January 3, 2020

Time To Breathe



January. No matter how much I love September, October, November, and December, I am always happy to see this new month arrive. Not because I want to start fresh and new. Not because I am ready to jump into a new year with all kinds of resolutions and promises. It is actually the opposite. I love this month for all of the things I don't have to do. 

For me, January is quiet and calm. It is the peace that follows the excitement of months of fun, planning, celebrating, and excess. I love all of that, don't get me wrong. Yet, when it is over, I welcome the quiet, consistent, cozy days of routine and calm. I return to more consistent meal planning with healthier meals and yummy desserts. We snuggle in to watch our favorite shows while drinking cocoa and tea. I pack away all the decorations except for a few snowmen and relish the bare, clean look of our winter home. 

Before long we will be exchanging Valentines, hunting for Easter eggs, and watching fireworks. And by then, I will be ready for all things pumpkin spice! But for now, I welcome quiet, cozy January with my jammies, coffee, throw blanket, and books. How about you, my friends?












24 comments:

  1. I was looking forward to the steadiness and calm January brings too. I think our spirit yearns for it after a while. Happy New Year!!
    xx Beca

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  2. As much as I love all the beauty of Christmas, I also love how huge and bare the house looks when it is all put away. January is a hard month for me as it is usually overcast and gloomy. I crave the sun.

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  3. Oh yes. January for me is the true "silent night" month. All is calm. All is bright. We are putting away Christmas on Sunday and then we will bask in the clean just like you!

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  4. Yes, I know what you mean.....January is a calm month. Your words are peaceful and nice to hear on this first week of January. : )

    Have a restful weekend, Billie Jo.

    ~Sheri

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  5. Yes, January is nice - just cleaning up and getting reorganized and back to normal after the holidays is nice. Love it! Thanks for your comment about Josh on my blog. A couple of weeks ago at Christmas time, he was talking about hearing from you when he was a very lonely and overwhelmed missionary in a foreign country. a few years back. He said that he loved that card you sent him. Your act of kindness is remembered fondly and is still having a positive impact. Hugs from UT!

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  6. E X A C T L Y the same!!! Bare house, clean slate, no resolutions, ahhhhhh

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  7. January in Seattle can be very dark and gloomy. And work is expected to be very stressful the next couple of months... I say bring on Springtime! :)

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  8. I always look forward to winter, as it is indeed a season of rest. I stay busy with outside chores during the spring, summer and fall, and winter is my time to rest, and plan. I'm already getting seed catalogs, lol! It is always nice to have cozy days with the family too. Each season brings with it something of great value. May your January be blessed, special and very cozy :)

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  9. Hi! I agree with you, Billie Jo, January is a slow month for me as well. I love taking down my tree and decorations, no matter how much I love them, it's always good to take them down and put them away for the next Christmas...which always comes too soon. I have books to read,crochet projects to start and finish, and a more than a few naps to take, hows that for lazy afternoons?!

    Enjoy this first week of 2020. Hugs, Barb

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  10. I also love the month of January for all the reasons you mention.
    The house is now clear of all things Christmas and there is a feeling of calm.
    Happy New year to you and your family, Billie Jo. X

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  11. Great post, I also love the calmness of January! We still have two more Christmas get-togethers with family from out of town, then I will rest:) Have a blessed day dear friend, HUGS!

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  12. I love January as well. Time to sip hot coffee or tea, stay inside cozy and warm, just be in the present. Enjoy this time before school starts back up.

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  13. It's all about fresh new beginnings! Wishing you and your family all the best that 2020 has to offer.

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  14. I agree...wishing you and your family a very Happy New Year, friend. smiles

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  15. I am sooo looking forward to the quiet of January myself! Couldn't have put it better:) Hope you're having a cozy weekend!

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  16. January ends up not being that restful for our family, as we have 3 birthdays this month. Well, 4, if you count my sweet beagle, Gracie. And then on the heels of January comes February, with Gabrielle's birthday, Valentine's day, and our anniversary all right in a row. Our rest time will come February 16th.

    But I do love that it's still dark early in the evening, so we can hunker down early each day. Not too much longer, and it will be light until 10:00 at night, and I will be missing these evenings indoors with a good book or movie and my fireplace.

    Have a lovely, restful weekend.

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  17. I love the light at this time of the year. It seems so much clearer when it breaks through the clouds. Cuddling up on the sofa to watch TV is wonderful when it's cold an dark outside

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  18. That sounds good to me, hot chocolate and tea, quiet snugly evenings and movies! I love your winter photo. One can sense the hushed calmness of January.

    I am always sad when Christmas is over, but I love the new year as well; I love fresh starts. I still have up my Christmas decorations and won't be ready to take them down until at least one week into January; then...we'll see. 😊

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  19. I am with you- THAT is what I love the most about January, too, except for the taxes I have to do...lol Blessings and love to you-wishing you a peaceful and calm January. xo Diana

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  20. I also love the quiet and peacefulness that comes with the new year. Especially after such busy holidays!

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  21. As sad as i am to let go of Fall & Christmas. I too look forward to January and a fresh new start.

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Thanks so much for saying hello!

Billie Jo