You survived the first month back

Firstly, it's not just you. Everyone hates January. It's slow, dull and draining, as we settle back into our reality after the festivities. Everyone's back to work and we're already tired, stressed and unmotivated. This isn't a blog post about beating depression and I am in no way suggesting that these things completely help, it's just something to help everyone get back into the groove of things.

We're already in February and things are still moving slow. It's as though the two months have merged together into one big blob. It's hard to think forward when the stresses of January are still sat on top of you and February's to-do list is already growing. I know it's not easy getting back into a routine, but doing little things to help build up your motivation will help carry you into 2020.

Taking each day as it comes helps. It's so easy to get wrapped up in the slow pace of January, but don't start wishing away time. Think back to when you were waiting for 2020, a new year with more opportunity. Learn to make the most of January whilst it's here because before we know it, it's going to be November again and we'll already be pretending to think about more new years resolutions. One way that really helps with going with the flow is being more mindful. Start to tune in to everything and you'll soon start to notice more. It will help you begin to appreciate the little things in life.**I have been having mindfulness sessions since November '19 and have learnt and developed lots of tools to help cope with my depression and anxiety. If anyone would like to read a blog post on what I've learnt, let me know and I'd love to write one.

Forward planning will help you keep going, but forward planning for you. Plan your dream holidays and mini-breaks, book that festival you've wanted to go to for years and go to those music events and start to get excited about the plans. This will help guide you to the light at the end of the tunnel. If you feel as though you've got nothing to look forward to, then do/book/make/have something to get you excited. Get planning for a few months ahead and give yourself things to push you through February. Before you know it, you'll be back in Ibiza.

Set yourself goals for 2020. Motivate yourself. Get shit done and do shit you wanna do. Ignore the 'new year new me' bullshit and focus on how you can enjoy this year to the fullest.

But, don't let others influence you. Don't let them de-motivate you. Don't fall back into that slump when you realise [Jennifer] has already smashed her New Years resolution to go to the gym every day. Everyone works at different paces and has different goals. I don't know about you but I'm not wasting my money on a gym membership I'll never use, that's setting myself up for a loss. Instead, I'm using that gym money for cookies, which is what's really getting me through February.

Surround yourself around people who bring you up. Spending your days surrounded by negative people who drain the life out of everything is only going to make you feel worse. Invest your time and love into people who deserve it and make a difference to your day. That colleague who brings in cookies every day? She's a keeper. Wasting your time and energy on people who don't appreciate your company, is the biggest mistake we all make. Invest your energy into positivity and individuals who make you smile.

Stop putting pressure on yourself to be a certain person. Stop putting pressure on yourself to feel a certain way.

Just stop, and live.