Must Have January Survival Kit

January is always that time of year when you feel optimistic about what the year has to hold but at the same time, it's a long ass month that can be tiring and draining on your resources and time. I know that in January I always start out feeling happy but within a few days get the January blues and feel pretty crap.  With that said, I have put together a "Must Have January Survival Kit" that is helping me to beat the blues.

A Diary
Getting your life organised is likely to be one of your new years resolutions, so go to the shop and buy one of those cheap 2016 diaries (Mines was £2 from Card Factory). I have spent hours going through it and writing down birthdays and things I have to do. I also write down a few things that I want to do on a weekly basis, so for example in the "notes" section at the weekends, I write down things such as "check out summer holidays" or "Take a bubble bath with your new Lush products". It gives you a chance to refocus your mind and gives you something to look forward to.
A Playlist
Music literally changes your mood from song to song so a must have for breaking in the new year is a good playlist. Try filling your playlist full of songs that give you good memories.  Uplifting feminist songs always make me feel like a lioness by the end of the song so I play those songs (Katy perry roar, destiny's child) when I'm feeling bad about myself or some boy drama.
A New Challenge
I picked up a 6 week challenge type mindfulness book where it sets you different tasks each day and week for mindfulness.  I'm easily distracted and worry a lot so have been recommended mindfulness by a few people. I've only just started the book and I must say its helping me more than I thought it would. It's the fact that I have something new to do that's helping more than anything else so whether you want to learn to talk Spanish or go from couch potato to Olympian then find a new challenge to suit you.
A Notebook
This might sound really simple but one of the most therapeutic things I do is make lists and make future plans. It gives me time to let my imagination wander. Now and again, I come up with a few great ideas of things I'd love to do which in turn gives me something to look ahead to.
Water
Cliché? Absolutely! But it works. Winter is full of bugs and let's be honest, we didn't exactly eat as well as we could have over Christmas. By drinking more water, you'll feel much fresher and cleansed. Hydration can do wonders for your mood as well so drink up!
That's my January survival kit. What would you add to it? I'd live to add to the list so let me know in the comments below.
H x