Nat’l Splits Month: It’s a Thing and It’s Happening RN
So, as I sit all comfy and look outside at the winter wonderland quickly taking shape around me, I’ve been feeling anxious. Because it’s January 4th, and it’s pretty much the worst time of year. It’s barely 5pm and it’s almost black-out outside, and no matter how much you crank up the thermostat, it’s not getting warm. So, you’re holed up on the couch, snuggled up with blankets on blankets on blankets, and you’re left feeling so miz. Anyone else feeling the same way?! Yah, January is here and it’s harshing our chill like crazy.
On top of all those sad, stressed-out feelings, this month is also the biggest breakup month of the year, and it doesn’t take a relationship expert to understand why. It’s cold, you’re broke, it’s dark and dreadful outside - so, death to date night - and you’re just on edge day in and day out. The holidays are over, you don’t have much excitement to look forward to, you’re still working out your new year-new me resolutions, you or your guy might be fighting the [man] flu, and you’re not your best self. Let’s just be honest. Oh, also…. We heard that women statistically have worse periods this month, too… so there’s that. #pmsprobs. Well, at the end of the day, if you’ve just started dating someone (couldn’t hang being single for the holidays?) or have been coupled-up for a while now, don’t fall victim to the January freeze.
You and bae can make it to February, and we’ll show you how. It’s not hard, either. Just imagine yourselves somewhere warm and a lot prettier than it is currently outside your windows, and remember that in just 27 days, you’ll be transitioning out of breakup month and into romance month. Thoughts of Valentine’s Day, overflowing flutes of rosé, red, white and pink candies, and the overwhelming pressure to cling onto and covet your lover, it’ll just get you there. Fake it till you make it, right?
We’re four days into the Mondayest month of the year, so if you’re struggling with your special someone, and we get it, try some of these tips out.
⚠️ THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!! ⚠️
January is break up central, and you don’t need to be another casualty! So, instead of getting sucked into splitz-ville, turn down lovers lane! We’ll help.Photographers: Brooke Lark on Unsplash
give up your netflix & chill default
Don’t lie. You’ve totally been hiding behind cold and darkness as a means to ditch your date night plans. We don’t blame you, it’s freakin cold AF outside, who’d want to venture outside when Netflix and chilling is not only the cheapest option, but also only requires pjs, a glass of booze in hand and a blanket to cuddle with boo under. But really, you gotta give that up. Turn off the TV and make sure you’re not bailing on plans. Even if it takes pencilling date nights into your and his calendars. Make it exciting, too… if you or he flakes, issue a punishment. Sex ones count! Photographers: Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
keep yourselves healthy
From stomach flus to head colds and weather-related aches and pains, being sick can be the biggest relationship ill of the month. So, we’re tasking you to keep yourselves in check. Go food shopping together and stock up on antioxidant-rich rations, get outside when it’s not freezing and breathe in fresh air, work from home if any of your coworkers are bringing the plague into the office. Green juice your way to optimal health for you and your S.O. If you can stave off sickness for the month, you’ll be in a much better position to keep your couplehood in tip-top shape. Photographers: Jannis Brandt on Unsplash
lay off of social media, PLEASE!!!
We’ve said this 100000 times, but if there’s any time you’ll actually listen, make sure it’s now. It’s proposal season, so you’re liable to see ALL of the announcements about your friends and family members putting a ring on it. And if you’re relationship is nearing that milestone, then don’t put extra pressure on yourself and your partner to get engaged. If seeing one more person’s perfect selfie is going to put you over the edge, then seriously purge your social media addiction. Photographers: Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
don't work too much - you don't need more work wives
January brings out beast mode in your work ethic. You might be after a new promotion - to offset your bank account being non existent after the holidays - but working yourself into oblivion will only do bad things to your RL honey / while you’re cozying up to your work spouses. So, try to go home early enough that you can still get in some smooch time with your person. Photographers: Rawpixel.com on Unsplash
get psyched about your 2018 #couplegoals
A new year can bring about bad feelings and those unnecessary over analyses of where are we now, where are we going. But if you can use the turn of the season to psych up with your sidekick, then it can be a good thing!! Plan a trip, snow bunny the s*** out of yourselves (either hit the slopes or just have a lot of hot Energizer bunny sex) or if all else fails, just do as Sarah Hyland and Wells Adams do. Seriously, just look at their Instagrams (we know, we said NOT to get social media happy, but if you need to jump down that rabbit hole -- hah, lots of bunny references - then take some cues from some of the best celebrity couples and their relationship wins #centralparkpecks. Photo from: @wellsadams