Finding Joy in January

In the last few weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about the importance of taking a leaf out of nature’s book and going a bit slower through the winter. And I’ve been relating it to a favourite winter topic of mine, which is creating joyful little ‘moments’ in your everyday routine.

The idea of slowing down and finding joy in little moments at home is particularly applicable to January in Scotland, when it’s usual to spend long periods of time indoors, due to the weather, short days, tight budgets and fewer social events. The good news is that it doesn’t have to be difficult to build these moments into your daily routine. Here are a few quick ideas you can start today:

Make up a tray

Grabbing a quick mug of tea or coffee is often the most practical option when we’re on the go, but making up a proper tray when we have time is a touch of luxury that we can into the day, perhaps first thing in the morning, last thing at night, or just a weekend afternoon. If you have space, it’s a nice idea to leave the tray out ready somewhere. If you don’t have some nice cups, teapot etc, try visiting some charity and thrift shops and create a fun mismatched collection.

Create a book nook

This does not have to involve putting up shelves or building a window seat! Instead, curate a collection of five or six books you’ve been wanting to read (again, if you don’t have any in the house a visit to a charity shop or thrift store can solve that very cheaply, or indeed the library for free) and pile them next to your favourite chair. Then try to take at least 15 quiet minutes out of each day to read something, and consider putting your phone in another room for that time.

Pay attention to lighting

Lighting makes a huge difference in a Scottish winter to how cosy a home feels, especially on grey or wet days, dark mornings and long evenings. Use lamps or even fairy lights instead of overhead lights, and have a candle all ready to light when you get home. Bonus points if it has a warming, mood-boosting scent! Think citrus, such as orange or mandarin, spice, such as ginger, clove or cardamom, and earthy scents such as pine, rosemary or sandalwood.

Grow something green

I never used to be a houseplant person, but people kept giving them to me and now I wouldn’t be without my little arrangements of greenery, and even more so in winter. One of my plants is about to flower, which feels like such an achievement in January! Planting up a little window box full of herbs can bring so much joy to the kitchen too, and you can also get some seedlings started now ready to be planted out in spring. Whatever you choose, plants help keep you grounded and in tune with natures natural rhythm of taking things slowly in winter and bursting into life in spring!

Curate yourself a kit box

This could be for absolutely anything you’d like to have in readiness for when you want it. As examples, it could be a little ‘spa hour’ bag, with a face mask and bath soak inside, a crafting box, with a selection of things you need for whatever you’d enjoying creating, or a treat bag, with a miniature bottle of whisky and a few chocolates. It’s up to you! The idea is simply that it’s there, ready whenever you are.

If there’s a takeaway to this article, I think it’s that sometimes it’s worthwhile being intentional about how we want to live in our home, because often it won’t just happen by itself. But a little bit of thought and preparation beforehand can make it so much easier to create the everyday winter moments that feel special, whether that’s a quiet moment with a coffee and a book, sprinkling herbs from your own window box into a hearty stew, or even just lighting a candle when you get home.