Serious January blues - anyone else?

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I had my first day back at work today and really struggled to be productive. I actually really like my job (I’m self employed) but have just finished for the day and feel so low. I stupidly put off a load of work last year until January so am now swamped - a mistake I know. I think I’m feeling depressed about getting back to normal after the fun party season. January is just so quiet and depressing - plus I’m expecting a baby this year so can’t even have a drink to take the edge off Has anyone got any tips for surviving the back to work blues and getting through this miserable month?

I feel you OP I’m always miserable in January, I think it’s because all the cheer and excitement of Christmas is over, no more twinkling lights, less money due to longer wait for next pay day (for me at least), rubbish weather 😩

different things work for different people. Do you watch anything like Netflix? Or do you like to read? I find doing something to take your mind off it at the end of the day helps

I feel the same. It's my birthday at the weekend and I just want to curl up and cry to be honest until it's gone by. But more because I know pretty much everyone feels the same, OP. Everyone forgets or is too skint or too fed up to do anything, so now I always feel the same too :(

I really struggle with December and January and it seems to get worse as I get older. I think having something to look forward to on a weekend is a good way to power through the working week. Even if it's just meeting a friend for coffee or going for breakfast at a favourite cafe.

I find planning small things like when I get home tonight I'll watch a film I enjoy and then reminding myself throughout the day helps me focus my mind into being a bit more productive at work.

I hate January, rain, rain and more rain, no money and all the work nobody did in December. I agree we need a project to distract ourselves from the worst month of the year!

I also struggle in january. That's why I don't do resolutions for january. I'm still eating Christmas chocolates and spending far too long in front if the tele, I will gradually get back to eating healthier and moving more, but I don't think I can suddenly change overnight on then1st. It's such a come.down after Christmas and so grey and damp, I still want my 'treats', I don't want to set myself.up for failure

I'm not saying this will help but I always try and think about people that have it a lot worse than me. Usually I think about soldiers in the two wars and their loved ones at home. I don't know why I tend to think about them but after a good old contemplate I always seem to feel glad that I have what I have and feel grateful to those people because they haleped me have what I have.

I'm not saying this will help but I always try and think about people that have it a lot worse than me.

You’re right - I have so much to be grateful for.

Same here. We all but missed Christmas due to illness. All the fun stuff we had planned got cancelled. I still feel like shit (as I have done since 11th December). I’m due to start back at work full time on Monday and I feel utterly miserable. I hate January / it’s so cold and dark and miserable.

Yanbu

Something that has helped me this year came from a mindfulness course work made me go on.

Accept the season - get bundled up and go for a walk in the winter while you’re there cycle through your senses (what can I see?what does it smell like etc) and really “feel” the winter and how you’re a part of it and the world.

Sounds absolutely bonkers but really seems to help.

At the moment, I am ok as I am not back in work until Monday but tomorrow I need to take down the Christmas tree and get sorted for next week. My husband is working away Mon- Wed so I am on my own with DS which adds a layer of complication to things (various people taking/picking him up from school and me rushing home to collect him from them/take him to hobbies etc.)

So I need to make sure things are organised.

It's my dad's birthday this weekend so at a family gathering for that which will be lovely but also means my weekend will be a bit hectic.

I love my job but its hectic and for various reasons, Jan-Apr will be busier than normal plus Jan is so dark/gloomy!

Don't deprive yourself in January.

Keep some twinkly white lights up, watch cosy movies or read books and treat yourself to "treat" foods....

I never do dry January because it is just too depressing.....January is a month of dark gloomy days which needs to be offset with warmth and treats inside!

Try the Action for Happiness calendars - good all year long, but especially in winter:

www.actionforhappiness.org/happy-january

I hate it so much as it is such a come down after Christmas. We are just home from a New Year break today and I feel really low. We have lots of nice plans for weekends through to half term and then another holiday in half term but none of it is as fun as festive stuff! Plus I truly despise my job, it makes me ill with the stress of it all and I feel sick to the stomach at the thought of going back on Monday.

It's not my favourite month, but since I stopped hyping up Christmas and went back to simpler celebrations, January isn't nearly as bad as it used to be.