January Recap: A Month of Fresh Starts and Reflections
The first month of the year is always a unique blend of beginnings, reflections, and recalibrations. January has been steady and chill, with plenty of highlights to celebrate and lessons to carry forward.
From embracing creative projects and tackling home organisation. To celebrating milestones and navigating challenges, it’s been a month of progress in both big and small ways. As I look back on these moments, I’m reminded of the importance of celebrating wins. No matter their size, and staying open to growth—even when it’s uncomfortable.
Here’s a look at what made January memorable for me, along with the wins, challenges, and intentions that are shaping my path forward.
Monthly Highlights
- Izzy’s christening – The day also marked the start of some pretty heavy snow. That made driving to the christening and then to the pub afterward a bit of an adventure. The pastor was incredibly friendly, and though it’s not my usual inclination, I can see how people resonate with him. His welcoming and thoughtful approach added a special layer to the day.
- Lilly’s party – A fun-filled celebration at Oxygen, a play area where Lilly and her friends had an amazing time jumping, running, and playing. While they enjoyed the activities, I indulged in some quiet moments with food and took the opportunity to handwrite a blog post since I didn’t bring my laptop.
- New drawing project – I’ve started trying to take up watercolours again, though it’s been a slow uptake. Experimenting with colours and textures has been both exciting and a welcome mental break. Easing back into it has been a challenge, but each small step forward feels rewarding, and I’m eager to see where this creative journey leads.
- Foss Fairy Trail – I went for a walk around the trail during the day, rediscovering the fairy doors that were hidden on our previous night visit. I also reached out to the team behind it to offer help with their website, and while there’s been no response yet, I’m hopeful they’ll take me up on the offer to help elevate their project.
- Quick update! I got a reply from the lady who oversees the trail, and she is excited to let me help to build a new website. I have so many plans to elevate the website.
- Boiler is fixed – Finally! The boiler had been leaking for a while and shutting itself off each morning, which meant I had to restart it daily. Now, no more shivering mornings or lukewarm showers.
- Massage – I’d been having some persistent pain in my shoulder, so I decided to get it squeezed out. The process helped relieve the tension, though I was in pain for a couple of days afterward. It still felt like a step toward better self-care, and I’m considering making massages a more regular part of my routine to maintain overall wellness.
- Progress Planner Pro launch – A major milestone! Watching people engage with something we’ve all worked so hard on is amazing.
- High winds and a new trampoline – High winds brought the neighbour’s trampoline over our fence, which was both surprising and a bit scary. We had to take down the safety mesh to keep it secure on the ground. The neighbours came to retrieve it, and we even had to remove a fence panel to help put it back into their garden. It turned into an unexpected moment of teamwork and a story to remember.
- Birthday meal and LEGO – Celebrated another year with a delicious meal and indulged my inner child with some creative LEGO building. I’m diving into the Botanical Flowers set, which has been both challenging and satisfying to assemble. It’s pure happiness in brick form!
- Meta Glasses – Testing out new tech has been fascinating, and these glasses have opened up some intriguing possibilities. I’m having the pair I own reglazed. Whoop! They will have my prescription and transitions lenses, so I can use them for driving as well. It’s exciting to think about how they’ll enhance my daily routines.
- Yorkshire Heart Vineyard – A serene escape to enjoy some delicious wine and good company. We also went on a short tour of the vineyard, which was fascinating as the guide explained the actual vines and their care rather than just focusing on the winemaking process. It added a new layer of appreciation for what goes into every bottle. Definitely a highlight for unwinding and learning something new.
Wins & Challenges
Top Wins:
- Decluttered the back bedroom – It’s amazing how clearing out unused items can create both physical and mental space.
- Clothes donation – Sorting through and donating unused clothes was incredibly satisfying. Knowing that they’ll be put to good use has been a bonus.
- Garage transformation – Reclaiming this space has opened up so many possibilities, from storage to creating a functional exercise area. I’m excited to keep it organised and see how it enhances daily life.
- Progress Planner Pro launch – Bringing this project to life has been such a great experience.
Growth Moments: This month, I faced the bittersweet decision to pause my contributions to WordPress. While I’ve learned so much from the experience. I’ve also loved being part of the community, it’s become clear that stepping back is necessary for now. Saying goodbye, even temporarily, is always hard, but it’s also an opportunity to refocus my energy on other priorities and projects that need my attention.
Stats & fun facts
- Steps achieved – Willow and I clocked in plenty of steps exploring local woods, enjoying the crisp air and natural beauty. There’s nothing like the peace of nature to clear the mind and recharge.
- Dopamine playlist – This month’s soundtrack has been full of upbeat, feel-good tunes that keep me motivated and energised. It’s amazing how much a good playlist can lift the mood!
- Willow’s new blanket – The office officially has the coziest dachshund in town. Willow’s new blanket has become her favourite spot for naps, and it’s a joy to watch her so content while I work.
- Crochet project – Started a scarf for Michelle. It’s been a relaxing creative outlet and I’m happy to give something to someone who is important to me.
Willow’s walks – January edition
“This month has been paws-itively wonderful! Mum and I ventured through the woods, where I sniffed out new adventures and made a squirrel friend (sort of). The air was crisp, and the earthy scent of damp leaves filled my nose. Birds chirped overhead, and the rustling of small creatures kept my ears perked up. My new blanket makes office time a dream – productivity for her, naps for me! Life’s good.”
Goals & intentions
What Went Well: January has been a steady and chill start to the year. It’s given me the chance to recharge, reflect on what’s important, and enjoy small but meaningful progress. That said, I’ve realised I need to revisit my Powersheets to stay aligned with my longer-term goals and ensure I’m on the right path.
Next month’s focus:
- Revisit and realign my goals using Powersheets.
- Sign up for swimming exercise classes to build strength and stamina.
- Fully clear out the garage to create a functional exercise space and keep it organised for future use.
Thank you section
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported the Progress Planner Pro launch. Your encouragement, excitement, and feedback have been a huge source of motivation, and I’m incredibly grateful for each and every one of you.
What about you? What was your highlight this month? Have you ever had to make a tough decision to step back from something? I’d love to hear how you navigated it!
