14 Little Things You Can Do If You're Feeling Kind Of Crappy That It's January Now

    New year, slightly better you.

    Jasmin Nahar
    by Jasmin Nahar

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Christmas and New Year's Eve are over, you've optimistically bought a new planner, and the start of going back to work and leaving behind your short-but-sweet break means January is kind of the worst. Here are some pick-me-ups to try if you're feeling a bit bogged down by it all!

    1. Re-think your after-work routine and tweak it so that it's actually relaxing.

    Andrea Hickey / BuzzFeed

    Maybe get all the boring stuff (taking your makeup off, preparing food for dinner) done as soon as you get in so you can enjoy the evening totally unburdened. Or conversely, take half an hour to have a tea and listen to a podcast so you can decompress before doing things.

    2. Take yourself out on a date.

    Andrea Hickey / BuzzFeed

    If you're someone who feels uncomfortable doing things alone, it doesn't have to be a big thing like dressing up and heading to restaurant. Take yourself to a new café and have some cake and tea, or go to the cinema one evening after work.

    3. Budget a bit of money aside for small expenditures that cheer you up.

    kyle @itsdjluigi

    The problem with “treat yo self” is that I don’t know how to stop. I had a bad day in April and I’ve been treating myself ever since

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    Everyone feels a bit broke in January after all that Christmas spending, but if possible put aside a small bit of money to treat yourself to something nice – whether it's a new book to read or a manicure.

    4. Plan some "do nothing" time with a friend.

    Speaking of the whole being broke thing, you may not feel up to doing anything remotely costly but it doesn't mean you can't be social if you want to be. Invite a friend around to watch a Netflix show together, or just get some snacks and take turns venting to each other.

    5. Stockpile a few mood-lifting movies to watch in your downtime.

    Marisa Patrinos / BuzzFeed

    Things get taken off streaming services all the time so chances are that movie you love might not be there when you actually feel like watching it. It's relatively cheap to get some DVDs of movies you enjoy and then you can just put them on when you want to watch something that'll make you feel good without the stress of trawling through hundreds of film options. Plus watching an old favourite film can feel a bit more satisfying than watching ten episodes of a show while not really focusing.

    6. Up your breakfast game.

    7. Give yourself a little thing each day to actively look forward to.

    Dami Lee / BuzzFeed

    Sometimes at the start of the year you get stressed out by the big stretch of time ahead of you in which to ~make memories~. And while the big things are important, have a little thing to look forward to like a coffee with a friend or the cake you're going to try and bake. Having momentous high points in a year feels great, but realistically those won't happen every single day and that's where the smaller stuff comes in.

    8. And make a "selfish slot" in your week.

    If you live with a big family or are super-busy, you might find that you're often going to work, coming home to do chores and obligations, and then a whole week goes by where you have had no real time to yourself. So if possible, make some time that's 100% for you and even put it in your planner if you have to. Whether it's running a bath or going to a yoga class, take some time to do things that are completely for you and nobody else.

    9. Make your working space a little nicer.

    10. And make your home surroundings more cheerful.

    11. Do some exercise that doesn't necessarily feel like exercise.

    Flo Perry / BuzzFeed

    Okay I know you're thinking "dragging myself to the gym doesn't sound like a pick-me-up at all!" and that's a fair point. But going for a bike ride on a Saturday morning or a brisk walk bundled up in a coat will make you feel a bit more awake and replenished if nothing else.

    12. Spend some time planning the ideal trip you'll take later in the year.

    Annie Daly / BuzzFeed

    Having just got back into the swing of things at work, it's unlikely you'll be looking to book a holiday ASAP. But it's a good time to indulge in planning your travels, perusing ideal AirBnbs, and getting an idea of what you'll be using your vacation days on this year.

    13. Change when you do your boring and exciting things.

    Loryn Brantz / BuzzFeed

    If you save all your chores for Saturday morning, do them on Friday nights instead. If you spend lots of time looking forward to your Friday evening plans, make some plans on a Wednesday night. Part of feeling kind of crappy at this time of year is the drudgery of an old routine, but this will at least mix up what you're doing so that you're not dreading the same few days every week.

    14. Use those nice things you keep saving for special occasions.

    Marika Popandopulo / BuzzFeed

    Burn your nice candle, wear the skirt you think you need an "occasion" for, and use your fancy bath stuff that is reserved for an undecided event. If not now, when? This is as good a time as any to enjoy your nice things, and just because we're meant to enjoy ourselves in December, doesn't mean there's a ban on more enjoyment once a new year starts.