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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To wish people wouldn't be so negative about January

148 replies

kingscote · 19/12/2018 10:54

Had somebody already in work going on about how she's dreading January because it will be so boring and she'll have no money to go out and everyone will be off drink etc etc

I bought a magazine yesterday which was the January edition and it was full of dreary articles about diet and exercise.

AIBU to wish people would stop turning January into some kind of national month of sackcloth and ashes?

Yes, some people like to see the start of a new year as a time to make changes. But it's the general going on and on about it in a gloomy and negative way that really gets to me.

OP posts:
Therealjudgejudy · 19/12/2018 11:45

I quite like January. But I won't be broke or heavier either so maybe that's why!

Ifailed · 19/12/2018 11:48

Let’s move Christmas to January. It is for followers of Russian and Greek Orthodox church.

icannotremember · 19/12/2018 11:49

I hate January also. The weather is rubbish, spring is ages away and we no longer have Xmas to look forward to to make up for it being winter. Everyone is broke or doing dry January or has made new year's resolutions that limit their activity or just plan exhausted from December, so no one does want to do much. But tbh I hate winter in general; I live for summer and am in bliss when everyone else is moaning that they're so hot.

LoniceraJaponica · 19/12/2018 11:51

I'm not a big fan of Christmas. It makes me feel sad as other people with bigger and local families, and more friends than we have always have a busy and exciting time. Whereas ours is boring low key and quiet.

I prefer January because it is all over for another year.

Trottersindependenttraders · 19/12/2018 11:56

I quite like January I must admit. I like the new start feeling and by the end of the month, you can see it’s staying lighter a bit longer.

goingonabearhunt1 · 19/12/2018 11:58

I don't get why people do 'dry January', if there was ever a month you need booze it's January Grin

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 19/12/2018 12:04

Statistically, and broadly speaking, it's not a good month for many reasons.

Suicides tend to increase, or always did back when I did some work in this area, because there's less get-togethers and sparkle in the world and people feel lonely and very alone. Of course there are people that are by themselves all year round, but if they want to, there are usually open events at pubs and things to get involved in, and people see their friends and acquaintances more in the festive period. If you then go back to spending most of your time alone, it can be hard.

SAD is a problem because of the short, cold days. It's harder to get into a positive frame of mind.

People are poorer; overall, because it's the biggest gap between paydays if you get paid early and if you use any form of credit to fund Christmas, the statements start to arrive. Even if you don't overspend, people tend to be a bit regretful about money they spent on gifts that they didn't feel were appreciated, when they could do with that £20 back in their pocket.

This year specifically, January will continue to be full of political debates and Brexit, because we're getting closer and closer to March with no solution. It's not, by any means, an easy time of the year.

For some people; it will have mitigating features. A birthday, or a holiday, or people who love January sports like skiing or tobogganing or running will have those things to 'prop' it up a bit; and if you're the type of person who prefers cold, dark days and being cosy inside and you have someone and somewhere to be cosy, you might like it. But overall it is hard.

And that's before all the bollocks about losing a stone or making a resolution to change something massive about yourself.

EssentialHummus · 19/12/2018 12:05

think a lot of it is the consequence of the ever lengthening build up to Christmas which results in this massive crash down to earth when it's all over.

I’d agree with this.

I do get a bit fed up of all the January “I’m broke/fat/cold/hungover/hate my MIL” chat - if you genuinely hate it happening year after year, do something within your power to make it better next year or try to make peace with the fact that you can't so you have less angst. Otherwise it’s just like everyone jumps on the “miserable Jan” bandwagon like the Christmas excess bandwagon, but why do that to yourself?

macarenaferreiro · 19/12/2018 12:10

January is a positive month for me. I don't like Christmas and all the "festivities" so a return to normal is welcome. The days are getting longer. First signs of snowdrops to remind you spring is around the corner.

The worst month is November. Getting darker all month and it's morphed into the tat fest which is Christmas, starting immediately after Halloween.

Dongdingdong · 19/12/2018 12:11

As much as I love Christmas, personally I'm looking forward to January this time round. I like how it's such a quiet month and how there's very little expectation for people to drink or socialise. It's a chance to recharge your batteries and catch up with things after the madness of December.

