Opalite - Creating My Own Joy (January 2026 Recap)

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

I chose the word Opalite for 2026 because I love the meaning so much.  The word is the title of a song by Taylor Swift, and it means creating your own joy or happiness even when things aren’t going your way.  Life is full of ups and downs, so I thought this would be the perfect word to keep at the forefront of my mind as a constant reminder that there’s always something I can do to lift my own spirits.  And this manufactured joy doesn’t have to come from grand gestures or big events… most of the time it’s made in the small, everyday details. 

 

Here are some of the things I did in January to create my own joy…

 

-       On New Year’s Day, we purposely didn’t make any plans so we could stay at home and in pajamas the entire day.  College football was on from early morning until late at night, and I spent hours on the couch just watching, relaxing, scrolling my phone, and doing whatever I felt like doing.  It was a purely lazy day from start to finish and it was glorious.  I don’t get those days very often, so I was very happy that we were intentional about creating one for ourselves.  It was the perfect way to kick off the new year… slow, cozy, and intentional.

-       In addition to New Year’s Day, the kids were on Christmas break for four more days, so rather than hitting the ground cleaning out and organizing all the things, I allowed myself to enjoy the time off and ease into the month.  I allowed myself to just be.  So, there was lots of cozy couch time, lots of reading, and lots of slow, intentional time with the kids.  I typically push myself to be productive for most of each day, but learning to lean in to being still has been a blessing.

-       I refreshed all our cleaning supplies in January to make cleaning more efficient and more enjoyable.  While I love organizing and tidying, I pretty much dread actual house cleaning, but having the proper supplies goes a long way… this new toilet brush system works so well and it eliminates the need for a separate cleaner (and it gets under the edge of the toilet bowl better than any other cleaner I’ve ever used), this new glass and mirror cleaner doesn’t leave streaks which has been a gamechanger, and this new Mrs. Meyers cleaner smells so lovely that I find myself enjoying wiping down all the surfaces whereas I’m usually holding my breath trying not to breathe in the chemicals of the traditional cleaning products.

-       The day the kids went back to school I was in a little bit of a funk just knowing that Christmas break (my favorite two weeks of the whole year) was over, so I turned on some 90s R&B music while I cooked dinner and I sang along.  You simply cannot be sad while listening to 90s R&B music.  The nostalgia and good vibes are unmatched, and it turned my mood right around!

-       A couple of times in January, I was struggling not to fall asleep at my desk, and I couldn’t focus on my writing.  Instead of pushing through like I usually do, I grabbed my electric blanket and curled up in our bed to take a short nap.  When I woke up, I felt refreshed, recharged, and ready to write!

-       We had a couple of warm days during the month of January, so you better believe I opened my sunroof, blasted some good music, and sang at the top of my lungs on those days!  Fresh air and sunshine = instant joy.

-       I spent several evenings with Jacob at the piano, watching him play.  It always brings me joy seeing our kids using their God given talents and doing something that they truly enjoy.

-       You know those little rolled wafers with cream in the middle from Target?  They are one of my favorite treats, so I indulged several days in January and had those with my afternoon tea when I was craving something sweet.

-       I have been obsessed with Manhattans ever since I had my first one right around this time last year, and I enjoyed a few of them throughout the month as nightcaps.  They are rich and delicious and relaxing, and the cherry at the end is *chef’s kiss*.  One Monday was particularly Monday-ish, so I even had one during the week.

-       In January, I finally framed my Taylor Swift autograph and then I spent hours rearranging all my shelves in my office to find the perfect home for it.  I loveeee rearranging décor, but I rarely take the time to do it because it is so time consuming getting everything just right.  It was time well spent.

-       I grabbed an extra cookie at my in-laws’ house after Sunday lunch one day, and I grabbed an extra cookie at my Momma and Daddy’s house after Sunday dinner because they were too good not to.

-       I used my slow cooker several times in January because it brings me great joy to get home from school on a Monday afternoon knowing that dinner is already done!

-       I stayed in the shower for a few extra minutes one cold morning just enjoying the warmth instead of rushing out as soon as I was done.

-       I spent many evenings working on our puzzle with the fam instead of opting to be productive.

-       One school morning, I slept in an extra 30 minutes since I didn’t have to shower (I was getting my hair done that morning), and extra sleep ALWAYS brings me joy.  Sleeping is one of my favorite things.

-       Walks always bring me lots of joy, especially when I’m not feeling the greatest, so I made it a point to walk a TON in January, even on the days when the temperature was below freezing.  Cardio endorphins = instant joy.

-       I usually jump right out of bed when it’s time to get up, but a couple of mornings in January, I let myself lay in bed all cozy and peaceful for a few extra minutes.  I got to soak up the stillness and quietness of the morning, and it was such a treat.

-       One morning, we woke up to snow on the ground, so I didn’t need to create my own joy that day.  ;o)  We see it very rarely here, and it’s always a treat, so it was worth noting here even though I didn’t create it.  ;o)

-       Olivia and I put lights in her room one evening, and spending quality time with my girl always makes me happy.

-       January was cold, and there’s nothing worse than getting into bed at night already freezing.  When that happens to me, I have a hard time falling asleep because my body doesn’t warm itself easily without an actual heat source.  Multiple times in January, I warmed my neck and shoulder wrap in the microwave and put it under the covers at the foot of the bed a few minutes before bedtime.  Getting into a warmed up bed when it’s freezing cold is the coziest, most luxurious feeling!

-       I did some browsing at Hobby Lobby to kill some time before dinner with my girls instead of running boring errands.  I rarely ever take the time to browse at stores, so it was such a treat.

-       I drank two cups of hot tea every single day in January, and I drank it from a fun, festive mug.  On repeat right now is my mug with pictures of Maui on it, my mug with a picture of Sully from Monster’s Inc. and me on it, and my mug with Dave Matthews Band’s discography on it.

-       I started reading in the car line every day rather than working or checking things off my to do list, and now I look forward to my car line time most days because I know that my brain is going to get a little break. 

 

January was a good month!

Happy Monday, y’all!