January is a tiresome month. We feel a tremendous amount of guilt and shame for over-indulging over the Christmas period, and so we beat ourselves up about it and punish ourselves with impossible diets and Dry January. Not to mention racking up fees for gym memberships that feel difficult to commit to with a punishing work/life/family balance.
So, let’s approach this January a little differently. With self-compassion.
Firstly, everybody overdoes it at Christmas. No matter how restrained we want to be, we know we’ll never be more than an arm’s length from a box of Quality Street or a bottle of Baileys. But, t’is the season, so let’s not be too harsh on ourselves.
Secondly, we need to be realistic about self-improvement because, let’s face it, ‘new year, new me’ is a load of guff. It’s practically impossible to transform yourself overnight, and assuming that you can will only set you up for failure, especially when you find it impossible to commit to daily workouts or forego any kind of treat or simple pleasure.
Change happens incrementally. It happens by making small and realistic improvements on a consistent basis. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the cost-effective and mindful ways we can commit to self-improvement in 2026, and beyond.
Exercise should feel rewarding
No, that’s not a joke. Even when you’re exhausted and pushing yourself to do that extra press up, you should come away feeling the benefit. That can be a delightfully smug feeling of self-satisfaction (you’ve earned it) or even a literal high – exercise releases endorphins.
But thinking that a bog-standard gym offers a fix-all solution may not be the answer.
Wandsworth Town is blessed with a plethora of options to help you get active and feel great. I mean, you can literally throw a stone in any direction and you’ll hit a gym or workout studio (please don’t throw stones). So, it’s not just about finding any old exercise routine, it’s about finding one that’s right for you.
Who knows, your thing may be tennis or padel. Maybe Reformer Pilates or barre training is more your style. Perhaps you’ve yet to discover the magic of yoga or the adrenaline of a wall climb. Or you need the focus and dedication of a personal trainer. Whatever it is, you’ll find it in SW18. And if you love it, you’ll stick to it.
Check out our ‘Lifestyle’ page to see every conceivable activity taking place on your doorstep.
Get creative
Mind’s ‘five ways to wellbeing‘ says that we should connect with others and continue to learn in order to feel happier in our daily lives.
And what better way to do both than by getting creative.
Every day is a school day, no matter how old you are, because there’s always something to learn. And, in Wandsworth Town, there are many ways to elevate your skills.
Have you ever tried your hand at pottery painting or clay sculpting? Can you make coffee like a barista? Are you able to dazzle your dinner guests with a brand-new menu?
Did you know that our very own Wandsworth Town Library hosts a variety of accessible events on a daily basis, including story time, knitting, conversational languages, and much, much more.
Eat and drink well
Look, we all know that fast food and chocolate are not staples of a good diet. It’s not rocket science. But we also know that sticking to strict dieting regimes that punish us for even craving the occasional treat are practically impossible to maintain.
The secret lies in the balance.
And Wandsworth Town is packed full of places that enable you to make healthier choices without restricting your diet and social life. Or breaking the bank.
It’s not even necessarily about dining out. God knows January is lean enough as it is. Groceries and fresh products are available to buy from any number of great shops in SW18, including Lidl, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Bayley & Sage. Go online and look for free recipes that use some of your favourite healthy ingredients to make clean eating work for you.
And if you do want to dine out, that’s great too. If you’re on the go and want something healthy and light then stop by at E&H on Old York Road. The letters literally stand for Easy and Healthy, it’s right there in the name. And if you want to kick back of an evening with your other half or your friends then most restaurants are currently running healthy menu items, which is great for those doing Veganuary.
When it comes to the ol’ booze, now has never been a better time to dive into the 0% drinks. There are alcohol-free varieties of literally every type of alcohol, so you can still enjoy the flavours and the social buzz, without testing your liver or waking up with a hangover.
Check out the food and drink options in Wandsworth Town.
Stay in the loop
There’s always an incredible selection of events and offers happening on your doorstep, from creative activities to running groups, and everything in between.
Download the Wandsworth Town app to stay connected to your community and everything that’s going on.
And most importantly…
Be kind to yourself. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but it also doesn’t happen without effort, and we’re only human. There’ll be successes and there’ll be setbacks, but it’s only natural.
It’s the will to keep trying that counts.
