Cheerful: Fall in love with February (Guest Post)

I’m thrilled to introduce my very first guest blogger, Izzie Anderton, who blogs over at The World According to Izzie.

During the winter months I have been hibernating with my laptop and spending time with the cat. Nights have passed quietly in the company of great books and steaming mugs of hot chocolate and after being cooped up indoors for so long, I’ll confess to feeling a little stir crazy.

Although winter can be fabulous and offers the perfect excuse to snuggle up in front of the fire, spend time with friends and family during the festive season and catch up on all those films and books you’ve missed, I can’t help but think that the season has outstayed its welcome.

As February is officially the last month of winter (and also the shortest) now is a great time to look forward to the onset of spring. Lighter nights, brighter days and spring flowers inspire thoughts of warmer weather, vacations and being able to leave the house without multiple layers of clothing.

February can be a tough month to get motivated, so why not take advantage of the chilly days to organise and make plans for the rest of the year? Use this time wisely to start crossing off the growing list of chores that need tackling before the weather improves. And don’t forget to factor in some rewards for good behaviour.

February is a great month to…

• Get the kids to try on summer clothes from the previous year and sell or donate anything that’s no longer useful.

• Join a gym – the majority of new members have stopped going already after initial enthusiasm during the New Year has waned.

• Declutter! Best tackled in short bursts when you’re at your most productive.

• Don’t forget to check out the clearance sales – remaining stock is often reduced by up to 70%

• Book a vacation – it might be cold outside but that doesn’t mean you can’t plan ahead. This allows ample time to organise a great itinerary that’ll make the most of each and every day.

• If the kids are lucky enough to have days off school, why not ice-skate, bake cookies, or hold a games tournament?

• Organise and print off last year’s photos. Clear out those memory cards ready for making even more special memories.

• Have a day of pampering – it’s all too easy to neglect beauty routines during winter when we’re wrapped up in layers and really couldn’t care less – but here’s to looking gorgeous.

• File the paperwork and work out a family budget for the coming year.

These are just some of the ways to be super organised in time for the wonderful spring and fabulous summer we’re all hoping for – what’s not to love?

As you’ve already celebrated Groundhog Day over in the US, these were the official findings…

Punxsutawney Phil emerged, saw a shadow and retreated back into his burrow. This means that the winter weather will apparently continue for another six weeks. On the positive side, at least that gives us extra time to get organised.

© 2014 Izzie Anderton

About Izzie, according to Izzie:
I started this blog as it’s cheaper than therapy and allows me to rant about whatever’s on my mind, whenever I feel like it. Liberally sprinkled throughout the blog you’ll find a few random posts – I love travel, music, books, comedy, wine and don’t see why they shouldn’t get a mention from time to time. Now forty-something – how did that happen? I have been married to my doting long-suffering husband for twenty-one years and we have nineteen year old twin daughters.Both daughters have recently left home and gone to university. Currently I alternate between enjoying the peace and missing the chaos. I’m adjusting to life as an empty-nester and perfecting the art of growing old disgracefully.

Please do check out her wonderful and very funny blog!

All this week, I’m hosting a linky of cheerfulness! You can read about the idea here. If you’d like to join in with any cheerful, happy, funny, silly, magical or inspirational posts to brighten up this rather miserable February, please do and I will share them to spread a little cheerfulness :)