January Feelings

There has been a lot of discourse online (at least in my algorithm) about January. And I completely understand why. January receives a lot of hate (from me as well sometimes). January follows three months of holidays where most people are having the times of their lives and living their busiest lives. The weather isn't the worst and the clothes are fun. Then we toast to the new year and have to get back to work and creating our "new" selves. 

I used to be someone that treated New Year's resolutions like they were the epitome of who I could be and who I was as a person. As I've gotten older, I've realized it's kind of lame. I believe you should set goals for yourself and I love a fresh start (and what is fresher than a brand new year?). But people go absolutely feral about trying to change themselves (a better me!) starting January 1st. 

There is nothing wrong with wanting to be your best self. You want to start a Whole 30? You want to do Dry January? You want to start a workout routine? You want to go to bed at 9 pm? You want to cook every dinner at home? You want to do a face mask once a week? Go for it. If you're feeling some kind of way about yourself and you want to make changes, you absolutely should. But I have qualms. You don't have to start in January. The wellness and fitness industry are absolutely looking to make money off of your self hatred and self doubt and knowing most people give up and still pay for memberships/subscriptions. You don't have to do everything all at once. You don't even have to change at all. Let's face it, this world doesn't give us the proper tools to be our "best selves" (hello, universal healthcare).

I am a firm believer that January, February, and even March are meant for hibernation. As a species, we've been taught to go, go, go even when our bodies are telling us to slow down. Winter is a natural time for us to chill the fuck out. And yet, we push to the opposite. Everyone circles back in their emails, we push ourselves to our limits at the gym, and we (let's face it) starve ourselves after what we assume is months of overindulgence. This is why I believe people never quite stick with their resolutions. January is not the month to start everything on your list. You can become a better you when the sun starts shining for longer and the days are warmer. You can start with the softer items instead of hitting the gym every day for two hours starting January 1st. 

As I mentioned, I love January as a reset month. It's the beginning of the year and it just feels fresh. I am learning to not overdo it. A lot of the things I'm trying this month are low stakes and I don't feel like I'm pushing myself really. I'm participating in Dry January and not drinking Coca-Cola. This comes along with laying lower this month, but I'm not going to pass up an opportunity to gather with loved ones just because I'm not partaking in alcohol. I started a 5-year journal that I'm writing in each day. I am working out 5 days a week, but I've been working out consistently for over a year now - this is nothing new that I've added into my routine. I'm trying to cook more meals at home, but this is also something I started doing a couple years ago now. This January, I'm trying to get back to being more mindful of what I'm doing. In February, when I've finished Dry January, I'm going to add my walking and running goals into the mix. Not everything has to be done at once. Small changes show big results.

There's nothing wrong with who you are right now. If you decide to not make any resolutions this year (or the next or the next or the next), that doesn't make you any less worthy of a good life. If you want to start out strong on January 1st, go for it! If you're somewhere in the middle, find the best time that works for your goals. You can't hate yourself into being a better you, but you can love yourself into a better you.

For funsies, I've added my Ins and Outs for 2025 (already on Instagram). I love these lists over resolutions. They feel more doable and fun and will potentially create a happier life for myself. 

What I Wore 1.4.25

We got so much snow this week. Sunday dropped around 9 inches in some areas and Friday probably dropped 3 inches by the time it stopped snowing. I do enjoy a good snow day (just not when I'm working). Everything is just more beautiful in the snow. 

This week seemed a little blah in outfits. It's not that I didn't like them, it just felt like I was wearing things out of necessity (hello freezing temperatures) and not because I really wanted to. Do I dare say they felt a little boring? I don't know. It was just a weird week, clothing wise. Maybe it was the lack of color after wearing such vibrant colors in December. The bones were good and I didn't feel icky in anything, so that is a win! 

A very cold day of doing nothing and a bit of running around. Not my usual choice of bottoms, but I do love a good denim look. Shop the look here.

I finally purchased this sweatshirt. I have been looking at it for awhile now and I got it on a bit of a sale. I don't really like wearing sports teams gear and this is perfect for those game days no matter who or what is playing. I think I need the t-shirt for summer. Shop the look here.

Mixing and matching what was in my bag. Snowed in and working from home! This was actually really cute and comfortable to wear. I always forget how much I like a chunky cardigan as a sweater top. Shop the look here.

Remember when they said, "don't wear brown and black together"? Utterly ridiculous. Brown and black are so good together (as are black and navy, in my opinion). Not exactly the most practical for all the snow, but I love it. Shop the look here.

I have never paired these pieces together before and I love it! Finding new ways to wear my pieces is my goal this winter and so far I'm having so much fun. Shop the look here. 

This was a difficult getting ready day. Nothing fit right and it felt like nothing was working. Went back to a tried and true: black and grey and sweater and circle skirt. Shop the look here. 

I love this outfit. I wore it last January. It's a bit whimsical, but still that academia look . Definitely a more fun and exciting outfit than yesterday. Shop the look here.

Dry January

 

I am participating in Dry January (with my boyfriend) this year. I haven't ever done this before as I never truly felt like I needed it. This year, I need it. The last quarter of 2023 and the first half of 2024 were particularly stressful for me. I noticed an uptick in my drinking, but didn't really think that much about it. As I've started to happily settle down into my life a bit more, I've realized it might be something to think about. 

