The January blahs have turned me into a hermit.
I’m not usually like this. If you only know me over the Internet, you may imagine that I sit in a darkened room all day, my pallid skin glowing blue by the light of my Mac. You may imagine that my outgoing, positive persona is a disguise, donned to hide my true, antisocial nature.
You may imagine that, but you would be wrong. I’m the gal who always has something to do. I rarely turn down an invitation to hang out with friends, even if I’m tired and cranky. Being with people makes me less tired and cranky, so I usually muster the energy to get up and go.
But January, you have broken me. Not in a major, life-altering way, but in a last week there were only yoga pants and hoodies in my laundry way.
I’ve fallen into a comfortable routine over the past few weeks. I wake up in darkness, the sun weakly lighting the sky with a pffffttt as I finish my first cup of coffee. I throw on workout clothes so that I can head out for a walk and the gym as soon as James leaves for school. The longer I wait, the higher the probability that I will ditch exercise, so I do it before I can talk myself out of it.
I shower and put on clean clothes, even if they are clothes that I would not wear in public. Mismatched pajama pants and hoodies have been my uniform this month, and my slippers hug my feet every moment I am not in the shower or in bed. My hair is enjoying a hiatus from curl creme, and my makeup sits neglected. I am becoming alarmingly accustomed to looking at myself with poufy hair and bare skin. I actually winked at myself in the mirror on the one day last week that I styled my hair and applied mascara.
Each day is more of the same. I put on the same pants and hoodie because I’ve only worn them while sitting on my butt, freshly showered and deodorant-ed.
I’m watching myself with that detached combination of fascination and disgust. I don’t want to be a hermit; if I have something fun to do out in the world, I’ll do it. My social calendar for January, however, has been sadly lacking, and my motivation is buried under the three layers I adorn at all times.
The snow, the limited daylight and the cold are bad, and my slippers, electric blanket and scented candles are good…
I won’t let you win, January. Every day the sun rises a little earlier, and sets a little later. I have fun things planned for this weekend, and I will put on pants with zippers and buttons. I will venture out beyond the grocery store and Target, and I will trade my sports bra for a real one. You can’t take my humanity, January. I’m coming out, and I’m ready to live.
Girl, you and me BOTH!!! Now, of course I have only one leg to use, and well- it SUCKS, so I don’t go anywhere unless I am desperate for something- in which case it’s a whole lotta *painintheass* getting someone to help me mobile scoot my way anywhere…in the freaking SNOW… who wants to do THAT?
Surely not me.
Derek has been doing the laundry, and as for my clothes? I kid you not- he has just had to clean the cycle of fleece pjs bottoms and tank tops that go under huge sweaters. It’s like the EASIEST thing to pick out what to wear… it’s all in one pile on my bedroom floor- so I grab one of each, add the undies and socks and TADAH!!!
Sad. But true.
But you totally have an excuse. You have to wear those kind of clothes – no way will skinny jeans fit over that boot or whatever contraption you have on these days! You’ll be out and about soon, Chris. And then I want a selfie of your smiling face in public, fully dressed with makeup on!
As I’m sure you know we don’t have snow here in Vegas so the weather usually doesn’t get to me. What my issue is is that I am on break from classes and showering daily and putting on a bra is not high on my list of priorities. I just don’t see the point in wasting water when even my husband doesn’t give a rat’s butt if I shower or not on any given day (usually it’s only every other day I don’t shower depending on my mood).
Here’s hoping February is a much better month for both of us.
Or at least a month of daily showers 😉
January can be such a depressing month. But’s what’s February’s excuse? I try to think February is closer to March which means spring break, which means spring is right around the corner… But I hate wishing days away. I wish I could embrace the winter more…
I do too. I’m not wishing the days away as much as I’m just wishing they were warmer!
I have most definitely been in a “cave” myself the past 6 weeks but I can’t blame January. I may follow in the footsteps of the Groundhog for a while longer but I did want to make sure and stop by to say “hi”, Dana 🙂
Hi Mike – thanks for catching up with me!
I understand this. January was blah. February isn’t much better. I am just not a winter person. I need warmth. And lots of sun.
I can handle the cold if there is also sun, and no wind. But I still prefer spring!
That’s what February does to me! I put on pajamas Friday night and could gladly stay in them until Sunday morning for church. If I didn’t have to leave the house every day for work, it would be even worse!
That’s my problem, Rabia – I don’t have to get dressed for work!
It’s been raining here quite a lot and I stayed home for the entire weekend including a Monday leave from work. In all honesty, I just want to curl up in bed and sleep. I’m usually out and about on weekdays though so that pretty much covers up the weekend. Hope you get your much needed “outdoor” activities! 🙂
I did this weekend, thanks! Today is windy and cold though, so I’m back inside.
January usually has the same effect on me, but it has been different this year somehow. I felt more positive and more alive than before. Maybe it has to do with the fact that for the first time in 4 years we were able to go exploring our new neighborhood and go for a walk without explaining why we are going, where, and how. It felt liberating in a way. When we lived with my mom it was literally in a very rural area that was nothing but fields of corn/wheat and farmhouses without an actual park, or forest or woods to walk about. I’m glad you are making a comeback though and won’t let January get the best of you!
