THE month of January can sometimes seem a little depressing and quite often a bit boring after all the fun and festivities of Christmas and New Year.

Personally, I always try to turn a negative into a positive and so in January I find it’s actually a great time to reflect on the previous year and make my plans for this new one as I look ahead to what I hope will be an exciting year.

I’ve continued to say yes to things I would normally not entertain and after last week’s gong bath, I have now signed up to a mindfulness and relaxation course with my Val in Davyhulme.

With so much going on in our busy lives I think it’s important to take time out this year and just be still.

I think it’s important to look after yourself and, in 2020, I am making sure I do just that.

Also, after the bank balance taking a bashing over the Christmas period, I’m looking at all the things I can do in January that are either free or won’t cost the earth and there’s a lot to choose from!

For instance there are free, regular, lunchtime concerts at the Royal Northern College of Music that are out of this world!

Check their website for dates and times. Val and I will be attending some of these and will also be visiting the museums in Manchester which are also a great way to enjoy your day without spending a lot.

I’m also a big fan of having a ‘great night in’ as opposed to a ‘great night out’.

Staying in is the new going out! Whether it’s just us or we have company join us for the evening it’s great to chat, relax, eat and drink and all at a fraction of the cost it would be if we went out. Try it and I’m sure you’ll agree that staying in can be great fun!

I love film nights too and I look forward to watching some great films this year.

I love all kinds of genres of film so there’s always plenty to choose from. I’m also looking forward to some games nights where I will no doubt get thrashed by my family at everything from Manchester Monopoly to backgammon.

This new year I’m also planning a ‘tour’ of the USA, and I don’t mean America, I mean Urmston, Stretford and Altrincham and anywhere else in Trafford for that matter.

I want to do some local singing performances and I am starting off at Mulino Italian restaurant in Urmston on January 16 at 8pm. I hope to see some of you there!

There are lots of places around Trafford where I haven’t sang yet so I’d like to remedy that this year.

I will keep you posted on times, dates and locations.

So, January isn’t as depressing and boring as it might seem.

I hope you like my ideas to brighten up this cold and rainy month and if you can think of any other things for me to do or try with my ‘say yes’ resolution, let me know and I’m sure our readers would love to hear about it. E mail me at devlinbookings@aol.com

See you all next week!