Rethinking My January Blues

Even though it’s my birth month, I’ve never been a big fan of January. When I was young, I envied those who had summer birthdays and could celebrate with a pool party, beach bash, or an outdoor BBQ. Because my birthday closely follows the holiday season, people are pretty much over it by then, and in no mood to celebrate. After the big run-up to Christmas (that now begins as early as October), January can feel like a bit of a letdown, a sad gray month with little to get excited about.

In the Northern Hemisphere, January is known for low temps and dreary weather, the winter doldrums. Even though it doesn’t snow where we live, January is often our coldest and wettest month. February can be cold and wet too, but at least it has the good sense to last only 28 days, as opposed to January’s 31.

Recently, an article in The New York Times by Steven Kurutz has me rethinking my dislike of January. Reading his homage to the month, I began to realize that it’s actually the lack of much going on that makes it wonderful. There are fewer crowds and even fewer social obligations. There is less traffic on the roads and not as many people in stores and restaurants.

Just last night, as we drove to meet friends for dinner, my husband remarked about how little traffic there was. When we got to the restaurant, we were seated right away in an outdoor courtyard near some space heaters. We were warm and cozy and enjoyed a nice leisurely dinner with our friends, not feeling the least bit rushed so the table could be turned for the next guests.

January has a slower rhythm that allows us to relax, reflect, and rejuvenate. The cold weather is often a great excuse to spend time indoors organizing, decluttering, making soup, or just cuddling up with a good book. It’s a month made for introverts.

I no longer wish I could have a beach party or BBQ on my birthday. As the days slowly lengthen – we gain about a half an hour of daylight over the course of the month – I know there will be plenty of opportunities for outdoor celebrations when the weather warms up. For now, I’m happy to enjoy the sense of calm that January brings, allowing me to breathe again.  

My husband’s caramelized orange cheesecake is the only birthday gift I need.

This post is linked to the monthly What’s Been on Your Calendar? linkup hosted by Donna, Deb, Jo, and Sue.

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Author: Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com

My blog is about travel, relationships, photography, and whatever else pops into my head (even, sometimes, issues surrounding retirement and aging).

111 thoughts on “Rethinking My January Blues”

  1. I read that article, too, and I thought, wow, I should change my expectations. Easier said than done. However, in the category of big wins, I have finally learned to swim in the winter — a heated outdoor pool — but still hard for me.

  2. Hi, Janis – I love your positive outlook on life. January can be such a dreary month where we live (which is why I have been trying to escape it). But you are right – it is also filled was so many great things which for me includes extended family time, Richard’s and my anniversary, my mom’s birthday and your birthday!! Now that’s a lot to LOVE!! ❤

  3. Happy belated birthday, Janis. That cake looks scrumptious. If I were to live a normal life in the US or Belgium, I would embrace the quiet of January and focus on things indoors and maybe some relaxing. In general, I do see January as a new, blank page. But, time always flies, so it’s hard to believe that this month is almost over already! 2024 will be 1/12th gone before we know it!

  4. Happy Birthday Janis! I love that you’ve found some special aspects to brighten your birthday month. I understand that sense of let down- I bet many people do after the holidays are over. My son’s birthday is Jan 8th. I remember when he was young I would buy not only Christmas gifts for him but also his birthday gifts at the same time. We had parties for him, but definitely not many outdoors. I wonder if it bothered him at all?

    That cheesecake looks amazing! My birthday is in September if your husband wants to send one my way 😉

    1. My parents did a great job making my birthday special for me, even though they were probably tired from all the holiday hubbub. I’m sure your son was made to feel special too.

