We’re approaching the third Monday of the New Year which has been coined as ‘Blue Monday’ – the most depressing day of the entire year.
According to Blue Monday legislation, in January we are destined to be miserable due to the cold weather, lack of daylight with no Christmas decor to compensate and bank balances that have not yet recovered from the festive financial drain.
For lovers of Christmas or for those lucky enough to enjoy some time off work, January can certainly feel like a bubble (or bauble) has been burst. It is cold, it is dark and our booze, carbs or Netflix binges can no longer be facilitated with the return of our normal schedules.
Hype
Often, the Christmas campaign begins before Halloween. We spend months having the notion that it is the most wonderful time of the year instilled in us, everywhere and anywhere we turn.
But just like the joys of Christmas, is the utter devastation and misery of January also blown out of proportion?
Blue Monday is the day we are supposed to be consumed by our grief for Christmas, the new bills piling up on top of the festive debt and our disbelief that summer will ever come round again. However, have you considered that a huge part of January and Blue Monday being so disheartening, is because we’re told we have to feel sad and hopeless?
Perspective
Financial strain is not exclusive just to January, but there isn’t a campaign telling you not to book a summer holiday. Nor are you forced to reflect on all the money spent over the summer when we enter autumn. Instead, there is pressure to get the Christmas shopping completed and splash out in the Black Friday sales.
The nights begin to creep in earlier from October time and we have over two months to adapt to it, but suddenly in January, it becomes unbearable. The weather is less predictable, but it is a critical reason as to why January is so ‘miserable’. And yet, not so long ago, weeks even, turning out in similar temperatures for trick or treating, firework displays, and Christmas markets was acceptable.
Of course, there was Christmas to look forward to, but January is the time to embrace the new and look forward, not wallow in winter. Make the most of cosy nights in because before you know it spring and summer will be upon us. The first barbeque of the year, swapping the coat for sunglasses and ditching the de-icer for air-con.
Root Cause
If a major cause for your January Blues is returning to work after a break or the dread of another year in the same job – is this actually anything to do with January? There is a major difference between missing a lie in and actually dreading returning to work.
With the overwhelming encouragement to be miserable in January, it can be a confusing time for anyone questioning their job satisfaction. Do you genuinely need to take action to improve your job situation or are you being manipulated by the January Blues?
Solution or Resolution?
We propose that January is not as morbid as the myth. But if your current work, or lack of it, is making you feel blue all year round, Ambitions can help you secure and explore new job and career opportunities.
You have as much of a right to be happy in January as the rest of the year, so don’t let ‘Blue Monday’ dictate otherwise.