January feels hella long.

Like, aggressively long.

Like it started in 2024 and refuses to leave.

And now meteorologists are whispering sweet nothings about Armageddon-level snow?

I support it.

Cancel the plans.

If we’re gonna suffer through the longest month known to man, we might as well do it wrapped in blankets with a mug in hand.

So here’s where I’m at right now. Consider this a little life check-in, bestie to bestie, while we wait for January to finally pack her bags.

☕DRINKING

Coffee:
I’m currently emotionally dependent on a cinnamon vanilla medium roast situation. It’s warm and cozy and tastes like you’re drinking a snickerdoodle cookie. (Which is the ultimate cookie flavor tbh.) Yes, it’s the Great Value brand, but honestly still tastes great.

Tea:
Honey ginger tea is my beloved right now.

She’s spicy but calming. She clears the sinuses and the soul. She says, “You might be stressed, but have you tried drinking the equivalent of a chili pepper soaked in sugar?” I usually drink this when I’m fighting off a cold, I’ve talked too much (I work in education, thus I talk all day), or I need to feel like I’m doing something responsible.

📚 READING

January reading has been a vibes-only, no-judgment zone, and I regret nothing. These are all the books I’m currently in the middle of right now:

The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson
I’ve talked about this one in my TBR post, but this one is crazy so far. Again, it’s based off of the Sarah Lawrence College cult where an older man wormed his way into a group of college students’ lives, positioned himself as their mentor, and then systematically broke these kids down emotionally, psychologically, physically, and financially. I’m the middle of this book and it’s CRAZY. Tiffany D. Jackson does not play around.

Only For the Week by Natasha Bishop
This one is cute. Situationship-y. Very “this was supposed to be casual but now feelings are doing parkour.” The perfect palate cleanser when your brain wants romance without emotional devastation.

False Play by Yinn Quirós
Fake dating? Hockey? An asshole pro athlete paired with the team’s PR rep who is not paid enough to deal with his nonsense? Say less. This book knows exactly what it’s doing. So far it’s light, fun, and extremely bingeable.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
I’m rereading this one purely for annotation purposes.

📺 WATCHING

Shows:
Bridgerton Season 2 rewatch
Because sometimes you need corsets, yearning, and chaos. Kate and Anthony live rent free in my brain and I will not be taking questions.

His and Hers
Moody. Intense. Makes you suspicious of everyone. This show is stressing me out but in a good way.

11.22.63
Nothing says comfort show like watching a man go back in time and try to stop the assassination of JFK. Does this say something about me? Probably.

Movies:
Harry Potter Series
This is my official snowy-weekend background noise/comfort marathon. If it’s snowing outside, Hogwarts is on the TV. It’s the law.

🎮 PLAYING

Assassin’s Creed Odyssy
This game has me in a chokehold. Wandering around Ancient Greece. Me, refusing to do the main quest because I’m busy exploring, causing problems on purpose, and stabbing my virtual enemies. Honestly? This is healing.

✍️ CREATING

My five-year-plan.

No, I’m not joking.

Yes, it is color-coded.

Yes, it includes my fantasy series, long-term goals, and a level of optimism that only exists in January.

I’m also deep in drafting my first novel (the first in what will be a 5 book series), which means notes everywhere, timelines that may or may not make sense yet, and me waking up at 4 in the morning with a plot bunny I need to write down immediately.

🚫 AVOIDING

• People who say “new year, new me” unironically
• The news (within reason)
• Overcommitting
• Hustle culture
• Loud negativity
• Anything unnecessary that requires outside pants

Late January is weird. It’s cozy but exhausting. Hopeful but sluggish. But it’s fine. We’re still here. Still reading. Still creating. And if it snows a ridiculous amount, I will simply add another blanket and keep going.

Stay warm. Stay hydrated. Read something that makes you feel alive!