The third Monday of January is often referred to as “Blue Monday,” a term coined in 2005 and popularly linked with feelings of low mood and motivation. Falling on January 20th in 2025, this day is often associated with post-holiday blues, cold and dark winter days, and the pressure of New Year’s resolutions.

By mid-late January, many of us will have failed to complete dry January, started biting our nails or given up the gym, but that really is ok! It has took me many years to realise that true change cannot be forced, simply because it is January. True, meaningful change can be made at any point, at any time. Last year, due to personal circumstances, I decided for my mental wellbeing that a change was needed after teaching for 29 years. It was a job I loved but change was necessary. Working in education, we focus too heavily on term sized chunks of time and work to the next holiday. I made a decision I never saw coming but since then my only ‘resolution’ is to include things in my life which serve me and allow me to be me. 

So if you have not managed to keep the promises you made on the 1st Jan, don’t beat yourself up. Give yourself a break and if you want to make a change… there’s always another day!

Pay day not quite there yet? 

We all overspend in December and then spend January playing catch up. I get it! But anxiety over money worries is normal but not worth the sleepless nights. There are lots of things that can bring us joy which aren’t expensive. 

Have a walk out and see something new in nature. 

Listen to some music or a podcast you had been promising to listen to, whilst you stomp round the block or as you are trying to drop off!

Read a book from your childhood or revisit those classic TV programmes from your youth! I defy anyone to not laugh at an episode of Only Fools and Horses! 

Have a selling splurge on Ebay/ Vinted etc- its’s a good excuse for a clear out and might make you a few extra pennies. 

And just remember, pay day will come round but worrying won’t make it come any quicker!

Dark starts and early nights.

I don’t know about you the alarm is definitely having to wake me at the minute, as it is sooooo dark out there! Then by the end of the working day, it is dark again.

Obviously, we would ideally swan off to warmer climbs over Winter but this isn’t always possible and we can try to embrace the season.

For me, the dark nights may be long but it is a good excuse for PJs on, fire lit and getting cosy on the sofa. Many people still have some sparkly lights out, a remnant from Christmas, but for me, I light a candle and immediately feel brighter. Who doesn’t benefit from a night just chilling and the dark nights give us a reason to do this. I love my ‘smile’ lamp and it cheers me up every time I enter my bedroom. 

Also, the buds of spring are emerging which always comes surprisingly early I think. February is the shortest month and then March means spring is well and truly on its way!

Don’t burst the positivity bubble!

I vividly remember a comment once made by a colleague that I was at times ‘annoying positive’! I was really quite stunned and later offended, as I am not sure positivity can ever be described as annoying!

Given some of life’s challenges. I still retain my ‘glass half-full’ status, but clearly have had many moments where the glass was drained dry. This is part of life’s rich tapestry and no one can be positive all the time, but there is a reluctance from me to accept others’ negativity. In fact, the older I get, the more I will ‘fight’ it actively with positivity and will not give it an audience.

Numerous studies have been conducted on the positive impact on physical as well as mental health, of adopting a positive outlook.

It’s not ‘rocket science’ but:

• If you expect the day to be gloomy, it is likely that this will be manifested.
• If you feel you will fail a test/ exam, your efforts to pass or succeed will be significantly minimised.
• If you feel there is no point in going out, because rain is forecast, then you will miss the chance of glimmers of sunshine.

Try to surround yourself with people who top up your glass and not ‘mood hoovers’ who drain the fun out of everything! 

Image courtesy of Postively Present 

Blog written by Jo Gotheridge  19/01/26