Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are all well and have had a lovely weekend and start to the week. I cannot believe how cold it has turned today, as I am writing this in my office at HPP, snow is gently falling outside and I can hear lots of excitement from both children and adults, alike! Currently, it isn’t settling but you never, know. . .fingers crossed.
As you are reading this, I will, hopefully, be sat on a train to London on my way to a Society of Heads committee meeting. Tuesday will have come and ‘Blue Monday’, as the third Monday in January is becoming known as, will be over. I find the concept of ‘Blue Monday’ as strange one. I completely get that Monday mornings can be hard. Monday mornings in the middle of January, when it’s cold, dark and wet, can be harder still. However, to precondition us and to build up a day to be the most depressing of the whole year, without us first giving it a try to be a good and positive day, doesn’t sit right with me. We wouldn’t do this with a person.
For those of you who don’t know, ‘Blue Monday’ is the third Monday of January. It has been awarded the gloomy title due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold and dark nights/mornings, the lack of fun events being planned and the arrival of bills that people maybe struggling to pay after the Christmas extravagance. According to the media, a university professor managed to precisely calculate the most depressing day of the year, using a formula. Supposedly, the date was calculated by using many factors, including: weather conditions, lack of spendable money, the time passed since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action. In reality ‘Blue Monday’ was, what has turned out to be the most effective PR campaign by a travel agency using our supposedly low moods to entice us into booking holidays with them to make us feel better and to have something to look forward to in the coming months.
I don’t buy into the whole ‘Blue Monday’ propaganda (as you can probably tell!). The third Monday in January might not be the greatest day ever some years but then the same could be said for the fourth Friday in June or the first Wednesday in November! I think its ok to feel ok or not so ok on any day of the year. So, this week, I thought I would give you 15 reasons why we should love January:
- Staying in
The fact that it is entirely acceptable to become a little bit of a hermit after all the excitement of Christmas and New Year. There’s much less social pressure to get out and about at this time of the year, so it’s a great chance to recharge my batteries.
- Wearing thick woolly socks and jumpers
Super cosy and the socks are like giving my toes a cuddle.
- Bracing winter walks on sunny, cold days
Simply beautiful.
- It’s starting to get dark a little later in the day
I know this is a long shot but it is, each day it gets a little bit lighter. Soon, the clocks will change and light evenings will be back!
- Heart-warming stews
Delicious!
- Time for thinking
January is a great time to reflect on the past year but also make plans for the months ahead.
- Afternoons in front of the television
There is nothing better than watching a film or a Midsomer in the depths of winter – atmospheric, snuggly and as I am recharging my batteries, I might have a quick nap!
- Cosy blankets
Whether on the sofa, in the car or in bed, a cosy blanket is a must! They just make you feel so safe.
- An open fire
There is nothing I like more than being sat in front of an open fire with an adult beverage in my hand. The sounds and the smells of a fire are so comforting to me and remind me of Sunday afternoon’s at my parents’ house.
- Reading
When it’s too wet and cold to go out for a long time or you want an hour or so to yourself, reading is the way to go – relaxing, engaging and distracting. . .a fab way to while away the hours!
- A bubble bath
Nothing can warm you up after being outside like a bath can.
- Sunrises and sunsets
With the darker winter mornings and evening, the sunrises and sunsets that we see at this time of the year can be beautiful. . .such stunning colours.
- Champagne mornings
Those mornings where it is so cold but bright blue skies – everywhere is cold and sparkling due to the frost. . . I also like other mornings that involve Champagne!
- Leftovers
Everyone has left over Christmas cake, mince pies or Christmas goodies at this time of the year. These treats are perfect, mid-afternoon with a cup of tea.
15 Snow
Just the word makes me excited and filled with anticipation – I know, I am very child-like when snow is mentioned but there is something magical about frozen particles falling from the sky. . .
What is your favourite thing about January?
Quote of the week: “Do things for people not because of who they are, or what they do in return, but because of who you are.”
Well-being tasks for this week: These tasks are for a happier start to the year.
Tuesday 17 January –Be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes
Wednesday 18 January – Get back in contact with an old friend
Thursday 19 January – Focus in the good today, even if it’s a tough day
Friday 20 January – Go to be early and allow yourself to recharge
Saturday 21 January – Try something out of your comfort zone today
Sunday 22 January – Plan something fun and invite others to join in
Monday 23 January – Meditate, focus on the moment
Jokes of the week:
Why did the robber jump in the shower?
He wanted to make a clean getaway.
What kind of shoes do robbers wear?
Sneakers.
What’s a witch’s favourite subject in school?
Spelling
What is a vampire’s favourite fruit?
A blood orange.
What instrument does a skeleton play?
The trom-bone.
Sleeps til Santa: 341 sleeps til Santa
5 things that I am grateful for or looking forward to this week:
Can you try this simple exercise in gratitude and positivity?
- I am looking forward to a weekend of family birthdays and celebrations
- I am looking forward to breakfast with an old friend
- I am looking forward to a quiet train journey to London
- I am grateful for Patsy snoring loudly next to me
- I am grateful for my warm house
Have a wonderful week,
Lots of love this week
Mrs Bennett
