Give yourself a break from the January blues

Laal Charlie the Terrier on one of his last proper mountain walks in the snow. Photo by Neil Irwin

Monday was, apparently, the most miserable day of the year in the UK.

In 2005 a clever PR campaign published an equation for working out the most depressing day of the year and concluded it fell on the third Monday in January, or Blue Monday as it has come to be known.

Although the actual scientific basis for this seems to be zero the name has stuck, probably because it actually sounds quite plausible.

This is, after all, the time of year when the dark nights and cold weather seem to drag on endlessly and the relief of the Christmas holidays recedes all too quickly into the past.

It’s also a period when we all look forward to what we’re going to achieve in the coming year.

We vow to cut down on our drinking, go to gym, spend more time with our kids; but suddenly January is nearly over and you find you’ve already reneged on some of those good intentions.

That’s why I think it’s really important to remember to give yourself a break to try and beat the January blues.

As helpful as it is to set clear goals for what you want to achieve, you are unlikely to be able to tick them all off in the space of a month.

‘Start as you mean to go on’ is a well-used cliche, but this doesn’t mean you’re a failure if you don’t begin the year in exactly the way you imagined. In fact, putting more pressure on yourself is only likely to make you give up altogether.

This is definitely true in my case. If I, and the people around me, had given up on my recovery at the first sign of difficulty I would not be where I am today.

Five-and-a-half years ago I was only just beginning the process of leaving a life of alcoholism behind me.

I had moved back to Cumbria, had little plan of what I would do with my future and no job. I was all over the place mentally as I experienced withdrawal from alcohol and cigarettes, seeking redemption for my past actions and trying to restore my body after obesity and self-destruction.

Smiling despite it being my last day at this fabulous business

When I first learned Joanne and Andrew at Grasmere Gingerbread® wanted to interview me for a job, after a chat with them whilst I was working at a local café, I initially turned them down.

However, encouraged by their gentle persuasion I eventually applied and got the position. I found temporary accommodation in Grasmere before being helped to find a long term rental in Ambleside.

I was able to build a base and routine in a new area with instant access to the fells for my recovery and enjoyment. This job provided so much more than just a salary, it provided the roots for my new life to grow.

Last week I did my last shift at Grasmere Gingerbread® and have now turned my attention to going freelance full time.

Without the support I needed to settle into a new life things could have been very different.

Having people around who are willing to take the time to listen and to care has meant the world to me.

So maybe the best new year’s resolution we can all make is not just to give ourselves a break, but to look out for each other as well.

We can all surprise ourselves with what we can achieve. It might not happen straight away but together we can get there in the end.