Simply having a wonderful January
January 2, 2019 12:24 PM Subscribe
What are some fun, not too spendy suggestions for making January more special? This year, I want to avoid post-holiday letdown and that "ugh, back to workaday drabness" feeling I always get after New Year's.
This isn't seasonal affective disorder - I live in California where we get nice sunny days year round. It's chilly and damp, but that's about it. I'm just going through a feeling of letdown after the fun and festive time from Halloween to New Year's. It's back to drab, workaday, same-old-same-old and that is just...a big change in mood and not for the better.
I already have some things planned: baking cookies, trying out new recipes in general, going to museums or farmer's markets with friends, discovering new music and books. More suggestions, please! Nothing too expensive (would like to keep it under $50), no overnight travel though day trips are fine. Tell me what you do to make the time from New Year's to spring flowers a bit less humdrum and more fun-drum!
This isn't seasonal affective disorder - I live in California where we get nice sunny days year round. It's chilly and damp, but that's about it. I'm just going through a feeling of letdown after the fun and festive time from Halloween to New Year's. It's back to drab, workaday, same-old-same-old and that is just...a big change in mood and not for the better.
I already have some things planned: baking cookies, trying out new recipes in general, going to museums or farmer's markets with friends, discovering new music and books. More suggestions, please! Nothing too expensive (would like to keep it under $50), no overnight travel though day trips are fine. Tell me what you do to make the time from New Year's to spring flowers a bit less humdrum and more fun-drum!
Best answer: Your profile says you are in the Bay Area - check and see if your library is enrolled in the "Discover & Go" program where you can get free museum admission with your library card. It's been a fun way to discover (ha) new museums and save money.
January is the best time to go to Año Nuevo and see the elephant seals!
Also PSA that seasonal affective disorder can affect people even in CA, at least in Northern CA, due to the fewer total hours of daylight. I use a light and it seems to help (this is a great reminder for me to dig it out of the closet).
posted by rogerroger at 12:44 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
January is the best time to go to Año Nuevo and see the elephant seals!
Also PSA that seasonal affective disorder can affect people even in CA, at least in Northern CA, due to the fewer total hours of daylight. I use a light and it seems to help (this is a great reminder for me to dig it out of the closet).
posted by rogerroger at 12:44 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Pot luck dinner party around March or April (or sooner!). Brings back some of the festive togetherness of the major fall/winter holidays. Potential excuses: Mardi Gras, St Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day.
posted by slateyness at 12:58 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by slateyness at 12:58 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The "super blood wolf moon" is Jan 20/21 - perhaps a viewing party involving fancy hot chocolate either solo or with friends?
Have you already done all the tourist things in your area? Like, the REALLY tourist things - segway tours, duck boats, medieval times (pier 39 if you're in SF) that kind of stuff? Give yourself a day as a tourist in the nearest city, and do all the stuff you'd sneer at a local for doing.
Learn a dance style/routine you don't know. Like... the Thriller choreography, or a hip hop routine, or a line dance. You can practice for 5 minutes a day and see how far you get.
Along those lines, Jan is the optimal time for the "Fresh Start" effect, so a good time to start any skill/practice/project that might have interested you.
More bay area specific - Chinese New Years is in Feb! PARTY!
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 1:05 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Have you already done all the tourist things in your area? Like, the REALLY tourist things - segway tours, duck boats, medieval times (pier 39 if you're in SF) that kind of stuff? Give yourself a day as a tourist in the nearest city, and do all the stuff you'd sneer at a local for doing.
Learn a dance style/routine you don't know. Like... the Thriller choreography, or a hip hop routine, or a line dance. You can practice for 5 minutes a day and see how far you get.
Along those lines, Jan is the optimal time for the "Fresh Start" effect, so a good time to start any skill/practice/project that might have interested you.
More bay area specific - Chinese New Years is in Feb! PARTY!
posted by BlueBlueElectricBlue at 1:05 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Many square dancing clubs are starting classes or doing open house nights! Profile doesn't say where you are in the Bay Area, but El Camino Reelers have a no-experience-necessary night on January 18th. I'm calling intro nights on Thursday nights in Petaluma (7:30 at Hermann Sons Hall). Oaktown 8s have a Sunday class series. Redwood Rainbows is gearing up.
All of those clubs are LGBTQwhatever and straight friendly, and open to solo dancers!
(And there are plenty of others, memail me if you want me to dig for you. Square dancing is not what you did in grade school, and is a worldwide community, danced in English from Japan to Germany, and compelling enough that we fly places to do it.)
posted by straw at 1:10 PM on January 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
All of those clubs are LGBTQwhatever and straight friendly, and open to solo dancers!
(And there are plenty of others, memail me if you want me to dig for you. Square dancing is not what you did in grade school, and is a worldwide community, danced in English from Japan to Germany, and compelling enough that we fly places to do it.)
posted by straw at 1:10 PM on January 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Best answer: It definitely could be seasonal affective disorder, but it might not be.
