I think I’ve admitted this in public before, but allow me to share once more that January is one of my favorite months of the year.  No, I don’t ski, have a Caribbean condo to sneak off to or necessarily enjoy cold weather, but for me this time of year is invigorating.

With the chaotic holidays behind us, most social obligations taken care of until the warmer months, and usually not as many commitments and activities on my kids' end, I selfishly make January all about me!

Members of our Gansett Mom’s Council appeased me when I challenged them to grab January by the snowballs and shovel out of any winter rut they might be stuck in by brainstorming at least 10 ideas that we could do alone, with friends or with our family this month and next before February vacation hits town.

Here’s what we can’t wait to do this January:

1. Start fresh and de clutter and organize the house!  I sheepishly confess that this was one of my suggestions.  It’s a great time to get rid of all the “clap trap” you’ve been accumulating in closets, drawers, cupboards, under the bed and anyplace else you lovingly “stick” things.  Here’s a great, step by step article to help you get started. 
2. Take a breather and figure out your life’s purpose.  Ever wonder how you continue to go through the motions of your harried life and not feel like you accomplished anything or worse — you feel incomplete? These winter months are perfect for doing a little soul searching. This article by Steve Pavlina can help you get started.
3. Make a list of at least five movies you’ve always wanted to watch or would like to see again and try and fit one in a week or have friends over and make a double feature out of some. You know of course this is the perfect time to test out some deliciously hearty winter snacks.  The Daily Texan recommends these five indulgent winter goodies that will warm your soul!
4. Create your own vision boards of things that make you smile, feel great, laugh or truly inspire you.  Visit www.pinterest.com to get started.  Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard.  Pinterest lets yout lets you organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and organize their favorite recipes for free.
5. Redecorate one room in the house or give new life to an old piece of furniture with good, old-fashioned paint.  Guilty as charged for this idea as well!  I am taking on an entire upstairs living-quarters makeover and repainting everything in tranquil, brilliant Caribbean colors.  That means, teal, mango, sea green and pink sand dust.  Because my husband travels during the week, I won’t have anyone watching over each stroke and therefore will be relaxed and carefree as I transform our much needed color makeover.  (Of course, this will include shopping for a few new accessories—again, while he’s away!)
6. Visit the library!  If you haven’t found the time to pick up a great book and curl up with some hot tea or a glass of Cabernet, this is the perfect time to head to the library and check out a good read.  We often forget what an amazing resource our local libraries   are because we get caught up with the daily grind or taking care of our kids’ reading needs.  There’s nothing like turning the pages of a book that takes you away to another place and time.  When you visit the library you can become instantly refreshed for free!  And don’t limit yourself to just your town library—venture out beyond county lines and visit the beautiful Jamestown or North Kingstown Free libraries. 
7. Take a dance lesson at The Towers. OK, stop rolling your eyes at this suggestion—you know that there are plenty of you that have dance lessons on your bucket list.  If your significant other doesn’t want to go, you and your friends can still make a night of it.  Kick up your heels at The Towers on Wednesday nights, no partner necessary, and learn the cha cha, the fox trot and really let your hair down while learning the Argentine Tango—January’s  theme is "CRAZY EIGHTS" forward and backward ochos.
8. Practice Random Acts of Kindness such as baking some goodies as a surprise for neighbors, friends, school staff, the fire or police department, the postman, etc. — as a gesture of appreciation.  When’s the last time someone did something unexpectedly wonderful for you or your family?  Most people tend to feel a little blah during the winter months, so why not find a way to brighten someone’s day with a random act that will make them smile.  Leave a plate of freshly baked chocolate chips for the staff at your child’s school, or the next time you’re in the drive-thru at Dunkin Donuts put a dollar or two towards the car behind yours order.  Think outside the box.  It needn’t be much — just enough to make someone smile — which in turn is going to make you feel even better this winter!
9. Host a wine or beer tasting in your “hood” or with friends.  A dank, cold weekend in January is the perfect opportunity to gather the adults in your neighborhood or some of your good friends and try some new vino or ale.  Have everyone pick a country and bring one bottle of wine and a beer or two from that location.  This makes it affordable and a fun adventure for your taste buds.  Just be responsible!
10. Write a love letter to someone special.  If you’ve been married for decades, or dating for a while, we all know how easy it is to take that person for granted.  The doldrums of winter are the perfect time to sit down with a pen and paper, yes that means not an e-mail, and write that special someone a nice note about what you appreciate about them or relive a special memory the two of you shared.  Mail it to their workplace or leave it unexpectedly near the cereal box or on top of the bath towels.  You don’t need to have a sweetheart to do this with either.  Send someone you work with an unexpected message or go pick out a funny card to send your mom or dad.  We’re not asking for sentimental mush, just a few kind thoughts to warm up their cold winter as well.

Those are some of our ideas, do you have any suggestions that you would like to share with our readers?  Please let us know in the comment section or e-mail me at CB091987@aol.com, or you can reach our editor, Stephen Greenwell, at Stephen.Greenwell@patch.com.