5 Ways To Be Kind To Yourself in January…

5 Ways To Be Kind To Yourself in January…

When is it acceptable to stop saying Happy New Year? I feel like I have been saying it a lot recently in fear of missing someone. And so, let me say it to you all one more time, Happy New Year to you – I hope you have started the year on a positive note. Talking of the new year, I don’t know about you but I always feel like January is a month where we should look after ourselves, take time out and enjoy life at a slower pace. Amid the madness, the craziness and the chaos of December and Christmas there is a desire to unwind. Getting back into a routine of work, school and after school clubs has already taken it out of me. What I enjoy most about a weekend at this time of the year is taking things a little slower, not feeling guilty for cancelling plans or stripping back our weekends.

Over the years I have found that January is the month where I need to be kind to myself, I don’t really know what the difference between returning to work after a summer holiday or the Christmas break is but I do know that it seems so much harder. Whether it is the darkness of winter, the cold mornings or even because I can’t help but build the anticipation of a new year, it all just feels tough.

It is the perfect time to reflect, look after myself and those around me and to make subtle changes for the year ahead and lets not forget book a holiday! Yes to booking a holiday. We have two booked so far, and hopefully by the end of this week we’ll have a third locked in the diary. And so I thought I would share a few things which I do as the year breaks, simple things really but ones which seem to make all the difference to the way I feel – whether it is changing my attitude or behaviour they have such a positive impact that I stand by them. January really is a month for looking after yourself.

Enjoy a slow start

A morning of drinking tea in bed and reading a book. The older I get the more I appreciate staying home and doing nothing. I try to take this time out when I don’t feel like I am missing out on one of our little family adventures. I am lucky that on a Saturday morning George and Mr H set off early to attend drumming class and if I do feel like I need some time to myself this is when I do it. I don’t feel guilty as the boys are off having fun together, it is the guilt which often holds me back if truth be told. Wrapped up in cosy blankets reading a book – in a cocoon of cosiness is the perfect way to soothe the soul.

Create media blackout days (or an hour)…

This is something which Mr H has made me promise to do more of in 2018. I don’t mind – I think putting my phone to one side for an evening is a great plan. And whilst I don’t disagree with him I know this will be tough for me, I find it hard putting my phone down. It sounds so simple doesn’t it – switching off from social media or checking emails. Focusing on the here and now – which when I do, like yesterday I am left feeling calm and full of life. I can be extremely guilty of constantly check my emails, getting drawn into work and falling into an Instagram or Pinterest whole for an hour at a time. It really isn’t healthy but in all honesty I just love Instagram, I really enjoy peering into other peoples lives, I’m the first to admit that I am just a little nosey. Already this year I have removed my work emails from my mobile phone which has meant that I have truly switched off on a weekend, baby steps but it means that I have been more present and we’re only 8 days into the year.

Get some fresh air together as a family…

Surround yourself with those you love. When all else fails, head out for some fresh air – blow away the cobwebs and clear your mind. If something is troubling me on occasion I can wallow in self pity, lose myself in deep, negative thoughts and often it affects my mood so much so that I become a person I don’t like. It has to be something big like the fire we experienced on Christmas Day or my childhood with my parents. Something that hurts. Mostly I look for the good, I’m known for being quite a positive person but the big stuff can have a real impact on my mood and mental state which I am still learning to overcome. Over the years I have learnt to move on by escaping to my happy place which most often than not is a walk around Trentham Gardens or alike with my boys, especially on a bright winters day – jumping in muddy puddles, building a den or kicking a ball. You can’t help but feel like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders when you stomp around such beautiful scenery, a hot chocolate in one hand and my 6 year olds in the other. With Mr H near by.

Take time for yourself, each other or a friend…

I am grouping this together as really I think it depends just on who you are. Me personally – I enjoy my own time whereas Mr H enjoys time with his friends and we both enjoy taking time out together to remember that our relationship came first, before we came parents we existed – just us. Just to remind ourselves that on occasion it is ok to be selfish and put our relationship first. No matter what your circumstances are I really do feel that it is so important to take some time out for you. I try to take some time weekly or if I am really lucky stealing a few minutes each day. For me this could be as simple as taking a bath without interruption – can you imagine? Some days I need to clear my head and often head out at lunchtime for a walk, or an evening to walk our furry baby or even picking up some flowers from the market helps. You know, it can often be the little things which have the biggest impact. There is no shame in needing some time for yourself or grabbing that coffee with a friend – be kind to you.

Let it go and have a deep cleanse…

And when possible sing the song out loud for all to hear. In all seriousness this is something I have promised myself that I will do more of in 2018. Last year I found myself being too affected by those which invaded my space and if only I had closed the door I may not have lost hours and days feeling so hurt. I need to choose my battles, whether it be ones as a parent, the boss in the office, friends who just don’t understand this online space I have created or even when the haters hate on my blog. I need to stop sweating the little things and focus on what I can control. Letting go of anything that doesn’t have a positive impact – whether it is a friendship, a habit, a feeling, those toxic people which bring you down as soon as they step into the room or hit a social circle. I think it is really important to replace bad habits with good habits, anything bad ultimately becomes destructive. Let it go.

And lastly…

Exercise and take vitamins. I wholeheartedly recommend a small amount of daily exercise and a spoonful of Metatone Tonic. This is such a big one for me and one I failed miserably on towards the end of the year. Until September I exercised weekly, almost daily – I ate relatively healthily and I felt good for it. I was more positive, I had more energy and I enjoyed how my body looked and felt in my clothes. I took a weekly class at 6am to focus on my strength and weights, joined in with the Joe Wicks You Tube HIIT videos at home and walked quite a bit too. I only drank on special occasions and cut out as much sugar as possible – I swapped my tea with two sugars for coffee in the morning and nettle tea in the afternoon. I miss how I felt, mentally and physically. For me this is one of the biggest changes I am making and it started today, January 8th – well I couldn’t start it any earlier as it was my birthday a few days ago!

And that’s my 5 Ways To Be Kind To Yourself in January… Do you have any ideas to add to the list? I’m all for making subtle changes to help with a better state of mind and well being.

The KA Edit

I’m Kerri-Ann or KA as my friends call me, always found with a cup of coffee in one hand and my camera in the other. I have a huge passion for photography, fitness, fashion and family travel. I started this blog in 2014. It began as my creative outlet after becoming a mummy to our little boy George Archie. I started out blogging about parenting and over the years it has evolved into a blog that covers lifestyle, fashion, family and travel. Today TheKAEdit is ultimately a life and style blog. Thank you for reading x x