25 Comments
User's avatar
Kimberly Knowle - Zeller's avatar

Love this!

Expand full comment
Marie b's avatar

I didn’t think I was friends with Jan until I read this tribute. Now I think I am. What a lovely piece

Expand full comment
Kristi Clark's avatar

This was so fun to read! I will always think of Jan in a different light now, though I too have always loved the quiet coziness of this month. Even though I have to remind myself that we still have a long way to go, we’ve already come through the darkest days of the season and the exhaustion of December and January is just so…quietly hopeful. Plus, I totally understand about walking the dog now! We got a puppy in the beginning of December and it’s been the best thing, those few short walks every day. ♥️

Expand full comment
Julie Henderson's avatar

Thank you, Breanne, for sharing. I especially enjoyed the photos of your gorgeous feline.

Expand full comment
Jenn Schultz's avatar

I appreciate this. Jan hasn’t treated me well, so we have some issues to work out, but maybe we just needed to be reintroduced ❤️

Expand full comment
Aimee Guest's avatar

I loved reading this. As a fellow writer, I could feel the delight you had once you discovered the way into this post and I would imagine the fun just kept coming as you kept writing. Fun for the writer, fun for the reader!

As a person who loathes January (we are far from a nickname relationship), you did such a great job laying out all of the reasons to give her a chance.

Expand full comment
Katie Marquette's avatar

I loved this Breanne. I've always been a cheerleader for January, and you articulated the reasons why so well.

Expand full comment
Danielle D.'s avatar

Love this perspective, Breanne! In general, a beautiful piece of writing and I want to eat all of that food. :) I confess to still being one of those January-haters! I live in central Washington state where we have weeks upon weeks of no sun and the mood impact is real! I come from a family of educators so forever, September feels like my "fresh start/new year" month. But I love the challenge to look for the beauty and the opportunities in this unique month. Thank you! <3

Expand full comment
Lydia B's avatar

This was a lovely thing to read. I too have come to appreciate January for all its slowness/new starts/possibilities! But all your prospectives and descriptions of who Jan(uary) is was delightful. Passing this on to friends 🩷

Expand full comment
H. A. Titus's avatar

I too have come to enjoy January! The same reason I love Sundays—it’s the start of a new time, a blank slate, and boy do I need those lots.

February though… 😅

Expand full comment
Ashlee Gadd's avatar

Loved this ❤️

Expand full comment
Debi Hassler-Never Forsaken's avatar

Jan is not my best friend, but I love your take on it. It opens my eyes to the possibility that there is good to be found even on foggy, freezing, bleak days. Thanks!

Expand full comment
Katherine's avatar

“She’ll do the good work of helping us to slow down and be productive all at once.” This is so good. Your writing always makes me want to stop and *notice* things more. Thank you! Off to make myself some French press coffee and try to spend more time with a book than my phone today. ✨

Expand full comment
Kathy Young's avatar

Breanne, I loved the personification of our complicated relationship with Jan. So relatable! We hate to see her go but love to watch her leave. I’m totally going to take this writing prompt and run with it!

Expand full comment
Tim Kreuz's avatar

Potato Soup with Crusty Bread Slathered in Butter! Exactly what I was doing this week.

Expand full comment
Sue's avatar

*this post just reinforcing my hibernation era*

Expand full comment