Small ways I nourished myself in January

How about you?

Jan 26, 2025

I don’t know about you, but January often feels like the longest month of the year. I also feel like time has warped, or at least I experience time differently since the pandemic. As I type these words to share with you, we are in the aftermath of one of the most sever storms in a long time, here in Ireland. Thankfully no major damage to where I live or our car or even the small town we are in, but I did see some horrific pictures from around the county and country. Not everyone were as lucky as we were.

We were without power and internet for about 36h, and my phone network provider’s service has yet to return. Being without power means no heating. Something that is most certainly not ideal in January. We don’t have a stove either, but boy did I wish we did. I knew from past experiences that if you have something to cook on that does not require electricity you can boil water. And with that opens many options for cooking warm meals. Even a warm cup of tea keeps you warm together with being well wrapped up, when you don’t have central heating.

Turned out that more people than me knows this, so when I went to the local hardware shop to try and by a small gas camping stove (the ones that have a plate to cook on) pre storm, they were all gone. That said, I will pick one up as soon as more are back in stock, as I would like to be better prepared for any future power cuts.

The whole experience reinforced to me just how much we rely on electricity, and the internet(!) to run our lives. And perhaps even more so when the vast majority of our work takes place online, through screens, social media and video calls. Without internet connection, even my fully charged laptop was of no use!

I had to resign to the fact that I couldn’t do any work really, and stayed mostly on the couch reading Emma Gannon’s Olive.

January is still Winter

January, the first month of the year always seems so hyped by the promises of a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning. However it is still one of the darkest months (if you live in the Northern Hemisphere). To me it feels unnatural to push through into new projects when my energy is lower and I want to sleep / rest more.

For years my mood would also noticeably dip around this time of the year but it hasn’t happened as much in the past decade or so, because I have found a few small ways to nourish myself through this time of year. I am not suggesting that what has been working for me will work for you, but perhaps it may inspire you to explore small ways you can nourish yourself through the remainder of the winter.

Sun, glorious sun

Getting out for a walk, even a very brief one, when the sun is out.

Living in Ireland where the sun is often hiding, making getting outside whenever it is out a no1. priority is what has made this time of the year less challenging. My mood improves tremendously when I soak in the sunshine. Even if it is only 10 minutes, and that may be all we get, it has made a massive difference. It is like after soaking in sunrays, days, or weeks of gloomy weather banishes from my memory.

Rest as nourishment

Allowing myself to rest as much as I need to.

Giving myself permission to rest is something I have spent years working on. It has not come naturally but it has at times been a necessity. Reclaiming “lazy” as something that is acceptable (and counter cultural) has been nourishing. Resting for me isn’t always about sleeping longer or napping, though it can be that too. It is about spending time on the couch with a good book (back to reading more fiction books, yay!) Or stepping away from the screen and work to go for a walk or head to the leisure centre for a sauna, midday.

The gift of being present

Practicing being present with the mundane things in my life.

As someone who has a habit of “pining for the future”, as my partner calls it, loves planning and likes to get stuff done, I find myself rushing through my life more often than I would like to admit. And I really don’t want to be doing that anymore, if I can help it. Life feels precious and short, I want to notice it, not continue to rush headlong into the future. Therefore, slowing down and noticing even the most mundane everyday things helps me recharge and actually enjoy my life. Even the stuff that is boring and routine.

Life consists only of moments, nothing more than that. So if you make the moment matter, it all matters.

- Ellen Langer

How have you managed to nourish yourself in January?

If you listen to my podcast, you are probably aware that I always ask each guest the question of “What is Joyful Nourishment to you?”. Maybe one day I’ll make a compilation with all the various answers, but I am curious about what it is for you?

Please feel free to leave a comment if you want to share with others.