Reflections on January
List making is one of my very favorite things. This article begins a series of reflections on things I love about each month of the year. My hope is that in making these lists, I’ll slow down, take note of beauty, and contemplate the moments that matter. Here’s my list of 10 things I love about January.
1. Fresh start energy
I’ve always loved January for its fresh start energy. I love the anticipation of beginning new routines, new goals, and new habits. Every year I begin the month of January looking forward to what a new year will bring.
Most years the intensity of this energy does wear off later in the month, but it provides momentum for starting my new year with focus and intention.
2. Cozy blanket, hot tea, and a good book
Despite all that fresh start energy, January is a month that feels contemplative. The long, dark days lend themselves to slowing down and staying home. Those are definitely a few of my favorite things!
An evening snuggled on the couch under a plush, cozy blanket with a mug of steaming salted caramel or creamy vanilla tea in one hand and good book in the other is about as good as it gets.
3. Spectacular sunrises from the back porch
My back porch has a wide, sweeping southern view of fields and hills. I’m no scientist, but my understanding is that the earth’s axis tilt means that during the summer, the sun rises further north and during winter, the sun rises further south.
This is obvious to me because in January, I’m provided with gorgeous sunrises from my perch on the porch.
4. Bundled up walks in crisp morning air
Living in the Pacific northwest entails lots of rainy winter days. However, we do receive a surprising number of clear, blue-sky winter days that are delightfully crisp and perfect for a brisk morning walk.
5. Beginning a new Bible reading plan
The first month of a new year means a new Bible reading plan for me. Some years that is a full Bible read through; other years it is a new group Bible study on a specific book of the Bible or topic.
Whatever the study, I always look forward to beginning a new study of God’s word.
Read: Setting Spiritual Priorities for a New Year
6. New planner
This is an easy and obvious favorite thing for me in January. With all my delight in fresh starts and new beginnings, setting up a new planner is one of my very favorite things. Thinking about how to manage time is one of my favorite pastimes, so a new planner combines my love of time management, list-making, and memory-keeping all in one glorious book!
See my 2025 planner walkthrough on YouTube
7. Clearing out the Christmas decorations
I love Christmas. I figured I should say that first so that there’s no misunderstanding about this favorite thing. While I love Christmas, the addition of Christmas decor starts to make me feel a little claustrophobic by the time we get to Christmas Day.
Once the Christmas decorations are put away and the house feels a little less cluttered and full, I love the spareness of a decluttered house. It somehow gives my brain the white space I need in January.
8. Enjoying gifts I received for Christmas
I don’t think a year goes by that I don’t receive a few books for Christmas, so January means getting to dive into a book that’s been on my wish list! Last year I received a gel pen set that I love to write with and a soft, cozy sweatshirt that’s been in my regular rotation weekly.
9. Getting back into a regular routine
Part of the fun of December is all the Christmas activities that we only do once a year. While I enjoy the holiday traditions, I love getting back into a regular routine in January. There’s something comforting to me about having an ordered schedule of events that reoccur on a weekly basis and January brings those systems back.
10. Motivation to start or pick back up healthy habits
Like many others, my healthy habits tend to slide in December. Christmas cookies are calling, after all. January brings a fresh surge of motivation to pick back up the healthy habits that I want to implement.
I have all kinds of motivation for exercise, eating my vegetables, and reducing sugar. My January motivation usually extends well past January, but the new year gives me a jumpstart in spurring me on to make changes.
Read: 52 Small Healthy Habits for Year of Big Change
What to Love About January
Obviously, most of what I love about January revolves around beginnings. New routines, new habits, new planners, new environment. Here’s the abbreviated list.
- fresh start energy for everything
- cozy blankets, hot tea, and a good book
- bundled up walks in crisp air under gorgeous blue skies in between the rainy days
- spectacular sunrises from my back porch
- beginning a new Bible reading plan or study
- new planner
- clearing out the clutter of Christmas decorations
- enjoying gifts I received for Christmas
- getting back into a regular routine again after the chaos of the holiday season
- motivation to start or pick back up healthy habits after indulging over Christmas
Finding something to love, whatever the season, is a way to intentionally focus on gratitude.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights…
James 1:17
Visit my homeschool resources page for monthly unit study ideas, projects, and homeschool planning help!
You May Also Like…
What I Love About January
