…things I loved about January.
Spoiler alert – I actually detest January. It’s long, boring, and empty thanks to Christmas ending and being exhausted from like 10 months of constant go, go, go.
January and February are not my favorite months. They’re my least favorite. January is not in a hurry. January isn’t worried about impressing anyone. January is sweatpants, epitomized. And I’m ashamed to admit that I actually kind of loved it this year.
Yes, I just said what I said. I said I loved the journey of January for us this year. The slow days, the slow moments, the sweatpants and no plans moments. Yes, Queen. Yes. While the rest of the world was making resolutions and doing the most, my family and I were doing no such thing…and it was glorious.
I enjoyed January this year, and here are the four things I genuinely loved.
The slowness
Usually, I dislike January because it’s so long and slow. I don’t like it because there’s literally nothing in January worth writing home about (but also happy birthday month to my husband, I’m sorry you were born prematurely in such a dumb month). It’s boring because the holidays are over, and my post-holiday season depression settles in.
But this year, I enjoyed the slowness of January. It was dark and gloomy, and you know I fucking love that. Mornings were very quiet. The days weren’t so rushed. We don’t make plans in January because our lives are nothing but a constant plan from March to December, so we just let it be what it is, and that was so nice this year.
Our house was full of kids and their friends, our friends, and slow moments. Lots of sweatpants and hoodies and football games and game nights and good books, and I embraced it this year. Dare I say I feel as if I’m going into February revitalized and recovered?
The lack of plans
Perhaps you think I’m exaggerating when I say March-December is one big plan for us, but I’m not. It’s constant sports, travel, birthdays, events, holidays, etc. I’m not complaining because we do love it, but it’s exhausting. Knowing that January is the month when we give ourselves a bit of grace by making no advance plans and keeping the calendar clear is such a vibe: The BEST vibe.
We actually did a lot in January, but it was all things we decided last-minute. Date night? Yes. Dinner with friends? Of course, but no one is wearing real clothes. We had fun, but we had fun that wasn’t pre-planned and didn’t take up every single moment of our freedom. Highly suggest.
The Longness
January is like….80384727594 days long. It truly is. It’s actually STILL January for the 89th week of the year, but I like it this year. I truly like it. Why? Because let me explain to you how fast the rest of the year flies by, and then let me tell you how much I’m not looking forward to how quickly it’s all about to feel. I needed this January to help me feel like time is a little bit slower than it’s been.
Just being present
January wasn’t for a glow up or a huge resolution or a major life change or a restart or anything dramatic. It was just about being here in this life I enjoy doing the things I love the most, like my husband and being a mom and playing games and reading books and movie nights and cooking elaborate meals, and too many desserts. It was all a big yes for me, and I really embraced that this year.
Now, will I go into future years looking forward to January? Absolutely not. Not even a little. January is still a ridiculously stupid month, but I’m allowed to choose a few things to like about it, even if it’s at the bottom of the list of favorite months.
Is this me maturing? Perhaps.
Perhaps not.
But I shall call you gentle January and try not to be mad at you from now on.
Tiffany Raiford 