Turn your January Blues into January’s old news
Charlie Nadin discusses how to brighten up your January, from stretching Christmas out longer, to making memories with your friends.
For many, January marks a sad start to the new year. The buzz of Christmas has finished, all the bubbly has been greedily guzzled on New Years and suddenly you’re staring down the shotgun barrel of another year of baggage – emotional and physical. The phenomenon is so well observed that it was even declared by Sky Travel in 2004 that the most depressing day of the year fell in January (typically the third Monday of the month). It might be easy to allow yourself to be taken into a general feeling of dullness and lethargy, as the cold, dark nights draw on endlessly. But it’s amazing what a simple change of perspective can do for mental well-being, so I thought it might be fun to share with you some of my coping mechanisms.
I think for many, the biggest dwelling is on Christmas and its passing. I for one adore Christmas and the thought of Christmas suddenly ceasing after Boxing Day always terrified me. Yet the last couple of years, I haven’t struggled half as much. I started to ease myself out of it a bit more, as who’s to say when Christmas ends? Yes, objectively it ends before mid-January, but that hasn’t stopped me listening to Christmas music on the way to seminars. Silly things really do help!
Just a moment to think to yourself, and maybe you will feel a little less blue, even if just for a moment.
You could always turn Christmas leftovers into a project – I had mountains of mincemeat left, so I’ve been cycling through every recipe I can think of to use it, Christmassy or not, and sitting down with a redolently spiced treat in the evening really does quell the soul. Another thing you can always try is setting yourself challenges or tasks. It’s less a new year’s resolution (though if you’re in the mind for that I’d encourage it) and more a checklist of things you’ve been meaning to do. Think how many gifts you receive at Christmas that just go unused and neglected. Maybe it can be your mission to finally use absolutely EVERYTHING you got under the tree last year.
And if it’s the New Year’s partying that you’re missing, you’re at Uni! Grab your closest friends and make the most incredible night of your lives. It’s a frame of mind, not a date or time. Which leads me to the most important thing: whatever you do, make sure to allow time in the day for yourself. And that can be as simple as having a nice hot drink in the evening to chase the chilly winds away. Just a moment to think to yourself, and maybe you will feel a little less blue, even if just for a moment.
Whatever it is you decide to get stuck into this January, just try to put your best foot forward – it’ll be Spring soon enough anyway.
