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It’s cold and dark. The financial impact of Christmas hits you. The New Year Resolutions are so much harder than you first thought. The weekend’s rest bite is over and it’s the start of a long, old week. AND this year, we get all of this on top of the COVID pandemic and a third national lockdown.
This upcoming Monday is annually referred to as Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year.
Given that Blue Monday 2020 was before the official pandemic and mass global coronavirus outbreak, in hindsight, it probably wasn’t the most depressing day of 2020! No lockdowns or restrictions, and a “pandemic” was just something that happened in a horror film!
Last Blue Monday, we explored how our frame of mind influences our mood in January and that during this time of year we are encouraged to be miserable. Well, after 2020 and the continuing pandemic, we need no encouragement.
What we do need encouragement to do right now is look at the positives and celebrate the wins, however small!
INCREASED HIRING ACTIVITY
According to the REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation), in December 2020, there were 1.77 million active job adverts in the UK. This was a 10.5% increase from December 2019.
While this doesn’t apply to all industries, with leisure, entertainment and hospitality struggling in particular, it does offer much hope for many other candidates.
The healthcare and construction industries have grown significantly, and many businesses in the commercial sector, which initially struggled, have increased hiring activity.
VACCINE ROLL OUT
So much sooner than originally thought possible, an NHS approved vaccination is being administered across England which is a major breakthrough.
We have still got a long way to go, but it’s a significant step. And we’ve got so many extraordinary medical, science and healthcare professionals to be eternally grateful to.
KEY WORKERS
We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again and again and again, but THANK YOU to our phenomenal key workers!
To those on the frontline in hospitals, emergency services, supermarkets, food factories, pharmacies and care homes! You’ve kept us going.
No matter how dark the days feel, keep in mind the struggles and pressure those people have faced, and if you’re in the same boat, then take so much pride in all you’ve done.
SPRING IS ON THE HORIZON
A primary reason why this period is so difficult is due to the colder and more dangerous weather conditions. It is medically proven to worsen people’s moods and it can be a serious condition for some.
Frost and snow can be ever so beautiful, but for those who do not have the luxury of staying at home, they can be ever so dangerous and miserable.
Although we shouldn’t wish away the time we have, this is a daunting winter and we’re nearly through it being at the January halfway mark and with February being such a short month.
The evenings will be lighter, the weather will be warmer and the daffodils will spring from nowhere!
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Sometimes when there isn’t a lot you can change about a bad situation, having something to appreciate and look forward to can make a huge difference. If you can’t be happy for yourself, be happy for someone else.