I really love swing dancing. Lindy Hop is very welcoming to beginners, many social dances have a lesson at the beginning that's an extra $small_cost. You really can have a good time dancing the whole song with just an open pattern.
I also really enjoy fruity summery drinks in the winter. Get a few bags of frozen berries, a blender is optional, add some sprite or cranberry juice or whatever. Add alcohol if you want, or don't. Toss a lime wedge on the rim. For bonus, mash the berries in the bottom of the glass with rosemary or cucumber or ginger, whatever sounds good and looks good at the market.
Are there any hotels near you with fireplaces in the lobby? Many hotels won't complain if you go sit for an hour or so in mid day. Just don't be in the way during check-in and check-out rush times.
posted by bilabial at 1:16 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
I really love swing dancing. Lindy Hop is very welcoming to beginners, many social dances have a lesson at the beginning that's an extra $small_cost. You really can have a good time dancing the whole song with just an open pattern.
I also really enjoy fruity summery drinks in the winter. Get a few bags of frozen berries, a blender is optional, add some sprite or cranberry juice or whatever. Add alcohol if you want, or don't. Toss a lime wedge on the rim. For bonus, mash the berries in the bottom of the glass with rosemary or cucumber or ginger, whatever sounds good and looks good at the market.
Are there any hotels near you with fireplaces in the lobby? Many hotels won't complain if you go sit for an hour or so in mid day. Just don't be in the way during check-in and check-out rush times.
posted by bilabial at 1:16 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Best answer: The Musée Mécanique is a cheap entertainment that you simply must try if you live nearby. You could also try the Chantey Sing at Hyde Street Pier. I find staring at the ocean very refreshing, so anything ocean-adjacent will help. One thing I really miss is walking along the beach near the Cliff House and then heading to the Safeway for one of their pre-packaged fresh cake slices after the sun goes down.
If you like alarmingly-enormous gears and watching mechanics work, you might also like the free Cable Car Museum.
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:51 PM on January 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
If you like alarmingly-enormous gears and watching mechanics work, you might also like the free Cable Car Museum.
posted by blnkfrnk at 1:51 PM on January 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Response by poster: My library is enrolled in Discover and Go, so that is an excellent suggestion! Thank you! These are all great ideas, keep them coming!
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:05 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 2:05 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
I agree with the swing dancing suggestion, but I've brought a bunch of different people into it and have found that it can be intimidating, especially for leaders (usually but not always men) because it's basically an improvisational dance style and people can feel intimidated when they feel like they don't know anything. I'm now actually suggesrting that people interested in partner dance go try out square or contra dancing first- it's far easier to learn how to move with a second person, wihtout any of the pressure of learning to improvise before you have some of the vocabulary to improvise with.
That said, all the Lindy classes I've been to and taken beginners to have been welcoming and friendly and it's a great community.
posted by twoplussix at 2:05 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
That said, all the Lindy classes I've been to and taken beginners to have been welcoming and friendly and it's a great community.
posted by twoplussix at 2:05 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
also, Bay Area- I'm cooking up some ideas for more MeFi meetups. Been chatting with some folks about doing a Books Show And Tell event later in the winter, been thinking about calling a hike event, etc.
posted by twoplussix at 2:07 PM on January 2, 2019 [7 favorites]
posted by twoplussix at 2:07 PM on January 2, 2019 [7 favorites]
Ice skating at a local homey rink near me is only about $10-$15 for about 2 hours of skating (including skate rentals) it’s a fun way to move but also carry over a little of the festiveness
posted by raccoon409 at 2:13 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 2:13 PM on January 2, 2019 [4 favorites]
Best answer: i'm actually sitting in a cafe in Oakland right now with a notebook writing down class schedules and trying to find Stuff To Do for the next few weeks.
Lots of courses pretty much everywhere seem to start next week. I'm looking at a bunch of improv classes based on suggestions in my question about Bay Area meetups a few months ago. There were a number of responses in that thread about group singing events in the area, too, if that happens to be your thing.
I put out a Craigslist activities post looking for a Couch To 5K running partner, and got a ton of responses. Craigslist Activities in this town tends to stay relatively focused on actual 'activities'- we seem to flag and take down the attempts at sex ads pretty quickly (this is an issue in other Craigslist markets in the wake of FOSTA legislation which caused Craigslist to take down it's former dating section). There are tons of people posting about tennis and other sports stuff, and I've seen some posts about crafting, movie-going, and other random stuff.
Meetup.com is a little annoying to use but there are lots and lots of great and very active groups.
posted by twoplussix at 2:15 PM on January 2, 2019
Lots of courses pretty much everywhere seem to start next week. I'm looking at a bunch of improv classes based on suggestions in my question about Bay Area meetups a few months ago. There were a number of responses in that thread about group singing events in the area, too, if that happens to be your thing.
