Forbidden love: Why I ❤️ January

May be it’s because I’m a control freak.

May be it’s because I didn’t like Christmas this year.

May be it’s because I’m a Londoner.

Sorry, I’m not, that’s just a song.

But I love January. Mainly because it gives you all the choices that December takes away.

December and Christmas happen to you, you don’t really have much of a say in the matter. Yule becomes a deadline that everyone but step in line for — group meet ups, office celebrations and family reunions. Presents must be bought, drinks drunk and turkey eaten.

Spontaneity doesn’t get a look in.

Whereas in January there are no obligations, no deadlines, a load of smoked salmon on special offer, and new plans to be made.

You can forget about what happened last year and recreate something better for the next. There are 12 whole months to fill, and for now at least, they’re all to play for. It’s up to you to plan your holidays, start new hobbies and imagine who you could become.

But tell anyone else you love January and they look at you funny.

For most people it’s a no drinking, new gym membership, no-fun zone. There are 2 hours of daylight, it’s permanently cold and rains all the time.

Then there’s that story the media get their knickers in a twist over — the Most Depressing Day of the Year.

Blue Monday hits us on 15 Jan this year. So called because it’s down to a formula that combines the weather, the amount of time elapsed since we were last paid, and the time most new year’s resolutions will have taken to fail.

It’s not even a real thing — it started as a PR invention and is now an annual event.

Every single year this gets trotted out and just when everyone’s already feeling glum. So I get it. January is cruel.

However, as a lover of the Great Indoors, I’m allowed to like it. It provides the perfect excuse for nesting down in front of a fire (or radiator) wearing 2 pairs of tights with a good book, and pile of reduced smoked salmon.

And that’s where you’ll find me until March when everyone else will be skipping about looking forward to spring and summer. Long days, light nights, outdoorsy, carefree fun… 😫

Any tips on surviving this gratefully received!