Winter Blues? 
Not Here! Self-Care & Journaling Hacks to Recharge for February 
January felt like a whole year packed into 31 days—cold mornings, early sunsets, & that post-holiday slump hitting hard. My pockets seemed to stay empty, trying to recover from our family vacation, Christmas, & regular ol adult bills. In true new year fashion, there had to be a little family drama. And the last thing I thought I’d be doing during the 1st month of 2025 was losing my uncle. January has tested my gangsta, & the winter blues were bluesing!
But guess what? We’re not dragging those winter blues into February! #FOH It’s time to shake off the sluggishness & step into a fresh, recharged mindset. How? With a little self-care magic & the power of journaling.
1. Ditch the “Blah” with a Morning Mindset Shift 
Instead of hitting snooze (again), start a new routine. Do whatever relaxes & centers you. You can meditate, read something spiritual, do some yoga, mindfully eat your breakfast or drink a cup of coffee, work out. You can even grab your journal & jot down 3 things you’re excited for today—even if it’s just “coffee, cozy socks, & surviving my inbox.” The list is endless! Setting a positive tone first thing in the morning is a game-changer.
Trust me, switching up my morning routine worked wonders. I used to be the one to get up groaning at 5:15, lay in bed as long as possible, then hop up to get ready at the speed of light to be on the clock (downstairs) at 6. That just made me more tired & have the grumps. Switching to this though, much better attitude (most days, don’t judge me):
- Wake up at 4:30
- Listen to the Daily Jay meditation
- Read my devotionals on 4 apps
- Do a 5 min yoga morning stretch
- Review my top 3 priorities for the day
- Recite my affirmations
- Work out (3-4 days a week)
- Chill until it’s time to clock in at 7
2. Cozy Up Your Self-Care Routine 
Winter is the season of hibernation, so lean into it! Create a simple evening ritual & include anything to winds you down. Once again, it’s whatever you choose for however long you want. My main go-to is journaling so I can let it all out & leave it on the page. Been doing it for almost 15 years.
To pair with my morning ritual, it was only right that I do a nighttime one. With a mental draining job (at times), a marriage, a flock of kids, a business, & a host of other things, it was much needed. This is mine:
- Read at least 1 chapter of the Bible
- Pray
- Track 1 thing I did today for self-care
- Write my main affirmation, top 3 priorities, & a few optional tasks for tomorrow
- Block out times for tomorrow in my planner for my to-do list & check off what I accomplished today
- Put my journal to use
- Shower (preferably my candlelight but not every night)
- Do a wind down yoga session
3. Move Your Body, Move Your Mood 
Feeling stuck? Shake it off—literally. Whether it’s a dance party in your kitchen, a quick stretch, or a winter walk, movement clears mental fog. Afterward, journal how you feel & track your mental health & self-care progress. You might just surprise yourself.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to understand the value of being active. I went from “I’m allergic to exercise” to “let me get this workout done” over the last couple of years. With a job that has me glued to a desk 8-12 hours each day, I have to prioritize moving more. Don’t get me wrong, there are weeks that I haven’t hit my 3 workouts per week goal, but I give myself grace.
4. Plan Your February Glow-Up 
It’s time to put a plan in place for February. We ain’t carrying any negativity into the next month. Grab your journal & map out small, feel-good goals for next month. Less pressure, more intention. Try: “One self-care habit I want to prioritize in February is…” This way, you’re walking into the new month with purpose.
I’ve already set goals for the year that I break down into smaller ones each month. I try not to overwhelm myself with them but don’t allow myself to slack off either. Every year, every month, every day, every hour, every minute, & every second counts & is an opportunity to glow up.
5. Gratitude: The Ultimate Mood Booster 
The fastest way to lift your spirits? Gratitude. End your day by listing 3 things you’re thankful for. Even on the gloomiest days, there’s always something—like the fact that January is almost over!
That’s one non-negotiable for every evening for my routine. Every day I force myself to think of & write down things I’m grateful for. We take so much for granted, but when you take time to really reflect on your life, you’ll find so many things to be thankful for.
Winter blues don’t stand a chance when you’re intentional about your mindset & self-care. Grab your journal, light a candle, & let’s make February feel like a fresh start! It’ll prep you for our next live journaling session on February 15th at 10am on Instagram! 
