Why January Needs Reclaiming
I’ve decided that January is a time for joy, so here’s why I believe it needs reclaiming.
While I’m not entirely sure where this idea first came from, I’ve never been one to follow the crowd, jump on trends, or mimic what everyone else is doing. I take pride in being different. I suspect I may have ADHD, though I won’t be seeking a diagnosis—at least not right now. When it comes to planning parties, celebrations, getaways, and holidays, January is when I want to do it all. And maybe that’s exactly why December feels so overwhelming to me.
Why December Is Exhausting
December is packed with work parties, children’s events, and endless shopping, making it nearly impossible to arrange meaningful social gatherings. Add a birthday into the mix and it becomes even more challenging. A shout-out to all the December babies out there—I feel your pain! We often hear, “Let’s plan something for the new year,” assuming we’ll all have more money then, right? Or the suggestion to celebrate two birthdays like the Queen—one in summer? Not happening.
I also find myself overwhelmed by the flood of advertisements promoting fitness journeys as soon as the festive season ends. Honestly, I still have a mountain of food and drink left over, and I’m not ready to part with it.
And if you’re raising young children—as I have been for the past eight years—there’s no clear “back to it” date anyway. Illnesses resurface, new term clubs and childcare schedules change, and cold, dark nights hardly motivate gym attendance. I was eager to return to the gym and booked several classes, only to realise I still had another week before my youngest started preschool.
I just can’t wrap my head around it all… yet. I need time to reflect. So when January rolls around with its rules and restrictions, I feel resistant rather than refreshed.
The Challenges of December
Small Children: Panic shopping, overspending, online delivery delays (I’m still waiting for my Tonie characters), nativities, choirs, end-of-year performances, pantomimes, crafting, card writing, Teacher gifts, Santa visits, and creating magical memories for everyone. This even includes that photo calendar I regret starting eight years ago. And don’t even get me started on elf on the blimmin’ shelf haha.
Work Demands: Busy shops, work events, restaurant shifts, travel, and commuting—while entertainers strive to create unforgettable experiences. The pressure feels endless.
Shopping Struggles: Shop too early and you forget what you bought. Shop too late and you miss the last posting date. You have to stay home for deliveries. I even thought I was clever booking Father Christmas during the holidays—until my eldest changed his mind and asked Santa for something impossible to get in three days.
Social Life and Routine: Christmas is also about friendship, but coordinating with others is tough—especially when your birthday falls just five days before Christmas. The kids want to see their friends outside of school, end-of-term exhaustion sets in, and when clubs stop, our gym routines are hijacked too.
Why the Pressure to “Fix Yourself” in January Doesn’t Work
Dry January? No thanks.
I’m dubbing this month Joy January—because did we truly enjoy December?
That can be followed by Fitness February.
This week, we resumed Zumba Gold. I squeezed back into my Lycra, spent hours curating an exciting new playlist, and briefly enjoyed a taste of adult life—only to be thrown straight back into chaos the next day with a demanding threenager and major FOMO from everyone else “getting back to it.”
I know weight loss is said to be 80% what you eat and 20% exercise (as I shove another apricot Lebkuchen heart into my mouth). But exercise makes you feel good, and when you feel good, you tend to make better choices.
From what I see on social media, many gurus say you don’t need to find a new you in the new year. I’ve never been a fan of that idea. For me, January isn’t the time to be dry, new, better, fitter, or busier. It feels like the calm after the storm—a moment to breathe and reflect on what just happened. Honestly, I’m still waiting for New Year’s Eve to kick in, but I blinked and missed it.
All of this makes January feel less like a fresh start and more like an extended version of December’s chaos.
It’s amusing because while I usually like knowing the rules and dislike being told off or shushed, I also enjoy being a rebel. I want to go against the grain, act spontaneously, and embrace the unexpected. Perhaps that’s why I love creating the Feel Good Flashmob.
I want to celebrate in January. I refuse to succumb to the post-holiday blues or the idea of a dry, skint month. But my feelings about January run deeper than rebellion or routine.
Why January Is Emotionally Loaded for Me
This desire to celebrate stems from a deeper place: my father passed away in January.
After a challenging year with the pandemic, everyone was relieved to see 2020 come to an end. I was finally expecting my second child after several losses, my eldest was starting preschool, and the world felt as though it was slowly returning to normal after lockdown.
Then, just three weeks into January 2021, my world shattered. My brother knocked on my door at midnight to tell me he had found Dad peacefully asleep in his armchair.
This year marks five years since his passing. What better way to honour his life than by finally giving him the send-off he deserved—something we were denied during lockdown, when we couldn’t have a wake and only 30 people were allowed at his cremation? Planning a small get-together with close family and friends, for a curry and a catch-up, feels like exactly what we all need.
With all of this in mind, I’ve decided to establish a new tradition: Joy January. A month dedicated to celebration. Because if I don’t embrace this, I might not make it through to February.
Why Celebration Is the Answer
Joy January isn’t just a mindset for me—it’s something I want to share.
Helping others gives my pain a purpose. It shifts my focus and breaks the negative, self-critical loop. My love for connection and empathy is stronger than ever, and I want to create positive, uplifting memories. Maybe you feel the same. Or maybe this is the perfect time for you to jump on the celebration train with me.
This year, I’ve planned another New Year party for my followers: a Barn Dance with a chilli buffet at the glorious Marine Gardens Restaurant. If this feels like the right moment to celebrate and connect, I’d love for you to join me.
And if you miss this one, keep an eye out for next year’s theme—because this tradition is here to stay
