As I write this, I'm bombarded with the media telling me that today is officially the most depressing day of the year - Blue Monday. It's a Monday, it's still far from pay day, it's cold, it's dark - but for some reason I'm not feeling blue. For the first time I'm actually enjoying January because I'm not fighting what January wants me to do.
After the excesses of December, which now seem to take over the whole month, not just Christmas, I have actually found myself craving my own company, reading books, catching-up on films I haven't seen yet and focusing on eating healthily and moving more.
Most importantly, the 'to do' list that never seems to get done is fast diminishing. Things I've had on my hated 'padmin' (personal admin) agenda for months have been done faster than the time it's taken me to prevaricate over them on a daily / weekly basis.
At work, there have been some changes, but this is the best time of year for those changes to happen. Change doesn't have to be a bad thing and it's particularly welcome when you have the freedom and time to make decisions about strategy and planning for the year ahead.
January for me is now the reboot month. I didn't make any big New Year's resolutions, for me it's now the little things that count. Instead of deciding something arbitrarily (probably with a hangover) on 1 January, I'm taking the time to hibernate, refocus, plan exciting adventures and, most importantly, I'm letting my mind wander.
I'm already looking forward to savouring Spanish food in San Sebastian next month, celebrating my birthday (hopefully) with Wales beating England in the Rugby 6 Nations, the inspiring Advertising Week event in March, Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in June, the Rugby World Cup in October and the return of Star Wars in December.
Rather than forcing other ideas and plans, having a quieter month is allowing what I really want to do this year to gradually come to the forefront. There's no rush to plan everything and I'm hoping I can hold on to this general feeling of relaxation and spontaneity throughout the year.
I'm not pretending this virtuousness will last the whole year, but I'm hoping it will last for what has turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable month. I also hope I'll again feel reflective at the start of 2016 and appreciate that the month of January set me up for a great 2015.