I've never considered myself a heavy drinker and I still don't. I hardly drink at home and a hard night out might be four drinks. Looking back at weekend's and nights out, I have realized that those "hard" nights have become a bit frequent. Like almost every weekend. Yikes. I'm not saying this is necessarily bad, it's just not how I want to look back on my nights. 

Sober curious is an expression that has popped up (for me anyway) fairly recently. I wouldn't say that's what I am. I fully intend to have drinks after this month. My goal is to reset my system and break the habit. When I go out, I want to be more choosey about my drinking. Perhaps I'll start with a soda or mocktail instead of a cocktail and start the alcohol after the food comes. Maybe I'll do some kind of fun sparkling juice at a Tuesday dinner. I'll potentially decide two drinks are actually great instead of my usual four. The possibilities are mostly endless. 

Participating in Dry January, for me, is a way to let myself know it's okay to not have that drink. That I don't need alcohol to be social and my normal, goofy self. That not every brunch or dinner needs a cocktail. I'm doing it to prove that I can, basically. Also, I want to see if it changes my body composition. Personally, I don't think there will be an effect, but hey, worth a look. 

If you're wondering why the photo is one of me with a Coca-Cola, it's because I am also not drinking Coca-Cola this month. I thought I needed a little extra push as I actually feel addicted to Coca-Cola. Again, I'm mostly doing this to prove that I can, to change my habits (hello, water), and see if my body composition changes. I don't intend to give it up permanently. I wouldn't mind having a bit less of it though. 

I believe doing random challenges like this helps you form better habits and shows you what you're made of (mostly anyway). I know I don't need alcohol or soda, but I like a cocktail sometimes. I enjoy my Coca-Cola Classics. I just want to enjoy them a little bit less. 

If you're starting new habits or undoing old ones this month, you got this! If you're not, that's great too! I love starting over in January, but I also recognize it's not the best month for everyone. Do what makes you happy and (maybe) healthy. There's a big push to "be your best self" at the start of every year. That doesn't mean you have to overhaul who you are and do everything different. But if you're looking to make a change, start with something small and go from there. 

Weekend Camera Roll Crumbs 1.4.25

 

I love a packed weekend, but I absolutely adore a nothing packed weekend. I think since at least September, my weekends have been chock full of activities. Usually with groups of people and involving some kind of trip outside. I have cherished each and every one of these weekends, however, it's great to be getting back into a slower time. 

I thoroughly believe January (and February... and March...) are meant for us to slow down. We have just come off of two to three months of holidays, stuffed ourselves full of food and drink, and spent a ton of money doing it all. These winter months should be all about relaxing and getting back into routines (potentially starting new ones). I love starting something in January because it feels like a true fresh start, but I also recognize that it's not the best time to get ramped up. That's why I love an "ins and outs" for the year instead of resolutions. They're usually softer and don't require you to stop eating something or be on a treadmill for three hours. You can do both! Just remember that it's okay if January isn't your go go go month - it really shouldn't be!

So, this past weekend, we stayed in! It helped that we had a Winter Storm come through with about a foot of snow. Saturday was clear and we went to see Nosferatu. It's been a minute since I've been to the movie theater, so that was fun! We made all our breakfasts (except for Sunday morning), lunches, and dinners this weekend. That's something I don't think I've ever done, to be honest. I really enjoy cooking with my boyfriend and it was a fun bonding moment throughout the weekend. The snow came and we only ventured outside to let the dogs relieve themselves and for snacks just across the street. We played old N64 video games (hello, Star Fox), watched our shows, read, and napped. It was gorgeous.

What I Wore 12.28.24

The week-ish between Christmas and New Year's! Wowza. I've never had this time off before. I've always worked retail or some form of customer service that just never allowed for it and it never seemed like my best time to take PTO. I thoroughly enjoyed this time away from the office. I am honestly stumped at how I did everything I normally do and still worked at the same time! I was definitely more relaxed this year and didn't feel like I had to rush to do anything. It was really lovely and I wish more people were able to be less busy (with work) during the holidays. 

I'm honestly excited to get back to my regularly scheduled wardrobe. Holiday dressing is so much fun and I loved all of my outfits this year, but I'm really looking forward to taking that energy and putting it towards my every day. January - March is when I hate my clothes the most. I don't want that to happen this year. So, here is to trying! 

I love this outfit. Thought it would be great to wear to a VR facility. It was not. While comfortable, I was incredibly hot and sweaty. Shop the look here. 

A lazy day look. I wouldn't really call anything I wear "casual". Or I would, but other people's causal is usually different than my own. But I do love a sweatshirt with a cutie skirt. Shop the look here. 

Not back to work yet, but trying to get back into the groove this day. Shorts and tights during the winter are just the best. Shop the look here. 

My New Year's Eve Day outfit. I wanted to look chic and comfortable. I actually didn't put on makeup for this look (I wanted to get ready later) and it was really fun to be a bit dolled up without a face of makeup. Shop the look here.

The New Year's Eve Night look. This thrifted dress was too perfect to not wear this night. I'm not big on sequins and this was a perfect way to look cocktail party ready and very different from every other dress in the room while still looking festive. Shop the look here. 

And back to work! The temperatures have dropped (again) and pants just seemed like a good idea. Shop the look here. 

I have been coveting a certain look I saw on Jess Steele (find her here and here). The green and grey are just so perfect together. Who would have thought?! I finally found a grey skirt I wanted to spend money on and it's just so perfect. And it's actually a skort. Shop the look here.