Happy January! Wishing you a happy 2024, all month long.
That cold, gray, Illinois January hits hard, especially once the last of the holidays are packed away and pushed behind us. So let’s keep those New Year vibes going—January should be fun!
Celebrate 2023
If you didn’t take time to reflect on the previous year, do that before February comes around. Celebrate the wins, big and small: Did you buy a house, get a promotion, or read 50 books? Did you learn a new hobby, exercise consistently, go on a vacation, or make a new friend? Don’t sell yourself short—any growth is worth acknowledging!
Make a plan for 2024
Have you set any goals for the next 12 months? Set yourself up for success by making them positive and attainable—the more specific the better: Save $20 more a week (instead of “spend less”), take more walks (instead of “lose weight”), or read 20 minutes a day (instead of “scroll less”).
And if you have any big aspirations for 2024—like renovating the kitchen or moving across the country—be sure to map out small, bite-sized pieces to tackle throughout the year.
Visit a museum (for free!)
January in Chicagoland is ideal museum season. Illinois residents can visit tons of places for free:
· Botanical gardens are free all year long
· Art Institute of Chicago is free on weekdays through March 22, 2024
· Field Museum is free on Wednesdays throughout January
· Museum of Contemporary Art is free on Tuesdays
Plan the garden
Nothing can get you in the mood for spring quite like flipping through a seed catalog! Take a housebound day to dream about flowers and squash so you’ll be ready to plant when the deep freeze breaks.
Visit the library
You don’t have to spend money to get out of the house: Libraries are like bookstores and mini museums with built-in entertainment for kids—but free! Pick up a latte and make it a date with a good book or a special someone (bonus points if your library has a fireplace). Meet a friend and browse the stacks or the latest exhibit, or take the whole fam for a change of scenery—many libraries even have toys and games that can be borrowed, so you can take home the fun!
Make soup
How’s this for a delicious challenge: Make a batch of soup every day this month and never repeat a recipe. Dig in with these 65 winter soups.
Play outside
Sunshine and exercise are especially important in the dead of winter, so don’t forget to bundle up and get some fresh air this January. Skate, cross-country ski, walk, run—whatever sounds fun and gets your body moving.
Plan a party
Nothing beats the winter blues like gathering friends and family: Host a Superbowl or valentines party next month (and call us for custom party props!) and boost those endorphins with hugs and snacks and laughs.