Half way through winter
Well folks, we made it to February and are offically only 42 days away from Spring. Also a big hello to some new subscribers!
When I was younger and anyone would ask me my favourite season, I would always say winter. I love the snow, the crisp clarity of those bright blue skies and the way the ground looks under a sheet of perfect frost. I didn’t mind the cold that much either. I’m not too sure when it started to change, but as much as I still like those things, I absolutely would not say winter is my favourite season any more (sorry, Winter, don’t take it personally). I still love the same parts about it, but I am so not okay with the cold - even now writing this under a cosy blanket on my sofa I can feel the chill in my fingers. I also hate the dark. Not because it’s spooky (even though it is), but because it zaps me of any possible energy I would have in the evenings. I pretty much just want to come home and go to bed. So when I got back from work on Friday and realised it wasn’t completlely dark yet I almost leapt for joy.
For the sake of my neighbours though, I didn’t.
Hello February
I hope you’ve had a good start the year? For me, this January didn’t feel anywhere near as long as it has in previous years. I got off to a slow start with some time off, but since going back to work the whirlwind has crept back in a little. That pesky job of mine is, generally, perpetually busy. Thankfully the stress levels are no where near where they have been in the past, but it doesn’t stop me ending up looking like this some days.
So since we’re now ‘officially’ back to reality and well and truly into 2023, how are those resolutions coming? On the whole, I’d probably give myself a 5 out 10. Which, you might think, isn’t a very good score. Honestly though, I’m feeling pretty alright about it. Whilst some elements of those goals, like the daily mindfullness and writing more (I’ll come back to that) have been harder than I’d hoped, I certainly feel like I’m slowly clawing in a better routine that will make those things a bit more achievable as time goes on. I’m also pretty sure I’ve managed to spend a bit less time on TikTok.
Turns out, writing and working full time is kind of tough.
But, Lexie, wasn’t that always going to be the case? Well, yes. I think I had lured myself into a false sense of security whilst I had some time off at the start of the year. I was all fired up and ready to throw myself into this new challenge, conveniently not acknowleding my struggles with self motivation. I told myself I would write on my lunch breaks, despite the fact I don’t get those very often. In the evenings then? See the aforementioned winter struggles. So instead I’ve been gradually trying to create some space in my day that can be protected. I’ve been getting up a bit earlier with each morning, to hopefully get to a point this month where I can manage a good chunk of time before work writing. Especially since I have discovered how long it takes me to edit. I think I’ll talk more on this in the future when I’ve got a bit more under my belt, but boy oh boy did I underestimate that process.
Needless to say I’ll keep you posted, especially since this whole substack is entirely dependent on me sorting myself out and sticking to some kind of production schedule!
Okay, enough whining. It’s actually been a good month in a lot of ways, as much as I perhaps haven’t led you to beleive that so far. Here’s some highlights;
I’ve had the chance to go at a steadier pace, enjoying quiet time just relaxing in the house or going for a walk. That mindfullness I wasn’t doing too well at? This is the one bit I’ve managed to start to do more of - the being in the moment. Notcing the beautiful pink hue of the clouds, really savouring a cup of coffee, that lovely melty feeling of getting into a freshly run bath.
Some great laughs with friends, which also included luring a couple of them into buying their first Magic the Gathering decks.
That crispy winter weather I said I loved? We actually finally got some! Winter in the UK these days is a fickle beast, so to have some mornings waking up to that blanket of frost (despite it being bloomin’ freezing) were great. No snow yet though.
I got Al Haitham in 30 pulls and I didn’t even have pity. If you don’t play Genshin Impact, apologies - but if you do I hope you can appreciate the excitement. Is he still level 1 with a dull blade? Yes he is.
I made shredded tofu bulgogi (one of the plus sides to TikTok) and whilst I don’t like to blow my own horn, it was delicious. The recipe is linked if anyone is curious (personally, I don’t like things too sweet so I put barely any sugar in and added some shredded veggies to pad it out more - if you do add extra ingredients make sure to increase your sauce quantities!).
That’s all for now folks!
Here’s to a February full of routine, early nights and more daylight. Plus hopefully some fun inbetween.
I’m thinking of perhaps doing the odd sporadic, shorter post here and there midweek to share either some resources I’ve been finding useful or something I’ve particualry enjoyed. I’d love to hear if there are any other elements you’d like to see from me as this substack evolves!
Next time, our boy Shea gets a pretty big shock and our female lead enters the stage.