“Because the sparkle sometimes may fade, the sass doesn’t have to.” – What I’ve been chanting to myself the last week.

The holidays are over, the champagne bubbles are flat, and suddenly January feels like the awkward morning after a fabulous party and some poor but very fun choices. I’ve worn pajamas as regular clothes for over a week and can’t remember brushing my hair in the last few days. It’s messy buns all day every day here. I keep staring out at the cold sky wondering if hibernation can be a new career choice. Spoiler alert, it’s not. Today, particularly, has been rough and I decided enough. It’s easy to get lost in the gloom and today I’m pulling myself out.

I decided to create some rituals. As someone with diagnosed ADHD since childhood, a schedule and structure as much as I hate it, is where I thrive. I create rituals, for a lack of better words, for myself. It’s what works for me. So, here’s what I’ve come up with to help me anchor my day in happiness and productivity verse stuck in the grey sad area.

First, I’m starting with morning light rituals. Think sunrise yoga but inside because it’s so cold. Opening all the blinds so it’s blinding. Getting the blood moving in the light. A large part of me really loves to get lost in the dark. It’s cozy and comforting and I end up binge watching something in the dark and could really do it for days if I’m not careful. I’m combating that with immediate light and brightness.

Next, I’m going with 30-45 minute tea and texture breaks. I don’t generally like drinking hot things even in the winter so it’s more of context versus reality for me. Realistically it’ll end up being a smoothie or ice cold water. No electronics. At this moment I’ll either doodle or journal or do some manifesting. Like so many people, I can really get lost in social media. Once I pick up the phone and get on TikTok I am there for a minimum of 30 minutes but usually it’s closer to 45 minutes. I created the perfect algorithm of booktok, funny kids, sassy goats, and places I want to travel to on the west coast. I have about 8 road trips planned already. I really can get lost in it all. Avoiding all electronics keeps me present and in the moment.

After all that it’s time to really move my body. Winter walks. Yes, it’s cold and my nose is going to run like crazy while simultaneously freezing but it’s necessary to get out of my space. As someone who works from home it’s easy for me to not leave for days. While sometimes that’s good and I find comfort in it, with the January blues it’s just not healthy. I need to strut down the street on the sidewalk like the opening credits of Sex and the City and remind myself I am a baddie and find my inner diva. Also reminding myself that snow is just nature’s glitter and cold is the earth’s reset for a fresh start. 15 minutes is all I really need to remind myself that it’s ok to leave my cocoon of comfort. Sometimes comfort means settling and I must get out of that. A lot of times being uncomfortable is just the setting for something big happening.

After that it’s the basics for me. Shower, creating to do lists, checking in with work, and being productive. Maybe later I’ll work on a nightly ritual for me but for now it’ll just be about the morning. January doesn’t have to be a creative slump, it can be my sassiest season yet. When the glitter fades, I don’t have to dim. I can just find a way to glow differently. So, I’m going to bring in the light, doodle to my heart’s content, and move my body so that I can remember that the blues are temporary. My sparkle and sass are permanent. As RuPaul likes to say, “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?”

XOXO,

Savi Monroe