I put out a Craigslist activities post looking for a Couch To 5K running partner, and got a ton of responses. Craigslist Activities in this town tends to stay relatively focused on actual 'activities'- we seem to flag and take down the attempts at sex ads pretty quickly (this is an issue in other Craigslist markets in the wake of FOSTA legislation which caused Craigslist to take down it's former dating section). There are tons of people posting about tennis and other sports stuff, and I've seen some posts about crafting, movie-going, and other random stuff.
Meetup.com is a little annoying to use but there are lots and lots of great and very active groups.
posted by twoplussix at 2:15 PM on January 2, 2019
Best answer: The best things about the Bay Area in January are Sketchfest and local hiking to see mushrooms and waterfalls. For example, the Easy Bay Regional Parks is having a fungus walk Jan. 13. Embracing the things I can only do in January helps shake the bad, dark post-holiday feeling for me.
posted by purpleclover at 2:21 PM on January 2, 2019
posted by purpleclover at 2:21 PM on January 2, 2019
It's sunny and warm enough that walking in the forest is still enjoyable in January. I'm partial to Redwoods Regional and Wildcat Canyon myself. Take an afternoon and explore nature! Sometimes I get in the habit of thinking, "oh, it's winter, better curl up and hermit inside." But really, it's totally fine weather for outdoor activities if you wear a slightly thicker jacket and scarf.
posted by ananci at 2:26 PM on January 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by ananci at 2:26 PM on January 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Best answer: How about some botanical gardens? It might be nice to find out ahead of time some of the plants, and make bingo boards (also including some people-watching things like "tiny child who needs to get home" or "older couple" or "a dude wearing shorts and nike socks pulled all the way up").
I'd also try buying a 10-pack of some stationary that's irresistible to you, and then make it your mission to mail all ten handwritten cards out by (arbitrary date). I did this with nondenominational Xmas cards this year, and something about how much I liked the stationary really helped me put thought and care into what I wrote. I also included a print out of the best (to me) poem I read in 2018. If a whole card is just too much, find some postcards and mail one every day. iirc the national parks have some really gorgeous vintage print postcards (found 'em) but anything that you like, works. It's really something to visit a friend (even a 10 minutes away friend!) and see a postcard you sent on their fridge :)
Also, this may be considered humdrum/worky, but volunteering in your spare time = an excellent emotional return on the investment.
posted by snerson at 2:39 PM on January 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
I'd also try buying a 10-pack of some stationary that's irresistible to you, and then make it your mission to mail all ten handwritten cards out by (arbitrary date). I did this with nondenominational Xmas cards this year, and something about how much I liked the stationary really helped me put thought and care into what I wrote. I also included a print out of the best (to me) poem I read in 2018. If a whole card is just too much, find some postcards and mail one every day. iirc the national parks have some really gorgeous vintage print postcards (found 'em) but anything that you like, works. It's really something to visit a friend (even a 10 minutes away friend!) and see a postcard you sent on their fridge :)
Also, this may be considered humdrum/worky, but volunteering in your spare time = an excellent emotional return on the investment.
posted by snerson at 2:39 PM on January 2, 2019 [6 favorites]
Well, that link didn't take. Here they are: https://www.amazon.com/59-piece-Deluxe-National-Parks-Postcard/dp/B0187NHXKG
posted by snerson at 2:41 PM on January 2, 2019
posted by snerson at 2:41 PM on January 2, 2019
See if there is a chocolate expo and/or other culinary expo in the runup to Valentine's-- I know there usually are by me. You could also have a meetup to taste chocolate-- everything bring some. I'm already shopping for chocolate for a February birthday gathering and it's very cheering.
posted by BibiRose at 2:53 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by BibiRose at 2:53 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
January is when I always double down on planning small, informal gatherings--all the friends I haven't had a chance to see for ages. I've done weekly/semi-weekly game nights, movie nights, and dinner parties (spaghetti night!) in the cold of winter in a sort of "everyone's invited; let me know!" format. I don't usually get a ton of people to any one night, but it's nice to touch base with people outside the rounds of holiday parties.
posted by gideonfrog at 3:37 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by gideonfrog at 3:37 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Thirding swing dance! I’ve danced a little in the Bay Area and they seem to have a decent friendly scene. You could try Lindy in the Park for free and get some fresh air at the same time.
posted by diffuse at 5:30 PM on January 2, 2019
posted by diffuse at 5:30 PM on January 2, 2019
Best answer: My very basic attempt at fighting the post-holiday letdown is to dress up when I go places. My festive outfits aren't specifically Christmassy, so if I am going to a party or event in January I make it a point to dress up more than is totally necessary. It feels like a special occasion, I feel cute, people tell me I look nice - yay!
