I have a love hate relationship with January. On the one hand, I love that it represents a clean slate. A New Year and a chance to start again and achieve what you want to. But on the other hand, I find January is also a painful reminder of how little you might have achieved in the past 12 months. For me, I’ve spent far too many Januarys making the same New Year’s Resolutions as I never achieve them. And that upsets me. It’s like another year has passed, you’re in the same position, and no closer to achieving your goals.
And if you’re like me, then this is where the January blues sets in. I mean January is a depressing time of year anyway. Christmas is over, we all feel like we indulged a little too much. We’re dragging ourselves to the gym for an hour of torture, not drinking alcohol and not eating chocolate. But when you feel like you’re just stuck in a rut of never achieving what you want to. January can be a really depressing time.
But not this year. I didn’t want to suffer with the January blues again and I’m pleased to say I haven’t. And if I had known that all I needed to do was make a few lists, I would have done this years ago. It’s honestly that simple! But I found making lists focusing on the good things that were happening, or had happened, not only improved my mood and self-esteem. But it also helped with being more mindful and improving my general wellness. It forced me to appreciate things more and stop dwelling on the past or the negative things. And if you’ve read my New Year, New Me? post you’ll know this is something I’m trying to work on this year.
So here are just three of the lists I made. And if you’re worried your January blues could slip into February then I suggest you spend a little time doing your own lists:
Good things that have happened to you
There’s no time frame on this. You can look at all the good things that happened to you that week, that month, or last year. Personally for me I like to make weekly lists. So it could include a holiday I’ve booked, a compliment from someone, a meal out with friends, a fitness achievement or just making healthy choices that week. By keeping a weekly log I can look back at all the good things that have happened if I need a little pick me up.
What I’m grateful for
I’m the first person to see the negative in situations and let my anxiety get the better of me. And it’s so easy to forget the good things that are going on when one negative things happens. But it’s so important to focus on the good when you can. Which is why I’ve put together a list of all the things I’m grateful for and proud of, to remind myself of how far I’ve come. And in so many ways how lucky I really am.
Your good qualities
Personally I think everyone should make this list. All too often we focus on the negative things and our shortfalls. Rather than appreciating how amazing and awesome we really are! We’re meant to look different to each other, and while it’s healthy to want to live a healthier lifestyle. It can also breed a lot of negativity if you constantly criticise yourself because you don’t look a certain way. You’re beautiful as you are, you just need to remind yourself of that. So make a list of all your good qualities. You could be funny, kind, a great listener or all of the above. And make sure you write down things you like about the way you look as well. Self-confidence is essential for feeling good about yourself.
Have you ever made lists like these before? Do you think they help with self-esteem and self-confidence?
What a great post, I especially like your last point – we should all recognise our good qualities! I have a box of gratitude where I put little notes of things I’m grateful for x
Everything But The Kitchen
I think I’m one of the few people in the world who actually likes January… It might help that my birthday is in January, though. Haha.
I’ve never made these lists before but they sound super positive and sometimes they’re the kind of things you just need to look at to make you feel better x
I think it’s great to do lists, especially about what i want to do in the year x
I have a happiness planner which encourages these lists. Its really helpful to focus the mind on what you have rather than what you want xxx
What a great post, I love the point about recognising our good qualities, this is something I don’t do as think of others first x
I always feel positive in January as I make my list of things to do and I tend to put a lot of little ones on the list I know I will achieve so then it keeps the positive vibe going. I always look at how grateful I am and I guess I do neglect recognising my personal qualities x
This is something I definitely need to start doing! I’m forever making list but none like this!
January always does tend to be a horrid month for me so I like the suggestions you have made here. I am mindful of being grateful but I will try your other two lists as well x
Love your lists. I try to sit down at the end of each day and reflect and pick out at least one positive that happened that day, no matter how small. Today’s was that my baby let me drink a hot cup of tea 🙂 Jo x
I love lists and feel more productive doing them. I be never thought about doing a list to help with confidence and the January blues its something i should do.
I go through phases of loving lists like this and finding them a hinderance. I now try and just make notes or just see the fact I’ve diaried ‘going out to dinner with the BFF’ etc and using that as a reference point – if that makes sense!
Victoria x
FlorenceandMary.com
I love this post as shows I am not the only one who is fan of making lists they help me keep grounded and focused
Sounds like a brilliant idea to make a list! I think I need to make one for myself this month 🙂
I think that making a list on what you are grateful for or documenting good things that have happened is a fantastic idea!
I always make lists, I would be lost without them my OH laughs however he has found them great when we are going somewhere as he can just follow the list to help instead of guessing it asking me every two mins what we need
I don’t treat January any different to any other month, too many people put pressure on themselves because it is a new year x
I’m also one of those people that thinks of the negatives first and often lets them take over!!! I think the list idea is really lovely especially if it helps to centre you and give you piece of mind!
What a lovely post, January sees to suck for so many people. x
Not made lists like this before and sadly January blues definitely followed me around.
This is such a good idea, I’m forever making lists on what needs doing but it’d be nice to reflect! xo
Brilliant. I will have to try this
Tiana=fablemoonsays.com