How to motivate yourself in winter?

And why I never make resolutions in January.

For years, I would set myself goals: do more yoga, run more, drink more water, drink less alcohol, play more piano.

While I achieved some, by mid-January, boredom often set in, and I found myself drifting away from my resolutions. This pattern frustrated me until I discovered a more nurturing approach to my well-being: engaging in mindful photography.

Mindful photography has transformed my relationship with my body and my environment. I’ve learned to appreciate the beauty in colourless landscapes, grey skies, sleety days, hard frosty soils and bare trees stripped of their leaves. Instead of pushing myself to achieve these goals, I’ve finally embraced the concept of rest. I now say no to social engagements that don’t resonate with my needs and avoid venturing out in the cold evenings ( unless of course it’s a dancing event ! ).

My evening meals mirror this approach: I enjoy warm soups and slow-cooked dishes. I also choose darker fruit and veg to nourish my blood and certainly make an effort to go to bed earlier.

What’s been more liberating is allowing myself to rest without guilt. If I need a little lie down halfway through the day, I listen to my body. It’s not just about sleep; sometimes, I’m lost in daydreams. Interestingly, scientific evidence supports this—daydreaming opens up neural pathways and encourages positivity and creativity. I recall a conversation with my hairdresser; when I asked her about her afternoon plans, she replied, “I’m going to lie down and daydream.” She treated it like an important appointment, and she was right. That simple act of cherishing time to daydream has enriched my life.

So, as we enter another year, I have a question for you: Are you going to set yourself resolutions that you might abandon by mid-January?

or

are you going to allow yourself the freedom to daydream about how you want to nurture yourself now?

If you’re inspired to engage in this mindful approach, consider creating a little gallery on your smartphone or using an app like Padlet to design a mood board. Venture out into nature and use mindful photography to capture what nature is doing at the moment. This process can help support these gentle, achievable visions for your future. Embrace the journey and see where your daydreams take you!

Come and join us in our online community group or look us up here for our new 2026 courses

https://mindfulphotography.org.uk/community-workshops/