Do You Feel The January Dread?
The January dread for me is so real. I feel it in my bones on December 31st. And I am irritated, yes irritated, when it’s the first of the month. So come December 31st, I really start to dread the fact that the next day is January 1st. It’s a truly deep and real feeling of dread. I’d rather just continue on with December. It’s such a great month! Give me more December. I’m here for the holidays, the spending, the cheer! I love it all.
My birthday is January 20th and I have just never been one to like a birthday. Between not loving all the attention on myself, or the expectation that often falls flat, it just isn’t my favorite. I’ve seen it all on various birthdays too. Friends just being awful and not showing up for what I thought were true friendships. To the less dramatic but still irritating excuse of “dry January” or “not spending money this month” and it just sucks. Period. People who go all out for birthdays both amaze me and boggle my mind. It’s just not for me.
January is simply a yucky month overall.
The month itself is also not the greatest. The weather is just the pits. Every store is dumping all their old inventory getting ready for the next season, so retail therapy isn’t even an option. And fun fact, it’s so awful to shop in January that I tell stores my birthday is in different months so I don’t get their stupid coupons in January that I will never end up using. Smartest thing I ever did. Plus, there’s really nothing to look forward to. No events, no holidays. Sure there’s the SuperBowl which I do like, but that’s either at the end of the month or even the first week of February so I feel like it doesn’t quite count.
And as a business owner, this is the month I have to get all my taxes in order which I DREAD. Ironic, I used to want to be a tax accountant….
I saw somewhere recently that January really should not be held to this high standard of doing all the things. Starting new routines, new diets, new whatever. Instead, this month should be designed for rest and reset. Relaxing after a busy two months of holidays and chaos. Instead, we should be relaxing. Reading books, taking weekend naps, and just resting.
Then there’s the crowd who’s all about a clean start, get your life together mindset the first of the month. Tidying up your house to get it ready for the year. Purging your closet and kitchen, whatever it may be. I can’t decide which mindset I prefer, but I feel like I find myself doing both and yet both are not satisfying to me at the moment.
The Birthday Trip Option
There were those two years, my 30th and my 33rd birthday, that I did plan for amazing trips on my actual birthday. I did really love that but fun fact about me. I am overwhelmed by choices. This is why I continue to visit big European cities because they’re easy to plan and places I continue to enjoy going back to. For some reason, browsing all the hotels in the Caribbean overwhelm me to no avail. So I end up throwing in the towel and just complaining about it. That being said, if you have a specific hotel you have personally been to in the islands or anywhere warm in January, please drop it below in the comments. Because I can not be bothered browsing pages upon pages of hotels and reviews on Expedia. Because this gal could really use a beach trip, a tan and a good beach read.
Am I Alone Here?
I’m sharing all of this because I am hoping I am not alone. Those with January birthdays, what do you do to make this month feel more special? And if you love January, how on earth do you make it lovable?! I want to change my mindset. I want to not hate this month or my birthday. I’m hoping in 2023 I’ll look back on this post and say, man that was all a waste of energy! But I need ideas! I need all the tips and tricks.
Here’s what I’m trying
So far what I have done this year is to plan for some birthday meals with friends. My heart was delighted when my friend texted me with a whole birthday lunch plan. We had discussed it over dinner one night, but never put anything on the calendar. She took charge and texted me “okay, birthday lunch, what time works for you I’m making a reservation and inviting everyone”. As someone whose love language is acts of service (both receiving and giving), this made my day.
Having someone else offer to plan and coordinate was such a big deal for me. And instead of going out to dinner with my family which we usually do, I decided to have them over. I love having people in my home for a delicious meal. It brings me joy. So I changed it from making a reservation for yet another meal out, to hosting at home where it just feels so much nicer to me.
Maybe I need to just plan an annual spa visit and get an amazing massage. Or plan on an annual trip that I just don’t have to think about. Pick a spot and keep going back. I’m open to ideas!
These small changes are definitely helping, so we’re making progress. But please, share any and all tips and tricks to making me fall in love with January. Is there a favorite activity you start this month? Is there a vacation you always take that I need to consider? Spill the beans in the comments below, your girl needs a good mind shift ASAP!
Photo by Hannah Lozano originally seen in this post.
