I tend to beat the inevitable January blues with two opposing but equally important lifestyle pillars. The first is moving, sweating and self-care, so saunas, lifting weights, pilates, evening baths, red light masks (this is the one I use) and fistfuls of supplements are on the agenda. The second is being the ultimate couch potato and watching as much TV and as many movies as my evenings and weekends will allow. I find the combination of these two daily foundations is the sweet spot for climbing down from December’s sugar high but avoiding a SAD-induced hole of despair while doing so. I’m abstaining from Gail’s Christmas buns but fully indulging in hot hockey players and am very satisfied with the trade.
[partnership] For those of you who use Amigo, I’ve added some of my favourite spots from our Japan trip to my recommendations on the app so you can save and wish list them directly in Amigo. If you’re not yet on the app, you really should be. It’s so, so helpful for planning trips and sussing out in-the-know places via those whose taste you trust. Hopefully one of which might be me if you’re here! You can use my invite code ‘LucyWilliams’ to create an account and get started. I’ve used it so much for plotting trips everywhere from Paris to Japan and soon, Milan for my birthday.
So without further ado, here are 10 things I’ve leant on this month…
1. Like the rest of the world, the best thing I’ve seen this week, month and probably year has been Heated Rivalry, the smoking hot gay hockey drama people can’t stop talking about and my algorithm is as obsessed with as me. I’d been following it’s hype via Evan Ross Katz’s instagram last year so as soon as it landed in the UK (Sky/Now) I was straight in there and watched the whole thing in a day. The sexiest love story since Normal People, it’s hot yes, but it’s also moving and gorgeous and beautifully shot with a killer soundtrack. I live for the yearn and there is so much fantastic yearning to be had here. Episode 5 will make you believe in love again if you needed any convincing and episode 6 gives me the good kind of chills just thinking about it. Did I mention it’s hot? I’m now back in the chokehold of Tell Me Lies for the third and final season… Yes they’re all toxic and fucked up but boy do I love spending time with this dysfunctional group of beautiful people.
Hamnet was a whole different level of gut-wrenching; I don’t think I’ve ever been to a movie where no one moves from their seats for a good 5 minutes after the credits start rolling. I think everyone needed time to compose themselves and rouse themselves from their trauma-induced stupor. Beautifully shot and both Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal give the performances of their life - Jess especially deserves to win all the awards. What a force. For something a little lighter, A24’s Eternity made both me and my husband very happy. It’s a fun little rom com set in the afterlife that pits first love (Calum Turner) and long-term love (Miles Teller`) against each other with the prize of forever with Joan (Elisabeth Olsen) up for grabs. For anyone who’s thought ‘what if’ about the one that got away or craved romance amidst the humdrum of longterm love, this is a lovely little reminder about what’s important.
2. My Higher Dose sauna blanket has been a big factor in surviving these bleak January days. I was sceptical about these to be honest and doubted it could match the feeling of having a proper sauna but when they offered to send me one, I felt it was my civic duty to try. And honestly, I love it. There’s no better feeling than properly sweating out the sins of December without even needing to leave your house or make a booking. The towel insert/lining is essential so you can go in without wearing clothes and just wash the towel after.
