I wanted to share a very important reminder with all the inevitable pressures of January:
How you look is the least interesting thing about you.
I remember chatting with a friend about 10 years ago. There was some latest diet trend I was trying and I was telling her all about it. Her response:
‘Jo, this chat is super dull, can we talk about something else.’
I absolutely loved her honesty. So, we abruptly changed the topic to important things – like having a laugh, chatting about our passions, adventure, family, travel plans – basically anything but our bodies. I still remember this chat. It was refreshing.
There was a funny quote floating around social media over Christmas:
‘I’m not sure what is more terrifying right now, taking a lateral flow test or weighing yourself’.
It made me laugh but also question, why would you even want to weigh yourself? Fair enough, you may have eaten a bit more than usual but cut yourself some slack, we are allowed to enjoy our holidays without that pressure. I want to remind you to be kind to yourself this month and most importantly don’t forget to have fun. Fun is one of the most beautiful states you can be in because that is the stuff that lights up your eyes and makes people feel something. When you are having fun, you are like a beautiful sunset, you don’t need a filter.
Perhaps you want to set new goals and there is nothing wrong with that. Goals are great to keep us motivated. I love it when I do things that I know will be good for me like taking time to move my body, stick some tunes on, jump in a cold plunge, get out in nature. Sometimes we do need to push ourselves for our health and that can be hard on the days we lack motivation. But never feel guilty about the memories you made in December. Be thankful for those times. Be thankful for those meals and for the days you gotta chill on the sofa and watch festive movies. Be thankful if you had time to relax. Be thankful for the laughs.
This week, I kicked off my first online mastermind session of the month, how to beat the January blues and wake up the mojo. I have been super touched from the messages I have had since this. I know that motivating people in January can be a challenge! We have been so conditioned to think that January is the ‘Monday’ month. Even the legend Roald Dahl wrote: ‘If I had my way, I would remove January from the calendar altogether and have an extra July instead’. The experiences we have in January are just over a 12th of our life. That’s a pretty massive deal. I encourage you to make the most of each day in your own unique little way. January can be merry and bright too. Sometimes we just need to get a little creative. I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be spending my life wishing it away. So often we are encouraged to write off a day, a week, a month or perhaps even a year. What I’ve found is that when we let go of attachment in terms of how life is ‘supposed to be’ and start to challenge learned behaviors , there is so much simple joy to be had in every day, in every season. Even when life gets really tough. The tea kettle is always up to its neck in hot water, yet it still sings. Looking back at some of the hardest moments in my life, there was still music. I remember being in hospital in early 2020 and so desperate to get out but something inside me knew I had to keep singing. I like to think this is partly inspired by my amazing Mum, who sang through the night when she was giving birth to me. She was alone most of that night as Dad waited on a babysitter to come and watch my brothers. Singing was the best medicine. January may be colder and darker but the birds still sing. I encourage you to make a list of 20 things that you are thankful for this month. I’ll go first.
I am thankful I get to walk my kids to school.
I am thankful I am not homeschooling like this time last year.
I am thankful for friends and family.
I am thankful for my health.
I am thankful for beautiful winter sunsets and sunrises that I have enjoyed.
I am thankful for walks in nature.
I am thankful for cosy blankets, fires and nice scented candles.
I am thankful for laughter and the shows I have watched or books I have read that have made me laugh. I am thankful for the people who have made me laugh.
I am thankful for the laughs I have with the kids and the stories we share together in bed each night.
I am thankful for my comfortable bed.
I am thankful for the snuggles I had last night with my son when we watched a full movie under a cosy blanket.
I am thankful for hot baths and showers.
I am thankful for ice cold plunges that wake up my mojo, even quicker than the runners high.
I am thankful that I can cook and enjoy old and new recipes.
I am thankful for the new music I have heard this month.
I am thankful for artists who work hard to inspire us.
I am thankful for the NHS.
I am thankful for kindness.
I am thankful for you taking the time to read this.
I am thankful for all those who have been through or are going through tough times and still try their best to light up the world in their own unique way. So thank you for the little things you do that you don’t even realise. All those wee small acts of kindness that you may think go unnoticed. They make a huge difference. It’s also important for me to add to this that sometimes those small acts of kindness should be self kindness depending on where you are at.
I am thankful for all those who have been through or are going through tough times and still try their best to light up the world in their own unique way. So thank you for the little things you do that you don’t even realise. All those wee small acts of kindness that you may think go unnoticed. They make a huge difference. It’s also important for me to add to this that sometimes those small acts of kindness should be self kindness depending on where you are at.
I would love to hear some of yours. Drop me a line or tag me @jojofrasermojo on social or email me – mummyjojoblog@gmail.com
Jojo Fraser is an award-winning author, podcaster and keynote speaker, dubbed as ‘the Queen of positivity and a kindness advocate. She is a Tedx speaker and a regular contributor on BBC radio. Jojo is known for normalising discussions around our mental and spiritual health, making it accessible and relatable to all. She has quickly grown a reputation for having a huge impact even on the most sceptical of people.
