January always feels like the longest month of the year for me and the January blues are a real issue. The weather is usually miserable, my budget is stretched to breaking point, and there aren’t any big events to look forward to.
But, you can beat the January blues. I’ve found a few tips and tricks that help me.
1. Plan something for later in the year
I always feel better if I’ve got things to look forward to. Although I know January has to be a low-spend month, I always try to book something to enjoy later in the year. This could be anything from planning a trip to the cinema to booking a family holiday with a minimum deposit. This year, I’ve booked to take my daughters to see Hercules the Musical in London over the summer. The tickets were a bargain at £35 each and I’ve got seven months to save money for our lunch and train tickets.
2. Get out and about
Although the weather isn’t ideally suited to being outdoors, I still try to get out of the house whenever I can. A change of scenery helps to lift my mood and there are plenty of things to do that don’t have to cost a fortune. Take a look at free museums nearby, make the most of a break in the weather for a walk, or treat yourself to a coffee at your favourite coffee shop.
3. Meet up with friends
You don’t even have to leave the house for this one. Invite some friends over for a cuppa and a catch-up. You’ll be surprised at how good you feel afterwards.
4. Meal plan your favourite dinners
January is always a no-takeaway month for me and my grocery budget is carefully monitored after all the Christmas treats. But I still want to be able to look forward to my meals. So, I deliberately plan-in cooking some of my favourite things each week. Often, these will be meals that require a little more effort, but that makes them feel more like a treat. This week, for example, we’ve got a soy and ginger fish dish. I don’t cook it very often because it’s a bit of a faff. But that’s what makes it feel special.
5. Movie nights
January is my favourite time to snuggle down under a blanket and watch comfort films. I usually grab my favourite snacks (or if I’m feeling adventurous I bake) and spend the evening curled on the sofa with the lights dimmed and curtains closed. It’s much cheaper than a trip to the cinema and I can pause for toilet breaks. Bonus!
Let me know if you give any of these a go.
What else would you add to beat the January blues?