      The cheesecake really is amazing. I’ll let my husband know about your offer. 🥳

  6. I also have a January birthday and grew up loving the month. It’s cold and sunny and full of snow — things I love. And I think early on my mother must have made enough of a big deal that my birthday felt special. I remember going skating on the pond one year. Now I love the entire month because as you said it’s quieter with less obligations, time for creativity and rejuvenation. Happy birthday — enjoy that cake Janis. Bernie

      1. I guess that’s the thing about Canadians – winter doesn’t keep us inside! So there was skating. Definitely no beach themes but that wouldn’t happen in the summer either where I grew up.

  7. My brother had an early January birthday, as does my husband. I get what you mean about everybody being over with celebrations. They both complain about having “join Christmas and birthday gifts.” Happy birthday!

  8. That’s terrific. I was agreeing with your reasoning to dislike a January birthday, but then that new perspective totally makes sense too. Cheers to looking at things from a different angle and seeing the blessings! Also, drooling, as is now my annual custom, at your hubby’s cheesecake!

  9. Being a January baby I didn’t particularly enjoy having my birthday during the summer holidays as usually my friends were away with family and usually so were we. Winter is not the only season for dreary weather as I look outside. Oh well, nothing we can do about it and thank goodness for a variety of activities no matter what the weather.

  10. January is a great month for dinners out or lunches with family and friends. Here the days are noticeably longer giving them a positive vibe. I enjoy the quiet after December because all of our birthdays and Christmas fall in December and as much as we make them special for all, this introvert loves the calm that January brings. Wonderful post.

  12. I’ve always thought of January as a welcome respite after the holidays — which seem to be getting longer every year. I can see how a birthday close to Christmas would mean sort of getting lost in the shuffle. But for a cheesecake like that I think I wouldn’t care.

    1. I have a new appreciation for January… February too. It does feel like the world slows down a bit and I am enjoying the relative calm. I am so fortunate that my husband is willing to make the cheesecake for me every year (of course, he gets to share in eating it).

  13. That’s a fine gift, and happy late birthday greetings, Janis. My son has a January birthday too, and looks forward to just a little bit of luxury and time that doesn’t have to be spent rushing around or cooking for everyone. My November birthday had me travelling south to the sun some years.

  14. Belated Happy Birthday wishes, Janis! That cheesecake is definitely a labor of love. “It’s a month made for introverts”. I never thought of it that way, but now I always will thanks to you. So true! I just said to Alan a couple of days ago that it’s amazing what you can accomplish when you stay home and finally have the time to attack the project list and make plans for the year ahead.

    1. I’m glad that you are enjoying the calmness of January too. It’s a great month to make plans… or do nothing. I think the lack of expectations is my favorite part (although, come to think of it, I do expect my husband to make me that cheesecake).

  15. Happy Birthday, and that cheesecake is a wonderful gift to be enjoyed. I think you have something when you say January is for Introverts especially after the hubbub of the holiday season. It allows your mind to wander, settle, and plan for the rest of the year. Happy almost February!

  17. I can relate to this. I’m also a Januarian. Boogers. On top of the dreariness and people’s lack of enthusiasm in celebrating, it’s always full of calamity. I’m not making that up either. Both my parents died in January (30 years apart) with my dad buried on my birthday. My relationships break up then. Cats die. Each fall I steel myself to believe that it’s all nonsense and it will be a wonderful January and it never is. However, you are right about dining out and traffic. I also get some birthday coupons that I can use toward holiday closeouts. I always look forward to Groundhog Day because I consider it the first day of spring (even though we often get more snow in February). Here’s to us Januarians! We are a tough group! Just a few more days left! Happy birthday! My husband does not make cheesecake!

    1. I can see why you would rather skip January entirely. I hope you get through this one unscathed.

      I like your take on Groundhog Day… that sounds about right to me. Why wait until March? And, I love your term Januarians… we need to stick together. Happy birthday to you, also.

  18. What a great reminder that our dreary gray months of January and February are better than we thought. Easy for me to say this year since we spent January in mostly sunshiney Arizona. But you are so right about January being slower and less crowded. After all, not only is your birthday this month (Happy birthday, BTW, you could have said something to me and Cheryl), both my daughters have birthdays, too.
    It was fun to meet you again for lunch, Janis! Enjoy the rest of a San Diego winter and yes, I’m excited about another 60 minutes of evening light once we arrive back home on Wednesday.

