt right. I’ve leaned into time spent at home and enjoyed the simplicity of pottering about and playing stacky cups with my daughter. No pressure.
But by February, I’ve contemplated and got my metaphorical ducks in a row to meaningfully set some well-thought-out intentions — however big or small. I’ve gone into the month more invigorated and with a sense that I actually want to be productive and do it on my terms, not society’s.
An example that I often come back to is that when I used to run a lot, I was a fan of giving myself a January ‘off’. I’d set a new goal or sign up to an event come the start of February and I’d stick to the plan of achieving it much more successfully. I think it’s a psychological tweak that’s pretty simple if you give yourself permission to just be in the first month of the year. Must get back to running, for that matter.
And so, my intentions (I’m not calling them resolutions) for what’s to come are by no means grand gestures or groundbreaking statements, but they include:
Writing this very Substack. I’m aiming for a weekly instalment and would love to hear your thoughts on topics covered and feel free to ask me any questions.
Refreshing the spare bedroom and creating a new working nook. The room needs a huge sort out before anything productive can happen in there, so I’m sure there will be things I can sell, donate or put to use elsewhere in the house. Which leads me onto…
Stopping with the dumping grounds. It feels like some stuff is destined to be piled up in either the garage, loft or a corner that’s easy to ignore. I’m on a mission to streamline and minimise where I can to keep things tidy. Tidy house, tidy mind.
Seeking out second hand where possible. There are some gems to be had for the home and beyond with a little patience and a good rummage. I’m addicted to Vinted at the moment both for buying and selling. And love a charity shop.
Read more. I know there are unpacked boxes of books in those aforementioned piles of stuff. I’ve been meaning to read them for a while so it’s time for some progress there. As a former five-day-a-week commuter into London, I do miss that train reading time (but that’s the only thing I miss about trains!).
Getting fresh air every day. Simple but so effective.
All of this being said, if there is one thing I do without fail at the start of every year, it’s to set a word for my year. A sort of personal summing up on what the next steps might look like. But that’s it. I feel like a word can be interpreted in many ways and isn’t as wrapped up in success or failure as a hard-lined resolution. So far, so good on that front, but it’s early days and who knows what the next 11 months will bring. I do know now that January is behind us, I can now truthfully say I feel up for it.
What about you?
P.S. I’d love it if you would be so kind as to subscribe to this newsletter. If you fancy doing so, click the button below. That way, you’ll receive every post I write directly to your inbox.