Bagadverts · 19/12/2018 12:12

If I get vouchers or experiences for Christmas/birthday I try to spread them to use in the parts of the year that are dull/low for me. For example as a single adult I find the summer holidays quite lonely. A lot of activities for adults such as book groups/evening classes stop and people are away.

Homethroughthepuddles · 19/12/2018 12:21

I totally agree EssentialHummus. I think some people almost wallow in the misery of January, determined to make it as dull and dreary as possible, and banging on about how there's 'nothing to look forward to'.

I love Christmas, and I love Summer, but I think it's a bit sad if people see those two events as the only things to lift the year with everything in between being boring and pointless. It's that viewpoint that has people pushing forward the Christmas celebrations until nowadays the minute Hallowe'en is over the decorations are being put up and the shops are in full on Christmas mode.

ILiveInSalemsLot · 19/12/2018 13:22

January and February are the two worst months for me because I hate the cold and darkness but there’s no point in wallowing in the misery of it so I try to organise a few inexpensive outings and get togethers so I have things to look forward to.

PumpkinKitty82 · 19/12/2018 13:27

But January does suck so I’ll say as much.
It’s a long time till pay day , it’s cold and gloomy and all the excitement of Christmas is well and truly over ..

And my god it is a damn long time till summer !

The80sweregreat · 19/12/2018 13:27

I prefer winter time as I hate it too hot! I moan in about heat and everyone shouts me down. January is fine by me!

JustanotherCHRISTMASuser01 · 19/12/2018 13:33

All year round I save £10 a month into a January pot, which allows dh and I a little treat a weekend. Really helps my mood

Lydiaatthebarre · 19/12/2018 13:34

YANBU.

Yes, January is a dark and cold month without the excitement of Christmas to brighten it up.

But going on as if nothing nice can every possibly happen in January, it must be the month where we repent for all the Christmas enjoyment by dieting, giving up alcohol, sitting in every night, and joining the gym and so on and so on just makes it a far drearier month than it needs to be.
Just get on with it and stop moaning.

OutPinked · 19/12/2018 13:35

January blues are a scientifically proven occurrence, it isn’t just a phrase. We are statistically more likely to feel depressed in January.

I blame consumerism. We spend the whole of December gearing up for Christmas and New Year, spending a fortune and enjoying the festivities that January is just a colossal come down. Most people feel forced to over spend at Christmas too so are absolutely broke in January.

AnnabelleLecter · 19/12/2018 14:00

I like two days in January- the 1st of January taking the Christmas decorations down and the 31st of January means it is over.
I like February because we always go on holiday and it is mostly three days shorter than January.

ChocolateTearDrops · 19/12/2018 14:07

I like January. Refreshing not have people say "well it is Christmas!" as they have a drink/biscuit/chocolate. People don't ask "have you finished yet?" about present buying/work/housework blitz etc. Bring January on! Grin

LoniceraJaponica · 19/12/2018 14:14

"I prefer winter time as I hate it too hot!"

I bet you don't have to drive to and from work on dark traffic jammed roads in bad weather Hmm

BumDisease · 19/12/2018 14:39

"I bet you don't have to drive to and from work on dark traffic jammed roads in bad weather"

What's that got to do with anything? I much prefer this time of year to the heat of summer (if summer 2019 is anything like that of 2018 I'm migrating to Antarctica) and yes, I do my fair share of commuting to and from work in cold, dark weather. So?

LoniceraJaponica · 19/12/2018 14:51

"So?"

Because it is stress inducing and a shitty commute. I drive past a very well known shopping mall, and at this time of year the roads are so jam packed that my commute is just awful.

BackBoiler · 19/12/2018 14:52

The sooner its here the better!

BoswellandForshort · 19/12/2018 14:56

February is as cold and miserable as January, except by February you have already endured January. In January you have a sense of a new year and new hope, by February you realise that those resolutions are never going to happen. And the half term in February is the grimmest school holiday that there is

And where I live it pretty much only ever snows in February. I hate snow.

February is absolutely the worst month for me. I see it as the Tuesday of the year: you’ve already endured one awful period of time but you’re still nowhere near the fun times.

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