I made it through, Ana! I’m so glad to hear that January was a good month for you, and that you are enjoying your new home and the freedom that comes with it.
It sounds like Groundhog Day! Only, you’re making your comeback around then, instead of starting the burrowing in. I like that.
February isn’t exactly starting well here with a big storm forecast, but ah well. We’ll have to enjoy it because it’s our only choice.
Very true. I just have to concentrate on the good parts about being stuck in the house. Good thing I like being with my family!
thank you for making me feel more normal. Hugs.
We both had yoga pants on the brain this week 🙂
I love cozy-ing in for a few days but beyond that I get stir crazy. But you are right, it takes a conscious effort to drag yourself out during hibernation season – aka January!
It does, but I get stir crazy after a few days too!
I’m with you on the January thing, although February is the worst month for me. February tends to be the depth of winter here, and the most “brutal” in terms of weather. Plus it’s the month of Valentine’s Day, which seems as if it should be warm and flowery — but it isn’t. I’m trying though. The kids are big skiers, and so that is forcing me to be out and about in January and February. Perhaps we’ll both find some sort of winter redemption eventually!?!?!
I hope so! I have never stepped on skis in my life, nor have my kids. We’re more of a warm weather family, which makes me question why we live where we do.
So gorgeously evocative, Dana, your words and exquisite photos. It’s lovely to hibernate, and equally lovely to be up and out… when we’re ready :). Have a wonderful weekend!
I have had a wonderful weekend, Nicki – thank you. I may hibernate a little tomorrow, but that’s what Mondays are for in my book.
This sounds just like me in the winter! Don’t worry; I think it’s normal for all of us to become a little bit of a hermit this time of year. If I could stay inside in my stretchy pants and sweatshirt until late March, I think I would.
But you’re right — spring will be here eventually, and we’ll all be ready to head back out.
I was actually out yesterday – it was cold but sunny. And I was with girlfriends, which helps a lot.
January is so tough. I find that February is even worse though. What I wouldn’t give to spend a week in the sun about now.
Tell me about it! My parents are on a cruise, and I am freezing my ass of in my own house.
I’ve been feeling the January blahs, too. Thank goodness it is almost February. January seemed like a really long month.
It did, but now it’s February. By the end of this month I’ll be waking up when it’s actually light outside – yay!
I’m right there with you. I have done the bare minimum as far as being out lately. The past couple of days I can tell that I’m ready tone over my hermit life!! Today I put on jeans, a sweater and boots and spent most of the day out – crazy!!!
You crazy kid, Kim. 😉 I did too.
Oh, Dana, so not yourself! So much more resembling me! Snap out of it, lady! How will I ever have the energy to be social without your example?
I snapped out of it Sarah! No yoga pants at all this weekend, and I was out and about. You can do it too – I know you can. 😉
Okay, I am SO wanting some days like this, even though I am just like you–I am a people lover and an all-thing do-er. But dammit, it’s been crazy busy and I WANT A SNOW DAY!!!! 🙂 Keep your head up; it’ll pass! I was in a bit of a funk the last couple of weeks and that never happens to me, so I was so glad when I woke up last Saturday feeling so much better. You will, too!
SHAY! A comment from you! Actually I had three in my spam folder, so I kept the longest one. Thanks for persevering, and for the encouraging words. I am feeling less funky after a short weekend away with friends, and I’m ready to take on February.
Persevere, Dana! January is almost done.
I’m considering one of those special lights for people with SAD.
I wonder if they really work? I need a stronger electric blanket before one of those lights – I can’t shake the chill!
It is such a hard month!!!! I have been feeling this way too even though Im nonstop I’ve been craving “fun”….then I saw Fleetwood Mac:) I got my groove back! Cheers to February;0 xo love month!!!
Cheers to February! I spent the weekend with my girlfriends, so I am ready to face the world!
Love that last sentence!!! 🙂 I think lots of people have the January blahs right now. You know I actually like winter, but we haven’t had any snow around her so far. I was just telling my kids this morning, it either needs to snow or winter needs to just move on out. I’m tired of the plain old gray, cold days. No snow days, no fun, no sun – just blah. Wish we lived closer – we could meet up for coffee and give both of us an excuse to get gussied up! 🙂
That would be wonderful, Lisa! I agree – give me a good snow instead of these dustings that we have had – school closes and the kids can’t even go out and play in it.
First of all, what amazing photos!!
Isn’t is weird how much the weather can affect our mood?! Today it’s cloudy here and already I feel blah and ready to leave work and just curl up under a quilt at home!!
I hear you – it’s sunny here today, but really windy. I’m proud of myself for not crawling back in bed – I have to take small victories where I can.
This sounds so familiar. And for me the sad part is that when it isn’t dreary and the sun does shine, it hurts my eyes ands gives me a headache. Miserable.
I wear sunglasses even when it’s cloudy – I’m always squinting!
