January 28, 2022

Joy in January

Charleston, SC

Being joyful in January might seem like an exaggeration or an impossible feat for some – I definitely catch myself falling into that category. Between the round up of illnesses coming through our house, the gloomy skies and cold temperatures, I have to make a conscious decision each day to stay positive and look for the little perks to keep my outlook upbeat. Here are the six things I’ve done to try and make January memorable instead of mopey.

Meditation

I’m using the Simply Being App for 5 minutes, 3 times a day. Some days I’ve managed three times a day. Other days I’ve been so busy I’ve only had time for one longer session. But this is a bit of a breakthrough for me. The app let’s you do as little as 1 minute, but they have a variety of mini-sessions. I have been doing the 3 and 5 minute sessions and I’m honestly amazed and what a difference a few minutes of meditation makes. I know what it feels like to be relaxed. And there are many days where that is not in the cards for me. Whether I’m busy with work, family, friends or all of the above, finding a few minutes to completely disconnect from the world around you and find your breath can be an amazing gift to yourself. Depending on how much time you have, the Calm and Headspace apps are also popular. I chose Simply Being because of the mini-sessions – they’re quick and they get the job done.

gratitude journal

I have heard and read about people doing this for who knows how long. For some reason I actually picked up a pen and paper and started one. I try to write something different each day and it has given me a sense of peace and gratitude. There is an extra benefit for me to actually pick up my pen and write down the basics along with something unique to each day if it happens. I’ve even asked my daughters to do it with me once a week and we share our thoughts with one another. It always seems to spur an interesting conversation and gives me more perspective on how they are growing up and seeing things for themselves. As a college kid, I always felt something special when I would see Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night. It’s a nice way to have an art-inspired journal that gives you a little visual inspiration. I also love this set from Rifle Paper Company Lori gave me. They are small and lightweight and I love using them as a travel journal as well.

moisturize

Somehow I haven’t been spending my winter weekends sunning myself in the Caribbean – shocking I know! This time of year I feel pretty pale, and let’s be honest, as a woman in her mid- 40’s, I spend way more time applying sunscreen and seeking shade under a wide-brimmed hat. During these dry months, I’m able to achieve great results using Revision Intellishade tinted moisturizer with sunscreen, a two-tone Trish McEvoy bronzer, a lipstick/lipgloss combination that I love in Plum and New Romantic, 24 hr Eye Shadow Liner by Trish McEvoy , and some Sturm glow drops. The makeup gives me the color I need and the glow drops have their desired effect. I also use L’Occitane ultra rich body cream to fight my dry skin after a bath or shower to try and lock in as much moisture as possible.

home refresh

We moved during the summer of 2020, and I have been struggling to make decorating decisions in the new house. On the days where I have had a couple of free hours I’ve tried to make headway looking at fabric, rugs and lighting so this house will eventually come together and be the dream house I envisioned. No matter what house I’ve lived in, there always seems to be one room where there is a bit of neglect on my part. It usually has to do with taking the time to organize the room. So whether it’s a big or small project, this is a great time of year to regroup, reset or refresh a room that needs your TLC. Some of the companies I’ve found helpful are Circa Lighting, John Robshaw, and Annie Selke.

spontaneity

My husband Harry and I play a game we’ve named “Around the World With Wine.” You can apply this to any number of categories, depending on what you like. Desserts, recipes, eating out, different venues to exercise, or as my Bristish husband would say “whatever you fancy.” I like the easy route where I pick a new wine from a random region around the globe. Harry bought me a coffee table book called the World Atlas of Wine a few years ago and that always fuels the choice (and our future travel fantasies!) We take turns making that week’s pick, tasting new wines and discovering new labels. We make it fun and take the time to open the bottle together and share our thoughts on the first glass to see what we like about it. We’ve discovered it’s a fun and inexpensive way to treat ourselves to something special and we only spend $25. Harry’s most recent find was this Tempranillo and I really enjoyed this Nebbiolo. Both great European wines for less than $15.

plan a trip

I’ve yet to make it to Sea Island, Georgia. The Cloisters is a hotel I’m looking forward to visiting and I’m going with a girlfriend. As much as I enjoy traveling with my family, I realize the benefit of traveling occasionally for myself. It’s a big world and traveling is a great way for me to check in with myself and think about how I’m doing. I find that taking a step back from my everyday life even for a few days helps me gain perspective about what I’m doing well and what areas I need to improve. I always try to come home refreshed and with a renewed energy to deal with whatever challenges I have on my plate.

“Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home…it’s your responsibility to love it or change it.” -Chuck Palahniuk

Joy in January

Meditation

gratitude journal

moisturize

home refresh

spontaneity

plan a trip

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