    1. Although I have never lived where it snowed, I imagine I’d head to sunnier locals too. I didn’t realize that both of your daughters had January birthdays. Good planning 🙂. I’m sure you made them feel individually special as they were growing up.

      It was great to see you too! Thanks for making the effort to get together while you were here.

  19. We have had an unusually high number of gloomy/overcast days this month, temps have been higher than usual for January, our town is crowded with Snowbirds, and my MIL passed away, so not a good month for us. On the positive side, we are using the rainy, stay-inside-all-day-days to get some thinking done. And, we managed to wedge in two birthday celebrations for Malcolm at the end of the month. I didn’t bake a glazed orange cheesecake for him, but he did receive a carrot cake from a friend.

    Loving January takes a certain mindset, which we typically have, just not this year. For now, I’ll be happy that you have learned to see all the positives of this quiet, reflective month. Happy Birthday!

  21. My birthday’s the end of April, which is often ideal weather-wise. Having said that, I have always loved January. There’s a lot to be said for cozy indoor warmth and no crowds!

    Happy birthday! The cheesecake looks downright amazing.

  22. Happy birthmonth. I like your take on January (now). I hated it when I was working because we had a ton of work to do between Jan 1 and mid-February, and there wasn’t going to be a holiday until Memorial Day. Here in Connecticut, that meant getting up extra early on snow days to clear the driveway and get to work. Now that I’m retired, I do like the things you’ve mentioned about the month. That cheesecake looks wonderful.

    1. At least now schools and some businesses have MLK Day off. It didn’t exist before 1986. It’s funny how our perceptions change as we go from work to retirement. I used to look forward to the weekend, now I love weekdays. I used to love all the time off and socializing around the holidays… now, give me the calm of January!

  23. In Glasgow we get a music festival in January. So no time to feel dreary! I’m a July baby – my birthday was always just before school broke up which wasn’t too bad, but when I was a student everyone had dispersed homewards by that time. As an adult I’ve always been happy that I can usually be on vacation somewhere for my birthday.

    1. I love that you have a big music festival in January. I bet it adds a lot of joy and excitement to an otherwise cold and gray month. Do you get a lot of tourists or is it attended mostly by the residents?

      Being on vacation for your birthday sounds like the perfect way to celebrate.

  24. Happy birthday,Janis! I am inspired by your new-found perspective on January. As a teacher it seemed like the longest stretch without a break, but, it probably wasn’t really, but kids were often confined inside or at least under cover in CA. Yard duty was always a drudgery, and it was a time for winter sniffles. Other than that, I loved it. Thanks for sharing your new vantage point. It’s way past time for me to drop my old teacher viewpoint! Have a wonderful birthday month.

  27. That’s a brilliant observation about January. I’ve always appreciated January for those lengthening days. Although around here we also get our share of dreary dismal days that seem nearly as dark as the night.

    Happy belated BD. I remember you talking about that delicious cake your hubby makes for you! That looks so yummy!

    1. I was so happy to read that article and learn a new way to look at the month. I have a new appreciation for the calmness January brings after the crazy holiday season. I think the best part is that I no longer have to hear Christmas music wherever I go 🙂 (And, yes, the cake is so, so yummy.)