So do I! 😀
HAHAHA!!! Oh I felt like a million bucks when I applied make-up the other day. I was all “Hey hot stuff”…I felt human.
I didn’t put on a bra though because that’s the perk (pun) of not having boobs.
Hey, it’s almost February. Closer to spring!
Yes! But it’s still so far away…
Dana, I’m with you. I usually hide in January. It’s actually a respite for me, after December. By February – I am ready to live again. We’ve been cold here in the ATL, but at least no snow (yet!). The first picture, with the snow/ice on the tree – Oh momma, stunning!
It really is beautiful – especially from inside the warmth of my house!
hahaha…loved your take Dana!
So true
First we ought to get a life then we can think of the world 😉
TGIF
Thanks – you too!
Ughhhh. I ‘m right there with you. Ok we can do this. I’m donning the pants with the zippers and buttons. I’m heading out to get some fresh tulips for the vases. I’m leashing up Poppy and going further today on our walk. Bring on February. Better yet bring on March. Dana – bless you. And thanks.
We can do this, Kelly! But not today – it’s really windy outside. 😉
Girl – I saw that video of your closet. You have too many pairs of bad ass shoes to be living in hoodies and yoga pants. Although I get it. January. Cold and Dark. Not feeling fun at all after festive December, Good vibes to you my friend – and I’m glad you got a wink in at yourself with those gorgeous mascara’ed eyes.
Thank goodness a post that involves SHOWERING!!!!!! I could be half dead and I am STILL GOING TO SHOWER!!!! There have been so many post recently that are PROUD to not be showering…. Ewwwww..
That TREE is beautiful, and please take a picture in Spring, Summer and of course Autumn…… A shower makes for a great day!!!! Go yoga pants and hoodie!!!!!
I’ve been in hoodies and yoga pants whenever I do not need to go into the office. I think it’s a comfort in these cold dreary days. I also loved your sentence about watching yourself with a combination of fascination and disgust… I can relate to that so much. Years and years ago, I got laid off from a job that I adored at the time and it hit me really really hard. I didn’t take a shower for I think (?) 3 or 4 days, and I remember being fascinated and disgusted with myself. It took my dad calling me and inviting me to a movie for me to get my butt dressed and washed. Thanks for doing FTSF!!
Hoodies and pajama bottoms are the official uniform of winter hibernation. Love this post Dana 🙂
Live it up, girl! You can do it. One of the hardest things I find about living in Michigan (maybe especially after growing up in LA) is that we’ve got a LONG time until spring. Seriously, there are no leaves on the trees here until MAY. So my bad month is March because I can see on the TV that other parts of the TV are enjoying spring and I’m still shoveling and freezing my butt off!
Ugh – I can imagine. Here in Maryland, March can be awful or great, and it’s usually both. But by the tail end we are starting to thaw out.
Hahaha, that is a great response to the prompt! I considered participating in FTSF, but I couldn’t come up with something interesting. One of these days I’ll think of a clever response to those prompts!
But I hear you. January is TOUGH! I’m thankful to have a toddler this one instead of a newborn. It’s a lot of work to get out, but otherwise I would probably live in my pajamas also.
The kids do get you out of the house. Although some days I just need to drive them places, so I keep my slippers on! God help me if I actually had to get out of my car…
I’m still smiling from this post. And here I thought I was the only one who had pajama pants and one bra in the laundry this morning. January is, indeed, a cruel and miserable month. I’m happiest inside in front of my warm fireplace, reading a good book, and daydreaming about warmer climes.
Me too! Mom gave me an electric blanket last week, and I’ve been wrapping myself in it when I sit in front of my computer. I just can’t get warm!
Please tell me you have a car with 4 wheel drive, because it looks like we are getting snow Sunday and I want to see those pants!!
No 4-wheel drive, but we will be there anyway!
I like this take no prisoners attitude! I’m normally such a winter hermit, but it’s been oddly mild here in Minneapolis so I’ve been up and about more than usual. I’ve even had the chance to wear some of my cool boots and not just my ice fisherman boots.
Cool boots are always better than ice fisherman boots! I have more reasons to go out next month, so I hope that will get me up and moving. Of course it’s going to snow and ice again on Sunday…
Ha! I love how you finished the sentence. Even though January makes you a hermit I’m happy to hear that you shower. Not showering seems to have become “a thing” – a thing I just can’t understand.
I’m sure that tree makes you what to withdraw further into your shell but it sure is beautiful.
It is beautiful – from indoors in my hoodie and pajama pants. But always showered!
Dana, I think you already know how I feel about January, the cold and the snow from all my complaining, so yes I sadly I truly get this, but like you I am trying so hard not to let January win – after all it is almost February in a few short days now! 🙂
Haha! This is me in January too. It’s cold and I feel worn out from the holidays. There is usually someone who gets sick, etc. Your clothing uniform sounds so comfy, like mine! I might be less motivated to go out, but I really do enjoy the puttering around the house and coziness of staying in this month. 🙂
Me too – even though it seems a bit excessive for me this year!
I know…and more snow on Sunday. Ugh. At least February is a short month, and I have more plans that will force me to come out of hibernation.