Ah, January. The month where we shake off the glitter from New Year’s Eve, pack away the last of the mince pies, and leap into the year with more gusto than a toddler discovering the joys of a chocolate fountain. It’s all resolutions, vision boards, and the belief that this is the year we’ll finally master French, run a marathon, and learn to make sourdough without creating a flour tornado in the kitchen. But before we get carried away, let’s settle into five friendly reminders to make this January as fabulous and functional as possible.
You Can Work Hard and Still Take Care of Yourself
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the hustle culture. Sure, working hard is commendable, but who decided that success required sacrificing sleep, eating over the sink, or developing a caffeine dependency that rivals Gilmore Girls? Spoiler: It doesn’t. We don’t have to be like Lorelai and ask Luke for “Coffee, Coffee, Coffee” to keep us fueled or power-through our day!
Self-care tip: Schedule breaks in your day. Yes, like actual, calendar-worthy breaks. Set an alarm if you have to. I have a break scheduled in my calendar every 1.5 hours. Use that time to stretch, sip tea, or simply stare out the window dramatically as if you’re in a rom-com. Bonus points if you hum the soundtrack.
Fun Idea: Introduce a “work-hard, rest-harder” reward system. For every task you smash, treat yourself to something small but delightful. It could be a fancy biscuit, a quick dance party, or five minutes of scrolling memes guilt-free.
You Can Have Wild Goals and Still Stay Grounded
Dream big, they say. Be audacious. Shoot for the moon! But what happens when your wild goals start feeling less inspiring and more like an unachievable to-do list?
Grounding strategy: Break those massive goals into bite-sized steps. Want to write a novel? Start with 500 words a day. Dreaming of running a marathon? Begin with brisk walks and cute running shoes that scream “I’m serious but stylish.”
Fun example: Imagine you’re building a cake. Each small step – mixing batter, baking layers, icing – is essential to the towering masterpiece. And yes, you get to lick the spoon (metaphorically speaking).
You Can Support Others and Still Prioritise Yourself
We’ve all heard it: “You can’t pour from an empty cup”. But let’s be real, most of us are out here with a half-empty mug, trying to water everyone’s garden while neglecting our own. It’s time to rethink that.
Prioritising tip: Practise the magical art of saying “no” – with love, of course. If a request doesn’t align with your capacity or values, it’s okay to decline. Saying no to others can mean saying yes to yourself.
When I first started saying No, I felt awkward, guilty and selfish but the more often I said it, the easier it became. People around me, friends, family, co-workers began to respect my boundaries so instead of expecting me to say yes, I get asked “Bhupi, do you have the capacity to …?” It’s amazing!
Remember How your treat yourself is how others will treat you! – read that again.
Fun practice: Create a “Me First” checklist. Every morning, jot down three things you’ll do for yourself before helping anyone else. It could be as simple as enjoying your coffee while it’s still hot, reading a chapter of a book, or singing loudly (and badly) in the shower.
You Can Have Boundaries and Still Stay Connected with Others
Boundaries can sound like a buzzkill, but honestly, they’re just a way of saying, “I value you and myself enough to set clear expectations.” Think of boundaries as the polite bouncer of your very own personal nightclub.
Connection tip: Communicate your boundaries early and often. It’s not about keeping people out; it’s about creating a healthy, mutually respectful dynamic.
Fun example: Treat your boundaries like a fancy velvet rope at an exclusive event. You decide who gets VIP access, who’s on the guest list, and who needs to wait outside until they’ve sorted their attitude. I love doing this with certain peeps!
You Can Enjoy Life and Still Take Responsibility for Your Well-Being
Here’s the thing: You don’t have to choose between being a responsible adult and having a good time. The key is balance. Life is too short to skip dessert, but it’s also too long to live on just cheesecake and vibes.
Responsibility hack: Plan indulgences. Want to binge-watch an entire series? Cool, just make sure you’ve ticked off the essentials first. The same applies to spontaneous pub nights or last-minute road trips – enjoy them, but make sure your bills are paid, and your laundry pile isn’t trying to escape.
Fun idea: Make a “responsible yet ridiculous” to-do list. For every boring task, pair it with something fun. Example: After cleaning the kitchen, dance in your socks to 80s music. Done meal prepping? Reward yourself with an overly elaborate hot chocolate creation.
Bonus Reminder: January Isn’t a Sprint… It’s a Stroll
We tend to treat January like the opening act of a Broadway show, expecting it to set the tone for the entire year. But guess what? It’s just one month. If your resolutions wobble or your energy dips, it’s okay. The year is a marathon, not a sprint, so pace yourself and remember to enjoy the view along the way.
Final fun tip: Create a January joy jar. Each day, write down one thing that made you smile, laugh, or feel grateful. By the end of the month, you’ll have a jar full of lovely moments to remind you that, despite the cold mornings and short days, life’s pretty fantastic.
I usually write one or two things that brought me joy and what I am grateful for. During the holidays, I read them out loud with the kids and it makes my heart sing because there is so much to be grateful for every single day!!
Now go forth and conquer January – one sassy, self-loving step at a time!
