This year – Blue Monday will occur on January 19, 2026. Instead of feeling blue – let’s celebrate Blue Monday.
Read more: Five Ways to Turn Blue Monday AroundIt’s that time of year again. In this part of the world, the snow is falling and skies are grey. The holidays are over, and we are feeling a little grumpy, even though we are happy and grateful to stay inside keeping warm. I have re-written/updated last year’s post about Blue Monday. Hope you are not feeling Blue!
Blue Monday Meaning
What is Blue Monday? Every year a day known as Blue Monday arrives on the third Monday in January. It is supposed to be the day that we are feeling at our lowest following our Christmas holiday season. Please don’t worry…… it’s not real. It’s actually a made-up date – which was originally published by a UK travel company in 2005, and has been re-used by many companies in stories and press releases.
Cliff Arnall
The story is that Cliff Arnall (at the time a Postgraduate Dental & Medical Tutor in Psychology), coined the phrase Blue Monday which was used in a press release by Sky Travel in the UK. (To promote travel of course!)
It makes perfect sense though – that we (me included) should be feeling a little blue in the middle of January. For us, the holidays are over, my young adult children have wandered back to their day to day lives, and oh yes – there’s that cold and flu season going on, – and the weather is miserable and cold.
Therefore, I have a proposal to make: Let’s celebrate on Blue Monday!
Five Ways to Celebrate Blue Monday
I suggest then that we should use Blue Monday as a time to turn things around just a little. I propose that we should celebrate Blue Monday every year by doing the following things:
- 1. Eat the leftover Christmas Cake and Cookies
(Part of Blue Monday is feeling guilty for having over-consumed during the holidays, but today it is perfectly OK to just finish off these items. It’s too late to serve them to company now!)
- 2. Open any Christmas gift baskets you thought were too nice to open
(Some of us receive those fancily wrapped gift baskets, and they are just too nice to open. It’s OK, just open them, they will only gather dust and they were meant for you to enjoy.)
- 3. Open that box of Chocolates or bottle of Wine that your neighbour gave you that you were going to re-gift
(None of these lasted around my house, but if you were saving to re-gift the time has passed. Go ahead enjoy)
- 4. Light that gift candle or use the soap you put away for a special occasion
(Some people love and use gift candles and soaps, some people just find them too frivolous. You might as well enjoy them – but be careful with the candles please!)
- 5. Spend those points, airmiles, or Bonus bucks
I bet you don’t know how many grocery store, hotel, airline or gas station points you really have – and did you receive any small coffee gift cards? Dig those up too.
Don’t save them forever. You know those points companies are hoping you will get too old to spend your points, so don’t do that. Make a plan! Maybe Blue Monday should be re-named Spend the Points Day).
Take it Easy
Get busy with some of those hobbies that you enjoy. Personally, I am starting seeds indoors – getting ready for my spring gardening! We’ve also been busy baking and perfecting our sourdough!
You might be tempted to purge your closets, organize things, or start a diet and exercise program – because we all feel pressured to do that in January. Skip that for today and just enjoy what is!
Gift Ideas for Blue Monday?
“Gifts for Blue Monday” you say? Is that really a thing? Well it seems to be – but it shouldn’t be. Last year, this post brought in a number of people from Google looking for Blue Monday gift ideas. I feel that gifts are not something we need more of! This time of year is all about recovering from and relaxing after the excesses of the holidays – so you don’t need to worry about even more gifts! If you really feel you need to give gifts on Blue Monday – I’d say give some flowers, buy some seeds, even blue flowers – or send a nice note! Better still, visit or phone someone you care about.
Please don’t make it another commercialized “Hallmark” holiday!
Another Take on Blue Monday
I agree with the statement: “Let’s use social media for support and positive vibes”
Turn Blue Monday around and have some fun today. Stop and smell the roses. Blue Monday is not a real holiday after all – and it should not be!
BLUE MONDAY FAQS:
Blue Monday is often referred to as the “most depressing day of the year” and usually falls on the third Monday of January. The concept originated from a marketing campaign in the early 2000s rather than scientific research, but it gained popularity because many people experience lower energy and mood during this time of year.
