January = Positivity | Creativity

#dailyobservationsonfilm Kodak Portra 400 35mm

Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Are you struggling with January?

I heard someone on the radio earlier refer to the date as 43rd January

January has seemed particularly long this year. I don’t know why, as I don’t usually think about it. In my world where Mother Nature is at the forefront of my calendar, January is usually the middle month of Winter.

If you find the days grey and dreary and your creativity seems to have left the room then this post is for you!

I will happily spend as many hours as I possibly can in my darkroom - experimenting, testing, printing and growing my expertise. I find it such a mindful activity, simply because of the amount of concentration needed to improve at this craft. An added bonus is that I form an even greater appreciation of nature whilst I’m in there - its intricacies, its resilience, its ability to support our life and our wellbeing as we are realising since the pandemic - as I look mother nature in black and white at such enlarged detail.

A few thoughts on staying positive and keeping your creativity flowing when the world outside is grey and wrapped in a blanket of fog and the days short.

1. Embrace the Quiet Intentionally Winter, especially January, offer a special kind of stillness - an opportunity to slow down and focus on personal growth. Use this time to embrace quiet moments = whether through your creative practice and exploration or simply reflecting. This time of inward seeking can fuel your creative ideas and help you connect with the deeper motivations behind your work. Let the quiet days be your source of inspiration.

2. Create a Bright Spot in Your Environment The weather may be grey, but that doesn’t mean your surroundings have to be! Add some colour to your work space - maybe treat yourself to some early flowers from the market or hang your brightest work in your space. These small changes can lift your mood and encourage a fresh outlook on your projects. Surrounding yourself with things that inspire you will keep your creative energy up, even on the dreariest days.

3. Set Tiny, Achievable Goals. Step quietly into the new year. Sometimes, January can feel daunting. The year stretches ahead, and with it comes a whole list of things to do. So, instead of focusing on big, daunting resolutions, break them down into smaller, achievable goals. Start small. Baby steps - these small victories will help maintain a sense of progress and motivate you to keep going.

4. Stay Active, even if it’s only a lunchtime walk Exercise, even in small doses, can be a game changer - for both mental health and creativity. While the grey days might make you want to stay indoors, a brisk walk outside can refresh your mind and spark new ideas. Physical movement encourages blood flow and can help break up mental blocks, making room for inspiration.

5. Lean into New Projects. Experiment. January is a perfect time to experiment and play with no expectations. Starting something new can re-energise your creative spirit. The important thing is not to pressure yourself and simply enjoy the process of learning and creating without expectations.

In the grey days of January, it’s easy to fall into the trap of feeling uninspired and have creative blocks, but by embracing small joys, staying active and making space for quiet creativity, you can turn this time into a period of personal growth and artistic renewal. So, take a deep breath and give yourself permission to create.

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