Making Peace with January
On remembering magic in the darkest month
Check out my updated Workshops and Events page here for:
A 30-day writing project intensive
An in-person essay workshop
A transformational mini-retreat/circle for women
A 3-month Artist’s Way workshop
1:1 coaching sessions
“January is my least favorite month. I’ve always hated January.” It was part of my story for decades; it seemed like everybody always died in January. (Oh god, frantically knocking on wood already; please let’s have a funeral-free month!) It seemed like I was always at a cemetery in Iowa on a historically freezing day, mourning a loved one. Plus, Christmas is over. And it’s cold. I don’t like being cold. Also, I don’t ski.
Listen, perhaps I’ve already jinxed the entire operation, foreshadowing the fact that I’ve had a lovely first quarter of my former least favorite month of the year. But I’m going to knock on wood and whisper countercurses and double down: Right now, January feels good.
Because I’m me, and the idea of quietly enjoying something without meticulously dissecting the reasons for the enjoyment into bloody little bits feels unnatural to me, allow me to explain why I think this is. It’s threefold. Ahem.
I took a damn break. Then I had fun. I remembered beauty.
Number one. I did in fact give myself the majority of December to unplug and reset. Financially, this felt scary, but physically and emotionally, it was non-negotiable. I crawled into December feeling defeated, exhausted, and to be honest, kind of pissed off. It’s only a slight exaggeration to say that I emerged from the month as fresh and shiny as a newborn baby. Really, I’m not being sarcastic, you guys. I feel pretty fantastic right now.
In addition to a necessary break from the grind, I prioritized not only my physical health, but my emotional/spiritual health as well. Sure, I went to the gym and hiked with my dogs, but I also attended THREE sound bath/restorative yoga experiences in the span of one week, meditated daily, finished creating a writing workshop/sacred space in my basement, and also, oh my god, I GOT A HOBBY.
When did I last have a hobby?? I mean, decorating for Halloween and Christmas is sort of obsessively hobby-coded, and I always say “I enjoy singing, reading, writing, and yoga” when I have to do the part of my bio that doesn’t sound like either bragging or self-deprecation. But I now have a craft, and it brings me joy. I’ve been crafting, like, as a verb. Allow me to explain.
“Get a hobby”—rude retort or sound advice?
Out of nowhere, I realized that dried winter foliage is actually pretty fantastic. One day while I was hiking in the open space, a seed head caught my eye, and it was sort of like the day I remembered that poppies exist, were growing wild all around me, and I loved them. It was one of those, “Oh! Of course! Look at this gorgeous thing that was here all along and I forgot to notice!”
So naturally, I began to forage my own backyard, and I swear to goddess, I felt like I was four years old and everything was made of magic. I recruited my youngest child, who is quite artistic and loves all things aesthetic and beautiful. We went on a joyful hunt, clipping and gathering dried foliage and seed heads from the neglected backyard that, despite even one ounce of effort on my part for an entire grow season, still provided me with these wonders.
We got to work creating arrangements, utilizing all the empty pillar candles I kept around for “no good reason” (Ha! Take that, people who criticize ADHD women for the silliness of holding onto useless items!) to create gorgeous displays for my workshop and throughout the house.
It felt like an awakening, and all during the coldest, dreariest, darkest, longest month of the year. The “worst month of the year.” Well, during this dark time of year, I remembered the existence of beauty in a new way. And oh! My oldest taught us how to make vision boards. Whenever she presents us with a project like this, it’s astonishing how seriously we all take it. Do we clap for each other with nearly embarrassing enthusiasm while we each present our finished projects? You already know, babe.
In addition to our dry winter creations, I went to the art museum twice in one month and took my youngest to the symphony. I hung art I’ve been collecting for months in my brand new workshop, found the last beautiful accent items for the space, and put care and effort into making our home beautiful. We’ve also decided we are ready to try to keep plants alive again, and if that doesn’t indicate a massive transformation (that could prove to be rooted in foolish optimism, stay tuned), I don’t know what does.
I took myself on a mini writers’ retreat. I wrote and revised my manuscript and began the Morning Pages practice for The Artist’s Way (which has already been completely transformative) and I let myself sit and stare out at the winter river. While I sat in the screened-in porch, bundled under blankets and huddled by the space heater with my coffee, determined to be as close to nature as the freezing temperatures allowed, bald eagles swooped over me. One of them landed in my tree, and I felt this tremendous sense of peace and connection to a magnificence that transcends words. I know. This is some deep, enlightening shit, you guys.
I feel myself coming back to life in January, my previously self-proclaimed most dreaded month. I feel hopeful. I remember myself. I have this beautiful (and potentially ridiculous; I am still a deeply superstitious being) certainty that everything is going to be just fine. More than fine. Beautiful and joyful, even.
So back to my three-fold January awakening. If I were to embrace the “Eat, Pray, Love” model, I would probably call mine, “Sleep, Play, Love.” That’s pretty good, huh? A work break + winter crafting + remembering beauty and sacred connection. It’s not a bad recipe.
And as I move into the new year, letting go of what needs to be released, composting pain and lessons and old shit to fertilize new projects, I feel clear on what I want to do and where I am going.
That said, here comes the part where I hope my creative friends sit up a little straighter and make a plan to connect with me during this dark, magical winter. Ready?
Let’s create together, shall we?
Here’s what I have going on this month. I don’t want to drone on and on, so click the links for all the relevant info and to get registered.
The first ever HerStories Project Incubator: a 30-day intensive for writers who want to commit to new projects and goals—large and small—in 2025. This month-long experience includes 9 dynamic presenters (I mean, wait until you see these women!!), an online forum with lessons and discussion, co-working sessions, and more. It begins next week—get details here.
An in-person 3-hour essay workshop in my BRAND NEW WRITING WORKSHOP!! It’s this Saturday, so if you live in the Denver/Boulder area, sign up literally this minute, as space is limited and it’s in like three days. Details and registration link for From Page to Stage here. Are you a paid subscriber and want to save 20%? Leave me a comment and I’ll message you a discount code!
Pam and I are offering a 13-week Artist’s Way online community for ANY type of creative person (that’s all of us, you guys.) to find a deeper, even spiritual, practice to reawaken our connection to our own creativity and sense of beauty and joy. It’s going to be GOOD. (Make sure you’re following our Word To Your Mother Substack—paid subscribers save 20% on ALL offerings, including the in-person workshop and individual work!
Michele Theoharris and I are offering a positively delicious two-hour mini-retreat on Sunday 1/12 from 1-3 at Sunny Isle Yoga. She is pure magic, and if you’re a local, you don’t want to miss this. Sound healing, journaling, movement, meditation, reflection, and connection. Book here.
Listen To Your Mother Boulder auditions are now open! The show is Sunday, May 4th, at 4:00 pm, so mark your calendars now!
Want to work 1:1 with me? My paid subscribers save 20% on services. Here is more info.
Wishing you all a transformational January full of new beginnings and a clear path back to your best, most joyful selves.
XOXO,
Steph
Love, love, love all this for you but especially that you treated yourself with good care and got REST
Love this. I am also a person who now does crafts. Been knitting (which I used to do in another life) and now have picked up water coloring very badly. Did a little embroidery over the holidays. I think being a beginner at something when I do not care about the outcome feels like a great antidote to the way I feel about writing right now, when I’m trying to write something bigger. Here’s to creativity in different forms!