No, Blue Monday is not scientifically proven. There is no reliable evidence that one specific day is more depressing than others. However, seasonal factors like reduced daylight, colder weather, and post-holiday stress can affect how people feel in January.
Many people feel low due to a combination of factors such as disrupted routines after the holidays, financial pressure, lack of sunlight, and unmet New Year’s resolutions. These feelings are common and often temporary.
Simple actions can help lift your mood, including getting outside during daylight hours, staying active, connecting with others, and setting small, achievable goals. Focusing on self-care and enjoyable activities can make a positive difference.
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https://equipoiselife.wordpress.com/2020/01/20/blue-monday/
I am posting a link to your 2020 post in the body of my post! Thanks for sending the link!
Obviously it hit a nerve with me. My birthday is around this time of year and it’s hard to think how much people in general hate January and then some poor random Monday ends up being the brunt of a travel campaign.
Hope you had a happy Birthday Bernie!
I got sunshine and a river walk with my son, daughter in law and my husband so that was special enough.
I feel exactly like you do. Let’s turn it around. Thanks for the encouragement.
I get it. I’m trying to close out the year, and it keeps snowing, everyone has decided they want more and more of my time but nothing left to give! Winter weather keeping me from getting work done. Ahhhhhh (home alone scream). But it’ll be ok! I spent my Amazon points yesterday;I opened the bottle of wine, and I might go light the candle. I had the cheesecake last night. Ha!
It’s still snowy here! Hope you are doing OK, and I wish I had some cheesecake!
I think celebrating Blue Monday with blue flowers is perfect.
Blue flowers have me dreaming of spring.
Blue is Blue Heartaches and Heartaches ..la la la ..Thanks for this great idea …Red Roses
Thank you for the musical inspiration!!
I had never heard of “Blue Monday” until a few days ago. I like your version much better. Here’s to Un-blue Monday.
Thank you Margaret!
Thank you Margaret. Here’s to spring coming soon and un-blue Mondays!
Another idea to combat the blue days following the holidays would be to book a short respite to the Gulf coast of Florida. Read my upcoming blog and you might understand . why.
I enjoyed your post about St. Pete’s. We haven’t been there in years, and it’s definitely time!
Have you been to DeSoto State Park?
I have not – is it in Alabama? I have not yet been to Alabama. Is it a good place to visit?
It’s near St. Petersburg, Florida
Nice, it’s the simple things that make a difference.
Thank you!
love it! I do think there is some truth to some blueness during January – this is why we keep our xmas tree up till Feb. LOL.
I’m still getting rid of the pine needles today!
Lovely, absolutely lovely.
Thank you!
Great post! Thanks for checking out my blog recently! I hope you enjoyed it!
I did Ena! I really liked your 30 Day Self Confidence Challenge! It’s all positive and easy to do!
Blue Monday is new to me. I agree, we are already in mid-January. We need to kick up our feet, dance. Spring will be here soon!
I dream of spring!
Me too! I can hear the bird chirp and see the beautiful flowers already! Chicago, our weather improved, now 5 degrees. LOL
Beautiful
Thanks!
Just like last year I am with you all the way on this! Gifts– WTF?? Seriously? Sure I will take one ok the 16th for Mt 65th birthday- LOL!! 🤣
Happy Birthday! Woo Woo! Sorry I didn’t send you a gift – hope you had a great day!
Keep celebrating each day – Blue Monday is a great day so let’s make it extra special!
Agreed! Hope you had a great Blue Monday!
Great job of thinking of ways to make the dark days of winter lighter for yourself and others.☮️
Thanks for stopping in Ali! Enjoy the winter!
Great post, love your ideas 🙂
Thank you Cynthia! Happy January!
Tax day is my Blue Monday😂
Where I came from in South Africa we would call every Monday a blue Monday when adults didn’t feel like going back to work or children didn’t want to go to school. I’ve learnt something new about blue Monday. It makes more sense that January is the coldest time of the year, unlike in the Southern hemisphere I celebrated my birthday in the sun, hiking, swimming and having barbecues. Now living in Scotland I am still adjusting to celebrating it in snowy January. I love your idea of celebrating blue Monday with gifts or using up Christmas presents.
I just loved the positivity that coms from rethinking.