Have you ever seen a baby giraffe being born?
Because that's how I'm approaching January...
Have you ever seen a baby giraffe being born? They kind of slink out slowly and slop to the floor from a great height, immediately try to stand, wobble about uncertainly for a bit, stumble, get back up, repeat several times over until, that's it, they're off. That's how I'm approaching January.
Following?
I've always kind of disliked January because you know, no money, it's dark and gloomy, bloody frost, one month can feel like it takes five years to pass, blah blah blah. But, this time round, I'm giving it my best baby giraffe. I'm slinking around. I'm putting one foot in front of the other until I figure it out. I'm lifting my extremely giraffe like neck up and popping my head above the parapet (I can’t promise I’ve nailed this phrase but you’ll get my drift).
At times this month I’ve felt a little unsteady - how do I do my job post Christmas break? Do I really need to eat 2 more creme eggs when we’re so far from Easter (more on that another day)? Why am I defrosting my windscreen again? Can I face sucking the condensation from my windows with my Karcher every pissing morning. But then I plant my feet firmly and strut on forwards. Fumbling around and figuring it out as I go.
And what I’ve figured out so far…
Wear the colourful things because it’ll bring you all the joy. And it’ll make other people pull on their sunnies.
Don’t save things for best. My mum gifted me an outrageous black tulle skirt for my birthday which I’ve already worn into the office. Because why save something so beautiful. I want to wear it all the time.
You can get your creativity back. I’ve been painting florals, sketching my son and showing him how to mix watercolours and paint a robin together. And it’s been nothing but pure pleasure. If you follow me on Instagram you’ll see I’m one painting away from an exhibition - I joke.
I’ve been spending evenings jotting down ideas for posts here, furiously typing my thoughts down in my notes as and when they come. I'm attempting to get back into the practice of regular writing for myself again. And not being mad at myself if I don't.
Allowing my creativity to flow has meant I'm leaning into some creative projects I've had in my mind for a while. And looking for someone dead nifty with a sewing machine to help bring them to life.
The gym doesn’t have to be gymtimidating. I'm dragging my mum to an obscenely early PT sesh (which runs alongside a women’s only lifting sesh - yes!) every Sat so we can flex our biceps and wonder at the strength of my legs in a leg press. I want to do a whole thing on this because our PT deserves a shoutout.
As a family, we're making time to hang out. To play. To walk. To scoot. To be outdoors. To cosy up on the sofa under our duvet and watch films.
We may only be halfway through the month, but I feel like I’m putting my best hoof forward. Bring it on.
Ending by sharing said video of giraffe birth.
How are you all feeling?