Cheap Things To Do In January And beyond

The post-Christmas blues are so real  even the ’ol bank account looks sad. But grey skies and penny-pinching don’t have to equal doom and gloom. Put down the phone, stop scrolling, and lean into some simple, cheap and joyful habits that are good for the soul and brain. Use this January slump as an excuse to slow down. Embrace the cosy vibes and drizzles with a few wholesome activities to help you start anew. If you already feel caught up in the rat race, take this as your reminder to carve out some time for yourself! 

Ahead are my six favourite things to do in January that won’t cost a fortune…

Watch The Best Movies Of All Time

Give yourself permission to rot in front of a good movie! Just as you’d schedule a day out for yourself, schedule a day to succumb to the bad weather and swap brollies for blankets. Grab some popcorn (Tesco’s own brand of sweet and salty is unmatched thank me later) and snuggle up to a dog/cat/human. Dim the big lights, light some candles, and allow yourself to get lost in a lovely story (or a horror-filled one you do you). 

My all-time favourite comfort movies are, (ok, this is hard so i’m just going off the ones I think of first):

Romeo & Juliet. The Baz Luhrmann version.

Erin Brockovich

Pretty Woman

ConAir

Rocky (all of them)

Any Robin Williams film

The Wolf of Wall Street

Braveheart

Snatch

The Six Sense

Finding Nemo

Harry Potter (all of them)

Stand by Me

Take Up Knitting

Fine, Tom Daley’s knitting show was a bit boring, but knitting is still cool. In fact, if my TikTok algorithm is anything to go by, it’s what all the cool kids are doing these days. 

YouTube is a great place to learn all about it who knew? but I also really like Wool And The Gang’s easy beginner kits because they include everything you could possibly need to get started. They’re not cheap though, so maybe stick to YouTube for now. You can often find needles and yarn at charity shops for pennies, (or, better yet, steal them from your nan) and you can always stalkWool And The Gang’s channel for free tips until you can afford a kit…

Knitting is actually so good for your brain, by the way. It’s mindful and productive, and there’s something so incredibly satisfying about watching a beanie or scarf take shape in your hands. Plus, you get to feel so smug when someone compliments you on something you’ve just knitted (“Yeah, I made it myself, no biggie…”).

It seems daunting at first, but take things stitch by stitch. It’s okay to make mistakes. For me, knitting is about enjoying the process and learning a new skill, not being perfect. Not everything has to be a hustle.

Read More

Picture the scene: it’s a Sunday morning and the rain is pouring down. Skip the flower market (it’s too expensive anyway, and the weather will ruin your hair) for a date with a good book. Try that new romantasy story that you’ve seen all over TikTok, or treat yourself to a real print magazine and awe over the glossy pages like you used to when you were a kid. There’s something so delicious about devouring words on paper, whether a gripping novel or an article about the next big makeup trends. Reading is an affordable way to escape and learn all at once, and it’s so soothing to curl up with words when it’s chilly outside it’s like a warm hug for your brain. My Books To Read 2025 Blog

Learn To Bake Bread

I came across this bread recipe by Lucy Partington (a beauty journalist friend) on Instagram and felt inspired to try it for myself. I always thought bread-making was incredibly complex, but it turns out that you just need a little bit of (gluten-free in my case) flour and patience! There is a lot of waiting involved, but otherwise it’s very gratifying. And oh my god, that first bite of freshly baked bread slathered in butter is better than sex. Also, no fancy candle/perfume/diffuser comes close to the scent of freshly baked buns.

I’m coming for ya, Paul Hollywood!

Organise Your Wardrobe

I keep seeing those infographic memes about how clutter affects women more than men. I’m convinced that this theory extends to messy wardrobes, or, as I call it, my floordrobe.

So, no matter how painstaking it is, sorting out your clothes just makes you feel better. If you have the time, I highly recommend uploading your items to the Whearing app. It is like the Clueless wardrobe through your phone. Such a great visual way to create outfits and to remind yourself what you have.

Get 10k Steps a Day

Okay I admit: this one isn’t for everyone, but treating your body to even a little bit of movement is better than nothing. Personally, I get a big sense of achievement out of it, and a walk works like a restart button for my brain as well as my body. I’m a bit like a plant that way get me some light and fresh air and I’ll be happy. 

My biggest piece of advice would be to dress properly. If it’s raining, grab some walking boots, I love my Hunter ones, a raincoat and a cap to shield your face. When you’re properly prepared, a walk in subpar weather conditions feels less annoying, and you can actually start to enjoy it. I like to walk in Bushy Park or down the river to Richmond,  they both make you feel like you’re escaping to the country! You can’t hear any traffic, which feels quite magical and special when you’re so used to London life. I love my Apple Watch for helping me track my steps and workouts.

Supplement your walk with a podcast, a banging playlist, a cute coffee, or a dog (your own or a friend’s) to make the walk even better. If you aren’t near a park, take long neighbourhood strolls and wander through little streets that you haven’t explored before. You don’t need a gym membership or fancy gear  just get out there, get your blood pumping, get your endorphins going and clear those cobwebs!

Et voila! My top tips for a fun-filled, inexpensive, productive and wholesome January. Here’s to simplicity, joy, tiny accomplishments and a fresh start!

Love,

Lisa xx