Soulful Reflections | 01.25
Snowdrops, train rides, Stratford-upon-Avon, January favourites, new year reads, and more.
In my ‘Soulful Reflections’ series, you’ll discover a monthly nature-inspired reflection, along with what I’ve been up to, a few of my monthly favourites, plus I’ll also be sharing what books I’ve been reading, and lots more… so get nice and cosy and let’s take a few moments to pause, reflect and unwind.
I wonder if you’ve spotted any snowdrops yet? We went for a walk the other day, just up the road, to St Michael’s churchyard here in Lichfield to search for snowdrops. The churchyard is a haven for seasonal flowers. Spring is a particular favourite time of mine to explore the churchyard, which I’m very much looking forward to; As soon as you enter, the air is filled with the scent of wild garlic as a sea of vibrant green leaves cover the ground. Daffodils and bluebells brighten the wooded areas, cherry blossoms adorn the trees, and a beautiful chorus of birdsong echoes through the branches.
Amongst the beautiful snowdrops that we found, we also spotted many daffodil shoots rising up from the ground. A few were almost out in bloom. There were also some crocuses too, and some leftover fungi, still clinging to the bark of the trees.
You can find some of my many pictures from around the churchyard in my Moments in Nature series.
Here are a few of the things that I have been up to this month:
We welcomed the new year in Matlock Bath at our favourite Airbnb, our home away from home. We enjoyed a delicious spread of bread, meats, cheeses, and sweet treats, spending a cosy and relaxing evening in.
While we were in Matlock Bath, we were treated to a beautiful snow-covered view.
We won a giraffe on the toy grabber, and an octopus keyring on the 2p machine!
We enjoyed some magical frosty walks around Lichfield. I’m sure for a day we entered Narnia!
I chose my word for 2025, which you can read all about here.
I had my first client of 2025.
I’ve started brainstorming ideas for my small business for how I can develop it further in 2025. Very excited!
We had our first hot cross buns of the year (cheese flavoured ones).
We had a wonderful train trip to Stratford-upon-Avon, exploring and admiring the beautiful buildings, and looking around some of the shops. We also had the most delicious sweet treats at The Cornish Bakery while we were there. I went for the Raspberry and white chocolate bronut, and a white hot chocolate. On our way back, we stopped in Birmingham and enjoyed a meal at our favourite restaurant, Ask Italian.
May have consumed a lot cheese throughout January!
Some January favourites:
Snowdrops
As I mentioned a little bit further up, we went on a search for some snowdrops this week. They are one of the first signs signalling a shift in the seasons, and that spring is very much on the way.
As snowdrops arrive early in the year, they don’t actually rely on bees and other pollinators to reproduce. Instead they spread through bulb division. These pretty little flowers are viewed as a symbol of hope, new beginnings, and rebirth. They were often used as decoration in churches during the Christian festival of Candlemas. Snowdrops were also known as Candlemas bells.
Did you know… Snowdrops were also traditionally used to treat pain and headaches, and a compound in the bulb has been used in modern medicine to develop a treatment for dementia.
The RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch
I attempted to do the birdwatch last Friday, on the first day, but as is always the case as soon as I sat down with pen in hand, none appeared! 😂 Please tell me it’s not just me!?! We had actually had quite a lot of bird activity that morning too, so I was feeling very optimistic! I just put it down to the windy weather, and decided I would try again on Sunday.
Thankfully I did manage to get my bird sightings submitted on the Sunday, and of course the following day there were more birds than I had seen in days… after the birdwatch had ended! I’m sure they always know when it’s the birdwatch weekend and deliberately hide away!
I really love taking part, as it’s wonderful to dedicate time to watching the birds outside, and even if I don’t really spot any, there’s lots to focus my attention on in the garden. It’s a lovely feeling of just being in the present moment, focusing on what’s around me, taking it all in, and appreciating nature.
Substack Posts
Here are a few Substack posts I’ve been enjoying reading this month:
Cosy Secondhand Bookshops to Visit in Derbyshire this Winter by
12 Extremely Helpful Questions I Ask Myself When Business Is Slow by .
My favourite ways to rest throughout my workday by .
The secret power of a personal brand by .
Slow & Gentle Living - The Basics by .
Slow & Simple Moments | 01.25 by .
My favourite writing resources for 2025 by .
In My Cottage Garden - January Edition by
What I’ve read, am currently reading, and want to read next:
Snowed in at the Cat Cafe by Rachel Rowlands
This was such a beautiful book. I really loved the story a lot, especially as it included a lot of cats! The story follows Emmie as she begins her job at her aunts cafe, Catpurrcino, the fresh start she needed after a tough year. But then Emmie’s aunt hires someone new called Jared, who also says he’s allergic to cats! After a heavy snowfall, Emmie, Jared , and a certain someone else ends up snowed inside the cafe. It’s a really lovely heartwarming read. I also loved that the one of the characters is called Clem! I’ve already pre-ordered the next book on my Kindle, which features Clem as the main character!
A Mudlarking Year: Finding treasure in every season by Lara Maiklem
I’ve only just started reading this book, but I’m really enjoying it a lot already. Lara takes us on a journey with her, month by month, “as she searches the foreshore through the changing seasons, she is at times aided by the gentle illumination of the falling winter sun or hindered by bright summer skies and lashing rain. Yet, by working in harmony with the unpredictable terrain, she finds solace in aligning with the elements and uncovering the treasures that are bestowed by the tide.” I can already tell it’s going to be one of my most favourite books of 2025!
Birds as Individuals by Len Howard
I found this book in the Kindle daily deals for only 99p! Len Howard packed up her life in the 1930’s, bought a plot of land in Sussex, and built herself a little home there. She called it Bird Cottage. She opened up her home (literally) to the birds of the garden, and lived the rest of her life alongside them. This book shares all that she learned about the birds who she lived with. I did actually find a video on Facebook on the BBC archives page of Len and her bird family, which was lovely to watch.
The slow, simple, and quiet moments of winter
Join me in my Tales of Slow & Simple series, as I’ve taken time to seek and appreciate the small, slow, simple, and quiet moments of winter, instead of wishing it away. Even just being still for a few minutes, it’s surprising what small joys you can notice.
What have been some of your favourite moments throughout January?
Until next time…
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Beautiful memories and joyous moments 🙏😭🙌🌿✨❤️🌱
Some beautiful memories of January. I smiled when you spoke about the bird watch. It's as if they knew what you were up to 😊.
Stratford Upon Avon is lovely isn't it. I have some lovely memories from there.