After the bustle of the end of the year, January is a perfect month to snuggle in and recharge your social battery. Of course, getting lost in a good library book is a favorite introverted activity of ours, but there are many other ways to enjoy quality alone time.
Here are just a few ideas of what to do when you can catch a quiet moment:
Writing lists can be an excellent exercise for the brain. What are your top 10 favorite movies? Your favorite words of all time? Memorable places you’ve visited or would like to visit? The best meals you’ve ever eaten? There is really no limit to what you can make into a list.
One great way to categorize your thoughts and experiences is by using a bullet journal. A bullet journal comes with pages that have grids of dots on them, making it easier to organize your information into sections and lists. Learn more about bullet journaling with this resource:
The Bullet Journal method: track the past, order the present, design the future
Bonus list tip: did you know that you can save a list of what you’ve checked out at the library? Just ask a librarian to enable your account to remember your reading history, and a list will be saved from that point on.
CCPL’s online database collection is a perfect way to delve into mountains of interesting browsing content. Want to pour over original design plans for the city of New Orleans? You can find those and much more in the Library of Congress’ digital collections. Interested to learn about reliable air fryers? Use your library account to access Consumer Reports, and you can continue as far down that path of exploration as you wish. If you don’t have a library account, you can sign up for a virtual card from the comfort of your home without needing to involve human interaction. There’s something for everyone in CCPL’s online resources!
Tea, coffee, hot chocolate–a warm beverage can drive away a wintry chill.
Here’s a recipe for hot turmeric milk that’ll be sure to keep you cozy:
- 2 cups milk (almond milk creates a nice sweet taste, but you can use any kind)
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- ½ tsp ginger powder
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- A pinch of black pepper
Simply add each of these ingredients to a small saucepan on a stove, and heat on low to medium heat for around 10 minutes, or until the spices have heated through. Enjoy this warming and healthy beverage in a big mug!
Looking for more inspiration? Check out CCPL’s catalog to find books like this one:
The coffee book : barista tips, recipes, beans from around the world
With your cozy drink in hand and maybe a candlelit if you have one, get as comfortable as possible and turn to Hoopla for recordings of masterpieces of classical music. Not sure where to begin? Here are several beautiful works for starters, each available through Hoopla:
- “Symphony No. 9, From the New World” by Antonín Dvořák
- “The Lark Ascending” by Ralph Vaughan Williams
- “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor” by Sergei Rachmoninoff
- “Symphony No. 1 in D Major” (also known as the “Titan Symphony”) by Gustav Mahler
These are only examples, and there are many other ways you can step back from a busy schedule and reconnect with yourself. The bottom line is that you’ll thank yourself!
