January has a funny reputation. Grey skies, tight budgets, dry Jan, and a strong attempt to make the December pay cheque stretch till the end of the month. With Blue Monday landing tomorrow, the so-called most depressing day of the year, it all feels very on brand.
Normally, I’d be right there too. Feeling the weight of a new year, counting down the days until spring, longer evenings, earlier sunrises and convincing myself that next month will feel better than this one.
But for some reason, this year feels different. I feel… oddly optimistic.
Even the relentlessly rainy London weather hasn’t dampened my mood, which is saying something. And after thinking about it, the only thing I can put it down to is a feeling I haven’t always had in January: excitement.
There’s something grounding about having plans to look forward to. Not in a “my calendar is packed” way, but in a reassuring sense that good things are coming. This year, I have a few dream trips on the horizon, and just knowing they exist has shifted how this season feels.
I’ve also realised I’m approaching the year a little differently. Instead of setting a long list of New Year’s resolutions and hoping for the best, I’ve borrowed a page from my work life and broken the year into manageable quarters. With QPRs (Quarterly Personal Reviews) if you will.
Thinking about an entire year at once can feel overwhelming. Twelve months is a long time to plan for, commit to, and stay motivated through. But three months? That feels manageable. Bite-sized.
So right now, I’m only thinking about Q1. January, February, March. What would make these next few months feel good? What do I want to look forward to? What might carry me through the darker mornings and earlier nights?
For me, the answer is almost always travel. Even if it’s just something small on the calendar, having a trip to anticipate changes how I move through the weeks leading up to it.
And if you’re feeling the January lull too, or simply craving something to look forward to, these are a few places that feel especially right for February and March, and that I’ve loved visiting.
Lisbon 🇵🇹
One of my favourite winter-to-spring cities. Mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and golden light that makes even a simple wander feel special. Perfect for long lunches, viewpoints, and slow days without the summer heat.
Rome 🇮🇹
February and March are such an underrated time to visit. Cooler days, quieter streets (yes, even around the Trevi fountain), and far less queueing for the big sights. Enough space to live your Lizzie McGuire dreams.
Paris 🇫🇷
Still wrapped in winter, but in the most romantic way. Cafés feel especially inviting, museums are unhurried, and there’s something magical about Paris before it fully wakes up for spring. I don’t think there’s ever a bad time to visit Paris.
Amsterdam 🇳🇱
Cosy, walkable, and calm before tulip season begins. Ideal for museum days, stroopwaffel hopping, and early signs of spring along the canals. This is a city I always recommend for the cooler months.
The Cotswolds or the Lake District 🇬🇧
For something closer to home, both feel perfect at this time of year. Quiet villages, long walks, pub lunches, and a book or puzzle by the fire. I can’t think of a better way to spend a long weekend in winter.
If a trip isn’t in the cards in the near future, I can’t recommend hosting enough. I’ve decided to bring back my annual Galentine’s night, something I used to do every year and somehow let slip. Nothing fancy. The best women in my life, a few drinks, snacks to share, and plenty of yapping.
For now, I’m keeping my focus small. Just this quarter. Just the next trip. Just a Galentine’s celebration. Just enough on the calendar to make January feel manageable.
Thanks for being here for week three. See you next week 💌
Tahlia