Ohhh I’m so on board with the deep wintering and the slowness of this month.
Interesting what you’ve also written about the birds, during sunset they sang so loud in the trees behind my house, so uncommon for this time of the year. In the south of Germany we say the birds start singing again only after Imbolg / Candlemass.
In my most recent post I’ve written exactly about resting and also that historically, January isn’t really the start of the new year (in addition to following nature of course it becomes clear). And also how I love that where I grew up in the Alpine region, we leave the winter decorations up for a few more weeks (latest until early Feb. oftentimes no one has patience for that though) but the whole concept of new year new me, goals etc just doest make sense. we’re still resting and don’t need to be a new person is just such a new concept I find.
Yes absolutely agree! January isn't really the start of the year at all is it, we're still very much in hibernation season. And I love the idea of keeping decorations up until early Feb - I have heard of this elsewhere actually, and I am very much considering it this year! Wishing you a lovely, restful month.
I really needed to read this little encouragement today 🙂 Here in Italy, we celebrate Epiphany on January 6th as a national holiday, which is when the Holiday season actually ends. I'm lucky that my work place allows us to follow this custom and so the return to the office will be on January 8th this year. I find it a gentler way to enter the new year.
so lovely to read through and made me feel even more hopeful for this restful month 😌 I'm returning to some freelance clients tomorrow but have scheduled in a fair bit of rest and slower days throughout
Same Jodie! I’ll be back at work tomorrow too but made sure I haven’t scheduled any work trips, large presentations and stressful deadlines so I can gently ease back.
Such a big lesson I learned from hosting 2 large trainings with over 150 attendees mid January last year and it totally drained me for months to come because I wasn’t properly wintering
Love this.. you've completely refrained January for me! I like to light a scented candle every morning in January.. it adds a little light to the dark morning and feels like a cosy ritual. Looking forward to the spiced drinks recipes 😋
This resonates so much with my thoughts on January: I've written about the need for slowness and adapting to January's pace in a recent post too, but I also love how you've combined it with pagan traditions. Feel like I'm reading a very poetic, reassuring almanac
"If the birds begin to sing in January, Frosts are on the way." I have never heard that saying before, but earlier this week I was slightly puzzled by the spring-like birdsong happening in my garden. I note now that we have had frosts every night this week culminating with a minus 9 one last night!
Oh that's so interesting! It was a new one for me too, I found it written in a couple of books while researching this article so included it out of curiosity. But then I noticed it last week; unexpectedly spring-like birdsong early in the morning followed by a cold snap and frosty weather. I don't know if maybe birdsong carries further in still, cold weather? Or perhaps we were listening out for it this year which is why we noticed it and made the connection? Either way, I'm glad someone else noticed it too!
Ah what a lovely read this is, Victoria--thank you! This has been my year to sink into January instead of flailing about, lamenting the seemingly unrelenting gloom and cold. Midway through, I finally applied my usual delightful appreciation of nature to include winter and I am changed. Seasonal magic--I’m here for it! While I will never be one to bundle up and go outside to embrace the cold **shudder** I am no longer hiding and wishing January away. And that is thanks to folks like you out here sharing with us.
No mention of goals and resolutions...I like that.
I live in a country without winter and everything starts in a fast pace. It takes consciousness to let go of joining the race and just sit back and rest for awhile.
Yes, it must be a real shift of mindset to live in a country without winter. Lovely in lots of ways, but you also need to give yourself permission to hibernate and rest a bit when needed 💫
I sold my share of a business in December and have decided to do just what you have suggested and chill for the whole month of January. Here in the Blue Ridge mountains of south western Virginia we are enjoying our usual unpredictable weather. The birds are loading up at the feeder today because they can sense a cold snap moving in with possible snow. Now that I don't have to be anywhere important it can snow all it wants. I will now enjoy being in the most important place. A little log home in the woods chilling with my wife and our dogs and the wild menagerie we host daily. I look forward to reading more of your writings.
The list of things to love about January, from the potential for beautiful wintry weather to the joys of slow living, provides a delightful shift in perspective. Your emphasis on old folklore customs, like the Wassail ceremony, adds a unique and fascinating dimension to the month. Thank you for sharing your January rituals and traditions, and I look forward to the February edition.
I fell in love with January a few years ago. The bright blank page it offers and the time to slow down and ease back into the world at my own pace is slowly becoming one of my favorite times of the year. Hygge philosophy and following the wheel both contributed to my shift in perspective too. Love this post and the sentiment it brings.
Ohhh I’m so on board with the deep wintering and the slowness of this month.
Interesting what you’ve also written about the birds, during sunset they sang so loud in the trees behind my house, so uncommon for this time of the year. In the south of Germany we say the birds start singing again only after Imbolg / Candlemass.
In my most recent post I’ve written exactly about resting and also that historically, January isn’t really the start of the new year (in addition to following nature of course it becomes clear). And also how I love that where I grew up in the Alpine region, we leave the winter decorations up for a few more weeks (latest until early Feb. oftentimes no one has patience for that though) but the whole concept of new year new me, goals etc just doest make sense. we’re still resting and don’t need to be a new person is just such a new concept I find.
