A few years ago, a friend encouraged me to do #joyfuljanuary: posting a gratitude post for the 31 days in January. She now has about 50 friends joining her, filling their social feeds with positivity for January. And she is not the only one promoting a little cheer in what has become known as a “blue” month – the hashtag can be found across platforms and industries, gaining popularity every year.
Is January Blue?
The past 15 years have seen Brits talk about #bluemonday, on the third Monday in January. I doubt many know the origin sits with a travel company who created the day as a ploy to promote holiday booking. People genuinely believe it is a scientific statement and of course, if we say it often enough then so it will be! The truth is a very clever, and successful marketing campaign to boost the tourist industry.
There is no doubt it is hard in January. The numbers are all wrong. The scales have gone up, the bank balance down. The days until payday seem never-ending, and our social diaries are empty after the festivities of the month before. This January is strange with is covid over or not, was it a party or a meeting, risk of war, energy prices, and political unease.
Positive Thinking
I am aware that my joyful posts have a mixed response. Some friends roll-eye and mutter about smugness and vomit-inducing positivity. Others message me to say that it has cheered them up and made them look at their day differently. I started to support the friend who asked me. Now I do it because it helps me. I’d like to think it cheers (some) others too. And for those who think it is twee, or smug, sorry (not sorry).
This year I decided to complete the challenge on Insta instead of FB. That was a game-changer, and to be honest an approach I won’t be repeating.
This is what I learnt:
1. Challenge is a great description. Finding 31 different things to be joyful for in days of home working and dank weather is tough. My life can be like Groundhog Day. Being grateful for 31 DIFFERENT things when most days are spent working at the kitchen table, cooking tea, and watching boxsets. It is January!
2. Insta is a tough platform as every single day I needed a photo to reflect my joyfulness. I have sat on the stairs at 1030pm desperate for bed, trying to think what I can photograph, determined not to miss a day. I’ve regretted not taking a photo of the malted custard tart with poached pear I had just eaten on an evening out (if in doubt, always follow the Insta “rule” of food photos) whilst searching my photos for something, anything, I could post to accompany my sentiments of the day.
3. A 31-day social media challenge in real-time is not how I am used to working. I schedule my work social media three months in advance and my personal social media whenever I get the urge. Committing to posting every single day, in real-time, reflecting the day’s activities, thoughts and mood was revolutionary.
4. A Border Terrier (other breeds are available) is a great filler when all other inspiration fails.
5. I fibbed. There were days when I was joyful and grateful that I had survived. That the day was over. That the tasks of the day were ticked off. But that didn’t quite feel in the spirit of it so yep, there are one or two (maybe closer to four or five) days where I put a spin on my joyfulness. There were things I was grateful for but not politically correct, socially acceptable, to be shared things!
6. It made me live in the moment, and reflect on how I had felt that day. I looked for the positives in among the dank weather and shitty days. I had a PollyAnna mindset. Yes, sometimes it was forced, but overall, it has had a positive impact on my mental wellbeing. It has helped me through a challenging month.
7. It’s made me more joyful, more grateful and more positive. Job done.
Try It
Why not give it a go next year? I can promise you that you will learn about yourself, your triggers, and what you value.
And if you spend 31 days being grateful for great desserts and your dog, then so be it.
