january r.e.p.o.r.t.

a little report about the previous 31 days

Hi friend,

I hope you had a wonderful January. This month felt so long and so cold. It was hard to go outside; we had many days of below zero temperatures, or days where we barely surpassed zero. Now that things seem to be warming up, I have hope for February, but for now, it’s time to look at the January report!

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Reading

This month, it was a struggle to read much. It must have been something in the air, because I know several people who couldn’t seem to get through their books, either.

I did complete one for a book club I didn’t end up going to, The Tiffany Girls. It was fine, I felt that the end was a little out of character, and the story was a bit cliché. It was entertaining, but not something that was extraordinary to me. It was a decent palette cleanser, which is just what I needed, and I am in search of another one.

I have also been working through Hungerstone for a different book club. It has been a slow process only because picking up a book this month has felt like a chore. Hungerstone does seem more interesting to me, with a bit of a slow start, but one can’t expect much in only 50 pages…

Enjoying

This month, the Animal Crossing update brought me back to my little island… I hadn’t played in about 2 months, and it’s been fun coming back to it. I’ve started terraforming and redecorating parts of my island I had put off before… Maybe someday, I’ll get to a 5 star island!

I’ve also been drinking so. much. tea. As in, sometimes three cups a day. My current favorite is a raspberry zinger tea, though I’ve also been loving peppermint, too. Sometimes it’s hard to find a good flavor having to drink strictly non-caffeinated types, so if you have any tea recommendations, I’d love to know!

Photos

Here are some photos from my camera/365 project, and after are some photos from my phone to show how January went!

sunset light, drifted rabbit prints, snowflakes, a plane passing by, a hazy moon

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Played lots of Animal Crossing with the new update, spent time at a museum, bought a Miffy desk friend, had lovely Mexican food, took photos in a studio for a local band

Observing

This month, I have been making more of an effort to be off my phone more and trying to observe more in the world around me without taking a photo every single time. I am trying to allow myself to be bored again, to avoid doomscrolling, and to not be searching for a photograph just to get my photo done for the day. Less pressure, less stimuli. I know, it’s nothing marvelous or out of this world. But, sometimes ya gotta remind yourself to take it easy and relax.

My favorite thing that I saw was a change in the light as sunset approached. The clouds began to shift to a pale gold, then to pinks and oranges. The light as it begins to touch treetops is a deep orange…

I also really enjoyed watching snow drift through the wind. We had some very windy, very cold days. On my way home from work, I noticed how bits of snow would fly off the accumulation laying on the ground, and how it resembled sand dunes. With each gust, there were wispy trails of snowflakes breezing through the air.

Reflecting

Some lovely things from January:

• I took photos in a studio with a local band, and it was so much fun!

• Made sure to rest when I needed to

• Began writing more!

Something to look forward to in February:

• I am going to a zine workshop with two friends

• The days are becoming longer

• I love all the heart-shaped things that begin to show up around Valentines Day

• I’m (finally) getting another tattoo (:

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Tuning into

This month, I watched a couple of movies. I saw Dune and Dune: Part Two, Weapons, and Green Room.

Dune and Dune: Part Two were so good. I am really looking forward to the third part. I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the story, mostly how it was told without being told… If that makes any sense. Everything is so visually beautiful in those films, and the effects are also so well done.

Weapons was not my favorite movie, the end to me was not as satisfying as I would have hoped. I did really enjoy the way it was filmed, and how the camera at times followed behind the different characters. The swap to other characters and showing their perspectives was also something I liked. I’m not great with gore, so I did end up looking away at the end, which leads me to my next movie…

Green Room grew on me after I had time to marinate on the film. It had an interesting premise, but it’s more for people who are okay with gory films. Some of the injuries were a bit much for me… Also: Anton Yelchin. He was such a great actor…

Got any movie recs? I’m always looking for more, so leave a comment!

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In Case You Missed It

a january haiku

my favorite photographs from 2025

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Coming up in February:

• trying something new! a “personal column” post of sorts

• February poem so long as creativity flows

• A recap of my 365 project, which will be coming to an end February 25th! (I am trying so hard to catch up, and I’ve made progress!)

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And with that, here is hoping that February brings more sunlight, warmth, and lots of heart shaped things. (and, of course, CHOCOLATE! heheh)

See you soon,

emma xo