Quiet Time

Kiasma Museum, Helsinki
There’s something about January I appreciate.

backstory: Besides the beautiful landscape, there’s something about January my brain associates with quietude. Even without the usual holiday frenzy nowadays because of the pandemic, my body and mind still crave for January downtime. Visiting a museum or curling with a book entices me more than actually getting things done.:) Is it only me? What are some of the fun things you do in January or find beautiful about the month?

p.s. Throwback pic from Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art in Helsinki.

Khaya Ronkainen
Khaya Ronkainen is a writer, poet and creative professional. Her blog focuses on all things poetry and creative nonfiction.

25 Comments

  1. Oh yes, Khaya, I love January. This first full month of winter does bring a calm and cleansing newness. I so enjoy the slowing down of winter. Lovely post 💙

  2. I read page turner novels. I watch movies that I think will be Oscar contenders. I drink a lot of tea!!

  3. I apologize if this hits twice because I got an error message….I read page turner thrillers, I watch movies I think will be Oscar nominated, and drink lots of tea

  4. January has been a bit of a whirlwind this year, Khaya, but usually I like love the deep breath that January brings. This year, that will come in February. 😀 Enjoy the quietude, my friend.

  5. Yes, the cleansing newness. I haven’t thought about that. Thanks Natalie. I’ve been enjoying your fun filled posts too. 😀

  6. Oh, nice! I’d especially love to hear your recommendations of those Oscar contenders. And here’s to drinking a lot of tea. 🙂

  7. I’ve never thought about it, but I guess that it can be said that January brings a rest from the madness. Even when we don’t fully partake in the holiday insanity, it is nice to see other people calm down, life getting back to usual, a rest… until the spring.

  8. Even though we can begin anything during anytime of the year, January is special because it really is a new beginning. We can choose to begin a project or self-improvement something or another in January.

  9. I think my mind and body are trying to tell me to hibernate through January. I keep trying to be productive and engaged, yet the depressive hole sucks me back in. Perhaps I need to stop fighting the rhythm.

  10. Sounds like there’s a quietude to your January reminiscent of the snow sound dampening that occurs after a winter storm…where a sense of calm comes by naturally. Ahhh

  11. Khaya, you write with warmth and tenderness in your post about the month of January and within your words I sense the quietude you seek and achieve. I enjoy returning the house to its pre-festive self, packing away with the memories from this holiday season and those before it flashing like film sequences in my mind, I love the frosty mornings where the sunlight sparkles on the ice and the freshness is literally breathtaking. The dull damp days of the month are best for hunkering down in the warmth and light, reading, writing, ‘cinema’ weekends at home! sending peace and tranquility to you. xx ❤️

  12. Aside from healing up from some injuries, I am using January for taking stock of what went well and what did not in the previous year, and making adjustments. Signs of the new year’s new life are everywhere now, especially at this time. Wandering through seed catalogs, sky watching, noting the comings and goings of birds and wildlife top my list of enjoyable activities, along with good long naps to recharge the batteries run down in the previous year.

  13. We’re collectively exhausted, I think. A rest is much appreciated, at this point, more so as I’m still figuring out what 2022 has to offer than continue in the footsteps of its predecessors. Wishing you a restful time, Maga!

  14. True that, Kathy. January is a new beginning but I also like the fact that one can begin anything, anytime. It takes the pressure off, more like starting again the next Monday. 🙂

  15. I’m sorry to hear about depressive hole. It sucks and is a serious drag!! It seems, it wants to be part of the furniture in my home too… 🙁 But I think you’ve got it right with trying to fight the rhythm. Please listen to your body and mind, and rest. <3

  16. I’m learning to treasure the “ahhhs” between the storms, until storms themselves run out of rain… Hopefully, one day that calm will come naturally. And oh, I just got my next six-word memoir from your comment. 🙂 <3

  17. The sense of quietude is proving to be elusive, nowadays. Just when I think the storm is over, it starts again. But as I responded to Laura’s comment, I’m learning to treasure the “ahhhs” between the storms. But as I read your comment, I’m grateful for the calm it brings with its vivid and beautiful images of your January, as well as well wishes. Thank you, dear Annika. Love back at you! <3

  18. Your January sounds both practical and full of simple joys. Taking stock is always a good thing to do, it allows for adjustments going forward. But how I envy you for new life already as well as noting comings and going of wildlife, at this time of the year! It sounds like spring already, in your world. Enjoy the season, Lavinia. I also really like that you are prioritising yourself by setting time aside to heal, and those power naps are needed than ever before.

  19. Where I live we do not have a winter though there is a slight chill in air a few mornings. We are not far from the sea. But at all times I love to lose myself in a book 🙂

  20. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. And yes, loosing oneself in a book is the ultimate reader’s dream.:-) Enjoy the season!

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