Apparently tomorrow is ‘Blue Monday’. A phrase coined to describe the midpoint in January where we should all be feeling a bit meh. Like we’re given permission to feel like crap. Gee thanks.
However, the factors involved in this descriptor are based around some pretty innocuous things such as;
“It’s Monday, and everyone hates Mondays”. Not entirely true. If you woke up next to the love of your life who brought you tea and almond croissant in bed, then your Monday could be starting pretty well.
”It’s cold and dark and ruddy freezing”. Yeah, it’s Winter. Not everyone hates it. And we get through several more miserable weather Mondays in December, or February.
”It’s ages until payday”. We reach a midpoint of every month, so we should be used to the length of time between paychecks by now. Of course, we all have times where our finances have been stretched a bit too far, but generally we know how much we have coming in and how much needs to go out, and we can plan from there.
In other words, there are a stream of reasons given as to why people should dread this time of year. But when we look at those reasons and start to question how true they are, we may actually find that those same excuses could be used at other times, rather than pinpointing why one particular day is so special.
Isn’t this also true when we’re trying to look for reasons not to do something, or thinking of ways that something won’t work. In other words, if you look for a reason to be blue, then you’re likely to find one. But that doesn’t make it true.
And sometimes it’s easier to give off an excuse, rather than look at our own shortcomings. Because that might involve some work. Or we might find that actually we could be productive or successful at something, but right now we’re just too lazy or unmotivated to try. Ouch, right?
So next time you notice that your thoughts or language are veering towards doom and gloom, ask yourself ‘how true is this really?’. And if those thoughts are stemming from the noise that surrounds you, consider whether you want to listen to it.
Be brave enough to ask yourself the uncomfortable questions. And certainly don’t allow other people to dull your mood, life’s challenging enough!
However your Monday turns out…just don’t call it blue.
Photo by Sophie Elvis on Unsplash