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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Anyone else hate January?

42 replies

Sunset999 · 05/01/2022 16:08

Its such a depressing month after all the nice Christmas build up, cold dark mornings, nothing exciting going on, spring seems a long way off, money tight after Christmas.
My only saving grace is thanks to the pandemic I am working at home, so no going back to the office, always had that dread after the Christmas hols.

OP posts:
Waxonwaxoff0 · 05/01/2022 16:11

I don't mind January so much. February is worse for me, it feels like it's been winter forever and I just want spring to arrive!

2Gen · 05/01/2022 16:18

YANBU! I've always hated January too, ever since I can remember, for the same reasons as you. I hate it less now I'm old though because I'm not so bothered about going out and don't work outside the home. I used to hate that long wait between the payday just before Christmas to the January payday too, mainly because most of my mates would be too skint to go out too and even if I did go out, which I did, the pubs and clubs wouldn't be as lively because so many people over-spend for Christmas.
I hated going back to school for Spring Term more than going back after any other holiday too; as you say, nothing to look forward to but short, grey, miserable days and no holiday for what seems like eons at that age! I'd get a small bit depressed and wouldn't really start to cheer up until half-term!

Comedycook · 05/01/2022 16:22

I'm always thrilled Christmas is over and kids are back to school...we've also already had the shortest day in December so amount of daylight is slowly increasing. I'm usually skint in January but have been very careful recently so it's been ok. I don't mind it

MelonTits · 05/01/2022 16:24

I have always liked January but I see it as hibernating time - staying in, eating well, frugal spending, and lots of relaxing time, hobbies etc. It’s the right time of year for that!

Thethreecs · 05/01/2022 16:24

Absolutely hate January. It's so cold, dreary, wet. I miss my Christmas decorations. The house feels dull. Every doctor, hospital and therapist all decide they want to see dd. 3 appointments next week, 4 the following. Back to stupid school lunches, kids boring routines back, fixed meal times, going to bed early. I love the holidays., so relaxing and not restricted.

Rubyupbeat · 05/01/2022 16:30

Wouldn't use the word hate, but it is a miserable month, nothing seems to be happening either.

Horst · 05/01/2022 16:34

Just it’s just cold dark and boring. Only thing to look forward to is spring which is so so far away. Standing out in the cold on the school run in horrible everyone’s cold and miserable.

fizzypop100 · 05/01/2022 16:39

I love January. The peace after Christmas. But I dislike summer

Original poster
Sunset999 · 05/01/2022 16:40

I decided to book a hotel stay for dh and I to brighten it up.....................

OP posts:
cptartapp · 05/01/2022 16:41

Yes always. It's my birthday at the weekend. A milestone one too. Not feeling it at all.

Abracadabra12345 · 05/01/2022 16:42

@fizzypop100

I love January. The peace after Christmas. But I dislike summer
^ This
SandrasAnnoyingFriend · 05/01/2022 16:43

I often do but I've found a weird lease of life this week.
Im running before work and feeling more positive than I have in ages. Feel like I've got a fresh start.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 05/01/2022 16:50

January last year was fucking awful with lockdown so I'm going to embrace this January!

winniebago17 · 05/01/2022 16:51

I have a love/hate relationship with January.

Love - my birthday, usually start better lifestyle habits eg eating healthier, evenings getting lighter.

Hate - not many social events happen due to people being skint after Xmas, cold weather (only bad for me if it's wet!)

Holothane · 05/01/2022 16:53

4.30 and not pitch black so pleased so slowly the nights are getting lighter week by week get into next week that January half done I always feel better when January is done. I too hated going back after Christmas holidays especially boarding school.

IpanemaPeaHen · 05/01/2022 16:56

It’s not a popular month but I like it. Feels calm and I like having the whole year ahead of me. By the end of the month it’s noticeably lighter in the evenings (where I am).

