January can be good
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This week—while bopping around Disneyland, slurping Dole Whip, and gleefully going above and beyond my step goals—I’m embracing nobody’s favorite month (January, that is).
New year’s resolutions are kind of a nothing burger in my mind (I actually find fall’s refreshing back-to-school vibe a better time for a lifestyle spruce-up). Still, I’m feeling optimistic about the new calendar year.
Have you heard of Blue Monday? Some people reckon the third Monday in January is, statistically, the most depressing day of the year—due to failed resolutions, dreary weather, a comedown from the holidays, etc., etc.
Understandable, but not inevitable. January can be good.
Here are actually good things to make it so.*
Get your morning drink right
Every adult needs a morning drink. Whatever that is for you, elevate it with the right tools, ingredients, drinking vessel, and ritual.
For me, it’s the xBloom single-serve pour-over coffee maker. She’s expensive, but you’re paying for quality, convenience, and a clever, innovative design. I appreciate that all brewing happens on the outside, so there’s nearly nothing to clean in the inner workings.
I like an extra-large, 20-ounce mug. I add a scoop of this protein creamer and a teaspoon of ghee, then combine everything with a few zzzt-zzzts of a mini hand mixer. And I top it with a squirt of canned whipped cream, so sue me.
“You better [walk], b*tch”
Nordic countries, which have very little daylight in the middle of winter, are among the happiest. One of their secrets is daily walks outside.
You may need a down coat (Orolay’s prices are really reasonable for real down fill). Or maybe a reliable rain jacket, like this cute, modern cut from Quince.
Listen, slim sneakers might be in, but don’t f*ck around with your walking shoes. Thick-soled and chunky are best when padding the pavement. I’m fond of Vionic because every pair has built-in orthotics.
For steps tracking, I’m into the Whoop and am eyeing the Oura ring. I like my Fitbit Luxe, though it’s sadly discontinued. Plus, I’m not trying to push another screen on you, especially as I’m about to make the case for TV in the bedroom.
Optimize TV
Unabashed opinion: Watching TV is one of the greatest human pleasures, and if we’re honest, a cultural education.
I like to ask people about their boob-tube habits, and recently, a few told me they wish they had a better setup at home. Or that they love watching TV in bed in hotels but resist getting one for their own room. There’s this funny shame about putting TVs in certain rooms (or perhaps pride in not having them).
No screens before bed is a solid tip for getting good sleep, no doubt. But lots of folks conk out quite efficiently (thank you very much) with a mellow show playing—like maybe old Friends episodes you know so well that you can close your eyes and picture the scenes in your head while listening to the dialogue (🙋🏻♀️).
Your TV’s sleep timer is your friend.
More to the point, I believe in investing in a good TV setup. It makes indoor winter time more enjoyable.
To be sure, televisions are ugly, and making them a focal point of a room can be a design mistake. That’s why I have the Samsung Frame. In the above photo of my bedroom, the Frame (leftmost) is part of a gallery wall and hardwired to keep cords out of sight.
(The Hisense CanvasTV is a similar idea for a lower price.)
Lean into nourishing cosmetics
Winter skin and hair crave moisture.
This month, I’m reaching for KaramMD’s Enrich balm, a golden ointment-like cream that quenches a thirsty complexion and leaves you looking like a dewy dumpling. (For the record, I’ll never recommend a product with such a steep price tag unless I fervently believe in it.)
This serum from the Inkey List is also clutch. It calls on the rising-star ingredient ectoin to deliver generous hydration while safeguarding your skin from stressors.
For my hair, it’s this overnight treatment by Kérastase. I’m honestly blown away by how the light, non-greasy formula gives me a soft, manageable, shiny mane—simply better hair—by morning. It’s crazy, guys.
Uggs, OK?
I love what Ugg is doing with its StreetScape line. The lug soles and rubber-dipped bottoms feel like a fresh (and more weather-friendly) take on the classic. The men’s Ultra Mini is cool, too.
Find your winter uniform
Riding the white-crewneck-under-a-sweater train? Consider a kids’ T-shirt, like these cheap 100% cotton ones (I get size L).
As for the sweater, I stand behind Everlane’s alpaca crew or Quince’s $50 cashmere.
*Some products with affiliate links might earn me a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What I’m reading lately:
Vladimir, a novel by Julia May Jonas
Los Angeles Times | Google is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
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