  28. Hi Janis, Reading your post reminds me why I like January. The holiday season pace slows down and I agree with your words “I’m happy to enjoy the sense of calm that January brings, allowing me to breathe again.” We have some family birthdays, yet they often get postponed until we find a date that works for everyone…often sketchy driving weather around here. Happy Birthday hugs to you, Janis.💕 Erica

  29. Hi Janis thanks for sharing your January thoughts with us at #WBOYC?. You could always visit Australia for your birthday as we are in the height of summer – hot and humid! I was busy in January but did take a step back and only did things I really wanted to do. Here in Australia with long summer days it’s hard not to stay in holiday mode for the month. Happy belated birthday and have a fabulous February x

    1. I would love to visit Australia… but when it’s hot and humid maybe not so much. Although I have found a new appreciation for January, I think the months in spring and fall are still my favorites. Actually, at my age, maybe all the months are my favorite. 🙂

  30. Happy Birthday Month Janis, and thanks for reminding me (again) how wonderful that cheesecake is.I’ll be pulling the recipe out soon. January is a good time to wind down from the holidays and start counting the longer days. I’ve decided that I like it too. Tracey

  31. I’m glad Steven Kurutz gave you a positive spin for the month of January Janis. Here in SE Michigan, January is noted for being the grayest month of the year and sure has been that way this January, with a potpourri of every kind of weather imaginable. I remember your caramelized orange cheesecake – what a sweet thing. Of course I mean your husband, not the dessert, of course. 🙂

      1. He’s a keeper for sure Janis. I could take your weather over our January weather, even with the rain – here the days are getting longer which is a big plus.

  33. You’re right, even though January is a long, cold month, it is also a month where we can slow down a bit after the hectic pace of the holidays. My husband and I also have a tradition of going on a vacation in Florida for a week in January, which also helps us cope! Florida gets very busy in February and March, but January really isn’t too crowded there either. And I hope you had a nice birthday celebration!

  34. Oh my Janis, that cheesecake looks amazing!! Happy birthday to you, it’s the Mathematician’s tomorrow 301/ and he says it’s just another day which I know it is but I like to have a bit of celebrating going on. Our January’s are much different to your so maybe come downunder for your birthday one year! Thanks for joining us for #WBOYC

  35. I do feel for those who end up having to share Christmas and birthday celebrations and gifts, so I always make a special effort for family members whose birthdays fall close to the holiday season. One reason I’m not overly fond of January is that it’s the season when everyone feels they have to make changes, to act on NY resolutions, to diet off the holiday season’s extra pounds ‘n all that jazz. I like to ease my way into the new year, so maybe I’ve always been more of a introvert than I realised!

    Belated birthday wishes – what a fabulous cake! 🙂

    1. I’ve never been one to make resolutions or force big changes on myself just because it’s a new year. I remember when I went to a gym regularly how January was always so busy. By mid-February, it was pretty much back to normal.

      Thank you for the birthday wishes… the cake was amazing!

  36. I’ve always liked January around here. In the past it was usually around 20ºF with sunny skies and a covering of snow. Pretty and brisk. I looked forward to the month as a time to recharge, relax, read, BUT now with climate change January is gray and wet and the temps are in the 40s. It is defeating and depressing to look out on or be out in. I don’t know when I’ve experienced a longer January than I have this year.

  38. I’m a December baby, so I can sort of relate to having a birthday during (or in your case just after) all the festivities. One does get lost in the shuffle. We joined another couple last weekend for dinner at a restaurant that gets a lot of buzz, and I was worried about parking and waiting for a table (despite our having a reservation). The place was only 3/4 full! – Marty

      1. We get some snowbirds, yes. In fact our downstairs neighbors are snowbirds from Virginia, which makes it nice and quiet most of the year for us. 😆. But northern Florida isn’t the sexiest destination for those in cold states because they want warm weather, and we do have occasional mornings in the thirties and forties during December, January, and February even. So we tend to get the hardier types who look for mild weather and a lower cost of living compared to Tampa, Miami, West Palm, etc.

  39. Thanks for the reminder to enjoy winter more because I tend to get the post-holiday doldrums as well. I am trying to appreciate the gifts that each season brings, so your post was perfect timing for me.

    Happy birthday to you! That cheesecake looks amazing! What a thoughtful, and delicious, tradition.

