January 2025 // A List

1. January, January, January—what a month! You started off fast and furious, and I was happy to see you arrive. 

2. I spent the month celebrating my birthday and realized that I liked how my birthday was in the first few days of January. It was nice to do all the traditional things I do on my birthday. I loved celebrating with John and the boys. Every week, I did a little something to celebrate my birthday. I redeemed many rewards and used the rewards at the end of the workweek as a treat for myself. I even went to see a movie with John for my birthday. I definitely indulged a lot this month.

3. Some good things this month: My birthday (as stated above), Banana Pudding Cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Red Velvet Ice Cream Cake from Cold Stone Creamery. Snow days (We actually got snow! My heart was full of joy.). Days off (and delayed start times) from work and school due to weather. Books by Claire Keegan (I highly recommend So Late in the Day). Receiving happy mail. Treats from Crumbl Cookies. Preparing for Valentine's Day. Reading my favorite newsletters. Reflecting on my word for the year.

4. Despite all the good things this month, my heart repeatedly broke for so many people. It seems like every time the news pops up on my phone, something catastrophic has happened. Too many tragedies have taken place this month: the attack in Louisiana at the start of the new year, the wildfires in California, the Potomac River mid-air collision, the Philadelphia plane crash, and all things politics. This month has been an absolute dumpster fire for so many people.

5. To comfort myself this month, I did my usual self-care routines while seeking different things to try. I tried a new recipe (a lemon pepper shrimp recipe that was delicious), went for a walk, watched Ali Wong's latest comedy special, and admired my gorgeous, colorful roses gifted to me by John.

6. As this month ends, my hope is that February will be a lot gentler. May February be a month of healing. A month of enjoying the little things. A month of reflecting. A month of exploring, playing, and learning. A month of coming back to ourselves.

7. Goodbye January. Thank you for all the lessons. Hello February. I welcome you with an open heart and open arms. Here's to being cautiously optimistic.

Photo by Angelina Jollivet on Unsplash