January Blues and Consolations
What can be more depressing than January? Only January when I am not booking holidays for the year ahead! Hehe, that was my motto not only before the pandemic but also before having kids. Things changed, life changed and this January, while hoping to be able to visit my family during the year, I am not booking any tickets yet. I am focusing on living in the present, spending time with my family, doing my work, and … trying to find ways to cheer myself up. Because let’s face it, it’s hard to go back to routine after holidays and even harder when it’s cold and grey outside.
Scents
Looking for things that make me happy in everyday life I turn to sensory experiences and scents is my number one.
My perfume find this year is Alien by Mugler. The smell is sophisticated, mysterious, and alluring. I feel I have feminine power wearing it. I wear perfume when working from home, going out for a walk, or even just being at home to lift my spirit and make myself feel more dressed up.
My scent candle this January is John Lewis Tea & Bergamot Candle Tin. We bought it together with my four years old daughter. She loves scents and since I do too I find it so bonding to choose them together. Three of us, my daughter, my eighteen months old son and I often have snacks in the afternoon in a romantic atmosphere with the lights off and the candle on. Amazingly my kids really enjoy it and ask for it every time.
I also had the body shop Advent calendar in December. It was so fun to find a new scented shower gel, scrub or shampoo in it every day. Now my daughter and I enjoy choosing scents for shower gels and creams every time we have a shower.
Music
Music has amazing power in lifting up the spirit and setting the mood. I have been listening to a lot of children's playlists during holidays and so now being back to work I am bringing back a bit of adults music in my life. I listen to Spotify playlists. I like “Everyday Favourites”. My favourite song at the moment is “Run“ by Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. And talking about Taylor Swift, I discovered recently that her lockdown album “Folklore“ is now on Spotify too. I listened to it on repeat during maternity year, it was the reason why I subscribed to Apple Music for several months! Now I am glad to be able to enjoy it on Spotify.
Something spiritual
This year I felt I needed an amulet or talisman to give me strength and to protect me. I have been thinking about the fact that in the Chinese calendar the year that will soon start is the year of Tiger. In Russia, we pay attention to Chinese calendar symbols and people often gift each other symbols of the year. After spending a bit of time looking for a symbol of the year I have found a perfect one! A tiger eye stone jewelry! I ordered the bracelet and the neckless and now feel ready for any adventures that are coming my way! Also, both kids love my choices and want to play with the neckless and the bracelet when they see them on.
Something fun
I started again doing Cosmic yoga with my kids. I used to do it with my daughter when I was pregnant with my son. Now my son is eighteen months old and can join us. On a rainy day, I thought I’d give it a try and to my surprise my son absolutely loved it. He was over the moon trying to play with his body and even repeating some moves after TV. My daughter still loves it very much and is a lot better now at following. And it’s so good to be able to stretch a bit, even if the exercise is very light! We are still hoping to convince my hubby to join us and to make it a full family fun time. But meanwhile, my kids and I are excited to do it together and it’s great entertainment in the afternoons when it’s dark outside.