January, routine and what I've been loving.
- Jan 31, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 12, 2024
Hello folks :) Let's take a moment to breathe, slow down and just appreciate the speed of which January has scuttled by! To me, it feels like the last two months have vanished, simply evaporated into thin air. Christmas still feels like yesterday and the thought of February arriving tomorrow is making the prospect of summer and those lighter spring evenings seem almost touchable. Going back into lockdown (numero three!!) has re-introduced my need to keep busy, both mentally and physically, to keep me remotely sane. I have finally come to the realisation that routine, for me, is essential. The need to create some form of a daily routine and healthier habits have been pretty essential during my lockdown days.
My routine typically consists of a morning alarm (usually 7:30am - and yes, I am fully aware that it is weirdly early but trust me it helps) because I'm not good at lying in. I meditate. I move my body; whether that is either going for a walk, yoga or workout. I have a cold shower. Then I begin my day. I try and do this morning routine by 9:30 / 10am, because if I don't then I know I'll either fail to be productive for the rest of the day or negative self-talk and worries trickle into my thoughts. While I'm on the hot topic of building new habits...I recently listened a podcast, featuring two leading health professionals, that said in order to create and sustain healthy, new habits - it is achievable by creating a sense of success and emotional satisfaction, rather than through repetition. This really hit me hard and I came to the realisation that when implementing a change or new habit, make it small not big. Make it something that you know you can achieve, so that when you do it you feel successful. By shifting the emphasis on how you feel, it makes the habit easier to sustain and becomes something that you choose to do each day, because you know how good it makes you feel. I used to think that by repeating something over and over again, it would soon become second nature and easier to do. But this episode totally changed my mind. Here is the bitesize episode, from Dr Rangan Chatterjee's podcast, that I found fascinating ... Podcast Episode.
Anyway, aside from building a manageable routine and creating a new feeling of 'normal' - these long, cold, empty evenings have created the ideal excuse to binge on series, TV and podcast episodes. So, I thought I'd mention some of the things I have loved or would recommend - whether it be a series, a book, a podcast or an article I have read.
Here are some things to keep you busy, like they did for me this month.
tv / series.
The Queen's Gambit (netflix)
- a young girl’s inexorable rise to the heights of international chess prestige
- binge-worthy series with a totally immersive plot (following Beth, a young girl who has a tough start to life, find her passion and intelligence through the game of chess - she encounters struggles, upset and fear along the way)
- overall I found it empowering, emotional, deeply addictive and the perfect escapism
The Undoing (amazon prime)
- wow, wow, wow this had such an incredible cast and plot
- this had me on the edge of my seat the whole time
- an utterly psychologically driven series, a murder mystery staring Hugh Grant and Nicole Kidman and I urge you to watch
Bridgerton (netflix)
- okay, controversial opinion here but I didn't enjoy this as much as I had hoped, especially with all the hype around the release
- definitely binge worthy and the steamy romance narrative entangled within makes it worth the watch
- at times I found the plot rather predictable and slow
films.
Endings, Beginnings (netflix)
- raw, real, beautiful depiction of love and lust and heartbreak
- totally loved this and its slow unravelling of plot as a Los Angeles woman unlocks the secrets of her life, after meeting and becoming romantically involved with two best friends
- starring Shailene Woodley, Jamie Dornan and Sebastian Stan - definitely watch
Rocketman (amazon prime)
- very very late to the party on this but finally got round to watching this and I absolutely adored it
- now completely and utterly obsessed with both Taron Egerton and Elton John
- the music, acting and plot is emotional, tender, up beat, feel good - everything you want from a film
podcasts.
Fortunately - Fi Glover and Jane Garvey
(a frank look behind the scenes with broadcasters, Jane and Fi, as guests from Radio, TV and podcasting share their stories they probably shouldn't)
Feel Better Live More - Dr Rangan Chatterjee
(a podcast by leading GP that aims to simplify health, giving health life hacks, expert advice and debunk common health myths - gives the tools to revolutionise how we eat, sleep, move and relax)
Never Have We Ever - Chessie King and Mat Carter
(raw, uncensored truths or pregnancy as Chess and Mat enter into a new galaxy of parenthood for the first time - funny and feel good)
Prose Before Hoes - Camilla Ackley and Elle Ayres
(covers what both Camilla and Elle are reading, thinking and drinking - a books and pop culture podcast with a little tipple on the side)
Deliciously Ella - Ella and Mathew Mills
(my all time favourite, this podcast brings open and honest conversations around mental and physical health with inspiring guests)
Some of my favourite episodes I've listened to recently ...
the best podcast episode ever, be prepared - it is a long one!
Hopefully these may fill those long days and nights to come in lockdown.
February, let's have you!
armorel x
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