Well hello everyone and happy 2024! I haven’t officially been back on the blog in the new year so haven’t had a chance to say hello and wish you all the happiest, healthiest 2024. If you follow on Youtube, TikTok or Instagram, however, you’ll have seen that I’ve been back with full force on all the other platforms and have been loving creating all the January content.
This year I really wanted to give myself a full January reset but in a different way than ever before. I’m usually the first person to write down resolutions, to have the new year new me mindset and to try and make all these changes coming into the new year. But 2024 has felt different and I’ve noticed it with a lot of girls I follow online – so clearly it’s not just me. This year we’re not setting resolutions, we’re not looking to implement 20 new habits and we’re not going to force our bodies to work against nature.
I say that because if you look at nature around us, it’s all still sleeping. It’s the mid of winter and so the mid of hibernation season, the trees are still bare, bulbs still underground and animals no where to be seen. So why do we try and fight nature in order for the ‘new year new me’ mindset?
Well not this year, this year January has been all about listening to our bodies, reflecting nature around us and embracing mid winter for what it really is. We’re going to look at new years intentions instead of resolutions, move our bodies in the way that feels natural instead of hitting the gym at 6am when its pitch black outside and we’re going to eat hearty, healthy meals instead of going into a new years diet.
This year it’s all about rest and recovery.
So here are a few small things you can do this winter to fully embrace a slower, happier new year.
1 – Move your body
Whether that’s just going outside for a walk or doing a 10 minute stretch in your bedroom. Moving your body has so many health benefits and actually, a long walk can give you more fitness benefits than a harsh hit workout at the gym. This year it’s all about movement.
2 – Cook your favourite meals
New year diets are out the window this year, instead lean into cooking hearty, healthy meals. Whether that’s a lovely roast on a Sunday or a slow cooked hot pot on a weekday night. Get out your favourite recipe books and bookmark some pages on your favourites.
3 – A new year clear out
If you watched my latest Youtube, you may have also gotten the new year clear out bug. I always love taking the time in January to sift through my wardrobe and say goodbye to pieces that aren’t working hard for me anymore. New year, new wardrobe, new me!
4 – Embrace an earlier bedtime
I learnt recently that in winter, our bodies physically need more sleep. In fact some of us can need up to 2 hours extra sleep than we do in summer. So lean into that longer sleep time and allow yourself to get into bed a little earlier than you usually do. Give yourself a bedtime routine that excites you to go to sleep and lean into an earlier night.