    1. Even though we don’t get too wrapped up in the holiday craziness, it’s hard to avoid the hubbub. Now that it’s over and I’m not hearing Christmas music wherever I go, I am able to completely relax. Of course, my husband can’t completely relax until he makes me “my” cheesecake. Fortunately, he loves it too. 🙂

  40. I LOVE January (and February), Janis, for the very reasons you and Kurutz describe. I’m completely exhausted by New Year’s Day, and then suddenly all the hubbub pauses for two months of peace – no events, no holidays, no yard work, limited volunteering, no travel, nothing pressing. I get to rest and be creative for two whole months. It’s like heaven. Then the craziness starts up in March and doesn’t let up until the next New Year’s Day. Enjoy, my friend. And Happy Belated Birthday!

    1. Oh no, your crazies start as early as March? I hope you are able to thoroughly enjoy the calm of January and February. We have no plans to travel now either so I’m enjoying cocooning at home. Unfortunately, the recent rains have brought an avalanche of weeds so no respite from yardwork for me. 🙂

      1. March is spring here and the yard/garden work starts. Then, because we only have about 4 months without rain, everybody stuffs every day with activities. Then the holidays. I always look forward to January’s reprieve. 🙂

  41. First of all, happy birthday Janis! I love this take on January. In truth, I do enjoy the slower pace of January. It’s the cold and the gray I typically object to. However, having spent most of January in Southern Utah, where it is a little warmer and a lot less inversion than I’ve experienced in the past, I quite enjoyed January this year.

  42. Wow! What a gorgeous, luscious birthday cake!
    I, too, read the ode to January article, but I never needed convincing. I am quite content this time of year to have a slower pace, though I seem to be rather behind on work these days. Where did the month go?!
    Happy birthday, Janis. And a happy new year to you as well.

    1. Thank you for the BD wishes! I wish I had realized January’s charms much sooner. When I was young and going to school or working, days off were a big deal and January (at that time) had none except New Years Day. Now that I’m not working and every day is a day off, the calmness of the month is its selling point.

  43. I can see why, as a kid you’d dislike a January birthday, but now you’re appreciating the down time and relaxing. Happy Birthday, Janis! 🎂

  44. This has been an interminably long January, in my view. Part of it is that we returned to school on the 2nd. Next year it won’t be until the 6th! I only partly share your (former) dim view of January. As you say, we introverts are happy that the constant frivolity is over and done with. My credit cards certainly enjoy the breather. The diet returns to normal after so much indulgence. But I still would appreciate a summer birthday, mainly so I wouldn’t have to use up a precious personal day getting the day off most years. Anyway, happy birthday to you. Your husband has clearly mastered that cheesecake. Mine didn’t look nearly that professional!

  45. For many years now, January has been a month that we’re traveling, so it’s always a time of excitement for us. But I do remember our years in Oregon when we spent most of the winter at home, and by the time March rolled around, I was so over it!

    Now that we’re living in North Carolina without an RV, we’re spending our winters in Florida so we’re still not having to deal with the winter doldrums. I’m sure the day will come when we spend a winter in NC. It’s going to be “interesting” in a tiny house, haha!

    P.S. That cheesecake that your husband makes for you looks divine! Happy birthday, and may this year bring you all kinds of wonderful adventures!

    1. I guess a lot of people travel to warmer climates in January and I’d probably be one of them if I lived where it snowed. Where we are, the weather isn’t awful and, in fact, can be quite nice. We are in between major rainstorms, and the skies are currently a cloudless bright blue.

      Yes, a long, cold winter in a tiny home could be challenging. I imagine a lot of books get read and jigsaw puzzles get finished.

      Thank you for the birthday wishes! It and the cake were wonderful.

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  50. I guess I’ve noticed that January has a slower rhythm, especially compared to hectic December! For me that was a great advantage this year as I had schedule adjustments to make. Glad your year is off to a good start!

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