The first week in January is always an odd one.

You’re still basking in the holiday afterglow, playing with your new presents, nibbling at the last of the Christmas cookies, staring out at the pulsating colored lights on your neighbor’s balcony. But it’s also a sobering time. I think one of my least favorite things to do in the entire world is to take down my Christmas tree and put it at the curb. It almost makes me cry. (Almost.) And as soon as that tree’s gone, you start making all these resolutions to make your life less fun; eat less yummy food, imbibe fewer cocktails, etc.

I’m no longer that person who sprints to the gym the moment the New Year starts, resolving that this is the year I’ll go every day. No. I know myself better than that by now. Instead I’m setting more manageable goals for myself. And I’m actually kind of excited at the changes I’m planning on making in my life. More on that later.

For now, here are some interesting things from around the internets:

1. Emma Watson is starting a book club! Since I’ve already read almost all her recommendations so far, I’m looking forward to see what else goes on the list. (Not that my TBR stack needs to get much higher.)

2. Why kids in Japan are so independent. I love the part where the author explains it’s not because the kids there are more self-reliant–it’s because the community as a whole is more “group-reliant”. It takes a village.

3. Carrie Fisher had to defend herself for having aged. Her male costars did not. This drives me insane.

Reading: The third book in this trilogy, which I’ve adored so far. It’s so good!

Watching: I started watching this HBO series when I was deathly ill a few weeks ago. I was wary at getting into something created by the guy behind Lost, one of my all-time favorite TV shows with the worst possible ending ever–and I’m thinking I had good cause to be worried. WTF is going on? I suppose I’ll keep watching to find out, so job well done, I guess?

Listening to: Mumford & Sons. Seems appropriate for January.

Hope you’re having a good start to your year!

Photo by The Lucky Neko on Unsplash