January Is Nearly Over — And That’s Not a Bad Thing

January is almost behind us.
And if you’re like me, you might quietly admit that it’s the one month of the year you like the least.

Every January arrives loaded with expectation. We’re encouraged — sometimes pressured — to set ambitious New Year’s resolutions: change how we eat, move more, lose weight, overhaul our routines, become a “better” version of ourselves overnight. By the time the month ends, many of us feel we’ve already failed, setting a negative tone for the rest of the year before it’s even properly begun.

Add in the UK weather — wet, grey, cold, and often relentlessly dull — and it’s no surprise that January can feel heavy, draining, and uninspiring.

For women in peri-menopause and post-menopause, January can feel even harder.

When January Meets Hormonal Change

Hormonal fluctuations can affect energy, sleep, mood, motivation, joint health, and mental clarity. Dark mornings, short days, and cold temperatures can amplify symptoms like fatigue, low mood, stiffness, and brain fog.

Yet January often asks us to do more — more discipline, more restriction, more effort — at a time when our bodies may actually need more rest, nourishment, and kindness.

If January hasn’t felt productive or positive for you, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It may simply mean your body was asking for something different.

The Good News? January Is Nearly Over

There are only a few days left.

And rather than writing January off as a “bad month” or a missed opportunity, it can help to see it for what it often is: a transition month. A time of slowing down, recalibrating, and surviving winter — not transforming your entire life.

Which brings us to February.

A Gentler Reset for February

February doesn’t come with the same pressure as January, and that can be a gift. Instead of dramatic resolutions, it’s a chance to ask more supportive questions:

• How do I want to feel this year — not just look?

• What would support my hormones, energy, and mood right now?

• What small, realistic changes could make daily life feel easier?

For women navigating peri- to post-menopause, sustainable health is rarely about extremes. It’s about working with your body rather than against it.

That might look like:

• Prioritising protein and regular meals to support blood sugar and energy

• Choosing movement that feels supportive, not punishing

• Focusing on sleep quality and recovery

• Managing stress more intentionally

• Letting go of all-or-nothing thinking around health

These aren’t dramatic goals — but they are powerful ones.

Making February Count (Without Pressure)

February doesn’t need to be about perfection or big overhauls. It can simply be about alignment — aligning your habits with the stage of life you’re in now, not the one you were in 10 or 20 years ago.

Progress at this stage of life is often quieter:

• feeling more stable energy

• fewer crashes

• better recovery

• improved confidence in your body

And that progress absolutely counts.

A Different Way to Start the Year

Health and wellbeing, especially through hormonal change, is not a race that begins on 1st January. It’s an ongoing relationship with your body — one that evolves over time.

So as January draws to a close, perhaps the question isn’t “Why didn’t I stick to my resolutions?” But instead:

What do I need now — and how can February support that?

Your goals, dreams, and aspirations are still there. You haven’t missed your chance.
Sometimes the strongest start is simply choosing to begin again — gently.