Well, we made it, we actually got through January. Isn’t it just the longest month?!
Now, if you aren’t new around here then the title of this post will already be quite familiar, but if this is your first time here then firstly welcome and secondly let me just quickly explain what my ‘in a nutshell’ posts are…
I started this series at the beginning of 2019. I thought it would be a great way to get some personal content on my blog and it would also be a lovely collection of memories to look back over. So, every month I wrote a post sharing my highs, lows and standout moments from the previous month.

I recently posted my 2019 highlights where I looked back through all the ‘in a nutshell’ posts from 2019 to pick my best bits, and I was surprised at how many things I had forgotten but which had been important enough to share at the time. This convinced me that it would be a good idea to continue the series this year…my memory must not be what it used to be! Seriously though, I love to share what I have been getting up to, what has made me happy or even sad month to month, and I love having the posts to read back on at the end of the year. I’m hoping you enjoy reading them too!
I’ll put a link to the final ‘in a nutshell’ post from 2019 at the end of this post. That one has links to each one from the year so you can check any out that you may have missed, if you would like to.
So, now that the longest explanation is all wrapped up keep reading to find out my highs, lows, and standout moments for January 2020.

HIGH
Health and fitness. Let me be clear, this was not A New Year’s Resolution…I don’t believe in those, you can read more about that here. Rather, this was something that I have said for years that I wanted to focus on. I wanted to eat better and exercise regularly. I never did it though. Or at least I didn’t do it for long enough. I would get off to a great start for a couple of weeks and then I would fall back into bad habits. This month however, I found the motivation from somewhere and I have done so well! I’ve overhauled my diet so that I am eating regularly and healthily (I tend to be one of those people that eats little, if anything throughout the day and then overeats in the evening…awful I know!) and I have exercised everyday! This may seem like nothing to a lot of people but it’s a massive commitment/achievement for me so I’m really proud of myself. I feel better and I definitely feel stronger, which is just as well because my not so little anymore baby is getting heavier by the day it seems! I’m determined to keep this new lifestyle going, I just hope it remains manageable when I go back to work.

HIGH
Reading. I recently posted the books I plan on reading this year (2020) and I’m pleased to say that I have already finished two of the books! I won’t say which because I have posts coming for both but it’s so satisfying to have already made a dent in the list. This wasn’t the only reading I did either, I got through a few ARC’s as well. I also read a lot to my daughter…does that count? I’m saying it does.

HIGH
Good times. I saw a lot of friends and family over January which was lovely. There was my brother’s birthday, multiple coffee dates with friends, and a random Sunday trip to see my parents, just because. I’m one of those people that loves time to myself, but I get a lot out of socialising also and it was a great month for that. I’m heading back to work in March, so before real life hits and I’m busier than ever I’m trying to squeeze in as much socialising as possible.

LOW
The weather. Rain, rain, and oh yes, more rain. I feel as though there has barely been a dry day all month! I would have loved to have been able to get out more with my daughter, to go on some walks and get some fresh air but the weather has scuppered those plans on more than one occasion! It’s been frustrating to say the least.

STANDOUT MOMENT
Without a doubt the best moment for January 2020 was my daughter mastering the art of rolling…I can’t put into words how cute she looks travelling around! She had already been able to roll from tummy to back for quite a while, and she had managed from back to tummy once but that was it. We practiced daily and eventually it just seemed to click for her and she worked it out. You’d have thought she had just won gold at the Olympics with how I reacted! I should probably remind myself of the saying ‘be careful what you wish for’ however, she’s bound to become much more of a handful now that she is on the move!
And that is all I have for you to roundup my January. The month seemed to go on forever, and yes the weather was rubbish for most of it but my highs far outweighed this and that’s what counts.
How was your month? Any highs, lows, or standout moments that you would like to share? I would love to hear!
Thanks for reading, I hope that you enjoyed!
If you would like to see more of my content then please follow this blog and check out my Instagram and Pinterest pages.
Until the next time…Jess x
Hi Jess, Did you see I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award? https://mentalhealthfromtheotherside.com/2020/02/01/sunshine-blogger-award-2/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I must admit I’ve been awful at catching up on here lately but I will check it out now. Thank you so much for the nomination! It makes my day to hear that you thought of me 😀 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Highs ? In 2019 ? No baby daughter, or baby son, so not even that joy.
Your optimism drove me to look harder, beyond the endless rain…
One first ? Thanks to Greta and Flygskam, the decision never to fly again. Ever.
The night we spent walking round Paris, and the day I realised I really could start a blog.
And a rain-sodden Christmas, indoors, with most of my closest family.
No fights, no sulks, just a wonderfully happy time.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wishing you all the best for 2020! I hope it brings you endless highs 🙂 thank you for taking the comment 🙂
LikeLike
Aaawww, it’s so lovely to hear about your daughter and her rolling 🙂 This is a nice idea Jess, highlighting all the good bits especially. It’s a lovely way of getting to know you a bit more. By the way, did you see your Sunshine Blogger nomination?
LikeLiked by 1 person
She’s all over the place now, it’s so rewarding to watch her exploring, but it’s true what they say that time disappears too quickly! I agree, highlighting the positives is great as a reminder of all the good there is in life, small moments that mean a lot but can be so easily forgotten. I’m off to read the nomination post now, thank you! 😀 x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person