posted by Emmy Rae at 6:22 PM on January 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Emmy Rae at 6:22 PM on January 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
Best answer: My friend did this cool thing when she turned 30 where she had 12 random things picked by strangers she did, once a month. She did things outside her comfort zone like, getting her nose pierced, making a postsecret postcard (she didn't mail it, but she did post it to her Instagram), learning to cook a new dish, reading a book (and finishing it!), volunteering at a animal shelter, taking a belly dancing class. Those are the ones I remember. It was pretty low-cost, and really fun for her (and us! she asked us to share in most of her new adventures). Maybe you can try something like that? Ask on MeFi for random adventures, and pull them out of a hat and do one a week.
posted by alathia at 7:01 PM on January 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by alathia at 7:01 PM on January 2, 2019 [3 favorites]
Best answer: Fun Cheap SF is a good way to find out about free/cheap things to do - and they tend to be really varied and encourage exploration or trying new things/events. Just pick a day, like for example this Saturday , and try out something you've never done before, like for example, Free Ice Skating Lessons, Caturday at Delores Park, or outdoor yoga in Golden Gate Park.
Wait a minute, that sounds awesome. Now I'm jealous.
posted by Toddles at 9:08 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Wait a minute, that sounds awesome. Now I'm jealous.
posted by Toddles at 9:08 PM on January 2, 2019 [1 favorite]
Keep active and spend time outside is my general strategy for happiness - I've booked a few group trail runs and will be focussing on my speed training by myself. I also love indoor climbing and am looking to do that more. Perhaps a similar thing you'd enjoy?
Plus theatre and live music / comedy outings during the week. Keep busy basically! If bad weather, perhaps a creative or DIY hobby at home?
posted by JonB at 10:16 PM on January 2, 2019
Plus theatre and live music / comedy outings during the week. Keep busy basically! If bad weather, perhaps a creative or DIY hobby at home?
posted by JonB at 10:16 PM on January 2, 2019
Best answer: I read somewhere that (for whatever logic this was decided on), the third Monday of January is supposed to be like, the worst day of the year. Coincidentally, that day is usually a holiday off from a lot of jobs.
I think we should have a holiday in January for this sort of thing. Call it "Blue Monday" or something, get decorations from the dollar store (preferably beachy-Hawaiian if you can find them) and make funky drinks. I can't get anyone else to do this with me so far because my friends here are not drinkers, but it'd be cool if someone did it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:32 PM on January 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I think we should have a holiday in January for this sort of thing. Call it "Blue Monday" or something, get decorations from the dollar store (preferably beachy-Hawaiian if you can find them) and make funky drinks. I can't get anyone else to do this with me so far because my friends here are not drinkers, but it'd be cool if someone did it.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:32 PM on January 2, 2019 [2 favorites]
I'd totally forgotten -- the next lunar eclipse is January 20-21. Yeah!
posted by TrishaU at 11:41 PM on January 2, 2019
posted by TrishaU at 11:41 PM on January 2, 2019
Hmm, I wonder if New Year's resolutions help with this by giving people a project to start and to focus on? A number of the suggestions above kind of get into this - give yourself a fun challenge to work on regularly, at least once a week throughout the month?
posted by eviemath at 6:36 PM on January 3, 2019
posted by eviemath at 6:36 PM on January 3, 2019
Best answer: If you drink tea or coffee, it might be a good opportunity to treat yourself to some of the really good stuff. SF has a lot of wonderful places where you could acquire both.
I find that my day goes faster at work if I'm drinking a delicious special tea, rather than a prosaic one.
posted by spinifex23 at 11:43 PM on January 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
I find that my day goes faster at work if I'm drinking a delicious special tea, rather than a prosaic one.
posted by spinifex23 at 11:43 PM on January 3, 2019 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Also - not to abuse the edit window - I make sure to eat at least one fresh fruit or vegetable a day. It may not seem like a lot, but I find that I feel better after I've eaten something like an apple, rather than a candy bar. And helping keep my physical health up also increases my mental health.
posted by spinifex23 at 11:46 PM on January 3, 2019
posted by spinifex23 at 11:46 PM on January 3, 2019
Response by poster: Thank you, everyone! Loads and loads of great suggestions that will keep me going until the springtime, and that I can suggest to my friends. I went out to lunch with a pal of mine a couple weeks ago and we were both lamenting the "post holiday letdown" and trying to brainstorm things to do. I am going to share this with her, as well.
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:26 AM on January 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by Rosie M. Banks at 8:26 AM on January 4, 2019 [1 favorite]
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So I guess my suggestion is if you have a hankering to do something fun and festive, even though it's not seasonally appropriate, just go for it. No one's gonna stop you.
posted by phunniemee at 12:29 PM on January 2, 2019 [5 favorites]