Yes absolutely agree! January isn't really the start of the year at all is it, we're still very much in hibernation season. And I love the idea of keeping decorations up until early Feb - I have heard of this elsewhere actually, and I am very much considering it this year! Wishing you a lovely, restful month.
❄️🫶
I really needed to read this little encouragement today 🙂 Here in Italy, we celebrate Epiphany on January 6th as a national holiday, which is when the Holiday season actually ends. I'm lucky that my work place allows us to follow this custom and so the return to the office will be on January 8th this year. I find it a gentler way to enter the new year.
Ah, that's great! Makes much more sense to start the new year gently. Hope you have a lovely, restful week!
You had me at "hibernation rituals."
What a great flipped perspective! I’m so here for this. Let’s reframe January 👏💕
so lovely to read through and made me feel even more hopeful for this restful month 😌 I'm returning to some freelance clients tomorrow but have scheduled in a fair bit of rest and slower days throughout
That sounds like a good plan! Hope it goes well and have a lovely month 😌
Same Jodie! I’ll be back at work tomorrow too but made sure I haven’t scheduled any work trips, large presentations and stressful deadlines so I can gently ease back.
Such a big lesson I learned from hosting 2 large trainings with over 150 attendees mid January last year and it totally drained me for months to come because I wasn’t properly wintering
Love this.. you've completely refrained January for me! I like to light a scented candle every morning in January.. it adds a little light to the dark morning and feels like a cosy ritual. Looking forward to the spiced drinks recipes 😋
Hurrah! I’m all for the cosy rituals. And the spiced drinks 🍹 xx
This resonates so much with my thoughts on January: I've written about the need for slowness and adapting to January's pace in a recent post too, but I also love how you've combined it with pagan traditions. Feel like I'm reading a very poetic, reassuring almanac
Oh, I love that description, thank you very much! So happy this resonates, and a very Happy January to you 💫
"If the birds begin to sing in January, Frosts are on the way." I have never heard that saying before, but earlier this week I was slightly puzzled by the spring-like birdsong happening in my garden. I note now that we have had frosts every night this week culminating with a minus 9 one last night!
Oh that's so interesting! It was a new one for me too, I found it written in a couple of books while researching this article so included it out of curiosity. But then I noticed it last week; unexpectedly spring-like birdsong early in the morning followed by a cold snap and frosty weather. I don't know if maybe birdsong carries further in still, cold weather? Or perhaps we were listening out for it this year which is why we noticed it and made the connection? Either way, I'm glad someone else noticed it too!
Thank you for bringing a bit of sanity to January ❤️
My pleasure! Wishing you a peaceful month ahead
I'm planning on making a galatte des rois on the 6th January.
Ooh delicious! Enjoy 😊
**adding that I do leave my xmas tree lights up well into February ❤️
Ah what a lovely read this is, Victoria--thank you! This has been my year to sink into January instead of flailing about, lamenting the seemingly unrelenting gloom and cold. Midway through, I finally applied my usual delightful appreciation of nature to include winter and I am changed. Seasonal magic--I’m here for it! While I will never be one to bundle up and go outside to embrace the cold **shudder** I am no longer hiding and wishing January away. And that is thanks to folks like you out here sharing with us.
So, so pleased to hear this! And I fully endorse leaving Christmas lights up well into February too 💫
No mention of goals and resolutions...I like that.
I live in a country without winter and everything starts in a fast pace. It takes consciousness to let go of joining the race and just sit back and rest for awhile.
Yes, it must be a real shift of mindset to live in a country without winter. Lovely in lots of ways, but you also need to give yourself permission to hibernate and rest a bit when needed 💫
I sold my share of a business in December and have decided to do just what you have suggested and chill for the whole month of January. Here in the Blue Ridge mountains of south western Virginia we are enjoying our usual unpredictable weather. The birds are loading up at the feeder today because they can sense a cold snap moving in with possible snow. Now that I don't have to be anywhere important it can snow all it wants. I will now enjoy being in the most important place. A little log home in the woods chilling with my wife and our dogs and the wild menagerie we host daily. I look forward to reading more of your writings.
This sounds wonderful! I hope you have a relaxing and peaceful month in the mountains! 🌲❄️
The list of things to love about January, from the potential for beautiful wintry weather to the joys of slow living, provides a delightful shift in perspective. Your emphasis on old folklore customs, like the Wassail ceremony, adds a unique and fascinating dimension to the month. Thank you for sharing your January rituals and traditions, and I look forward to the February edition.
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it. Hope you're having a lovely January! 💫
I fell in love with January a few years ago. The bright blank page it offers and the time to slow down and ease back into the world at my own pace is slowly becoming one of my favorite times of the year. Hygge philosophy and following the wheel both contributed to my shift in perspective too. Love this post and the sentiment it brings.
Lovely to meet another January fan. I love it more every year too! ☺️ 💫