EdinaMonsoon · 05/01/2022 16:56

I have a birthday mid-January but despite having this to look forward to every year, I have still always found it a miserable, never-ending month. Nobody ever wants to celebrate a January birthday with you; and if you do venture out there's no atmosphere in bars/restaurants because everyone is either broke, on a diet, doing veganuary/dry January and basically making themselves miserable in the process Grin

Having read @MelonTits response though I wonder if I should mentally reframe January? I always look forward to autumn because I imagine it's going to be a time for slowing down, spending time reading/indoor hobbies, lazy evenings chatting with DH/DC etc but in reality September to December just flies by and all opportunity for relaxing cosy nights has disappeared. Whereas January is the ultimate slow down month. I find the term "self care" a bit wanky but it really is the perfect description for how this month could look. An extension of the festive season but without the stress, expense or never ending to-do list.

EmmaStone · 05/01/2022 17:01

I find October and November much worse - the days getting so short, and knowing a long winter is ahead. Then December you get swept along in the Christmas stuff.

January, the shortest day is over, snowdrops start peeking out, the garden is slowly waking up, it's busy at work, can get stuck into exercise and good food without anyone trying to push more chocolate on you lol.

And then February - only 28 days, hurrah!

March - we're properly in Spring, it's all starting to look up. Grin

speakout · 05/01/2022 17:04

Love it- sorry.

I love the clean starkness after the festive period. Tidy clean house, quiet house, no pressure, more time to self nurture and unwind. Still of the hygge of winter time, but without the expectation, rushing about and excess of christmas. Time to read, cosy nights, little socialising, simple food, tea and books. A little quiet preparation for Imbolc ( I am pagan) at the start of February, but that is low key.
I can wear my thick knits and nordic socks.
I love January.

GTAlogic · 05/01/2022 17:04

Yanbu. I'm usually fairly busy with work in January so money isn't always as much of an issue as it could be (I get paid weekly) and it's a much less expensive time of year than December so I don't hate it for those reasons. It is obviously very cold though and I hate having to go out on frosty mornings and scrape the car before setting off. Also, although the days are gradually getting longer it's still dark when I get up and dark when I come home so I end up feeling like I never see daylight and that makes me feel a bit depressed. I find January boring too because there's nothing to do and I hate going for walks in crap weather.

Flowersandhearts · 05/01/2022 17:05

I quite like it! Unlike November, the days are getting longer and lighter. There's Spring to look forward to. If you miss the cosiness of Christmas then you can always put up some fairy lights (maybe until Candlemas in February?) and keep up habits like watching relaxing films with hot chocolate and a warm blanket.

I hope you have a lovely night away with your DH.

EssexLioness · 05/01/2022 17:14

Yes, although February is even worse… dark nights and the weather is usually even colder by then. I get really down mid Jan- end Feb every year (suspect SAD).
My birthday is beginning of January but even that feels miserable. Within less than 2 weeks, I have Christmas, New Year and my birthday. Most people are too skint/ on a diet/ fed up of socialising by then so celebration options are limited. And I feel that because it is so soon after Christmas, things like a meal out/ box of chocolates just don’t feel like a treat anymore cos I have indulged over Christmas.
I really really hate feeling cold too so find myself staying indoors and moping around, unsure what to actually do with my spare time. I do like reading so I am going to try and carve out more time for that this year.

DressingPafe · 05/01/2022 17:24

I love January, it's a "fresh" new year and it means Spring is on it's way! It's also DD's birthday near the end of Jan and we usually do something special for that.

DerektheGoose · 05/01/2022 18:04

Well where I live it's been beautifully sunny and still - could really feel the warmth in the sun this morning sat outside in just a thin top (I'm in England btw not 0Z!)

DinkBoo · 05/01/2022 18:11

I love/hate it.

It's my birthday (today!) and noone ever wants to do anything for it, including me really, as it is too close to Christmas, and everyone is broke, on a diet, fed up of celebrations, just back at work etc etc... I rarely even have a birthday cake as who wants to have loads of left over cake around right now? (we still have Christmas cake to eat)

I looked at my Facebook memories and the last time I did anything for my birthday was 7 years ago, and that really stood out as unusual at the time.

But I love the cosy clothes, winter walks, spotting snow drops and primroses, the quieter streets and shops, and the feeling of hibernation. I have forced bulbs and some cyclamen indoors so it feels like the first flowers of the year are here. The only downside is getting excited about spring then realising how far away it actually is Blush

Our Christmas decorations are all down, but have been replaced with other types of fairylights etc which will stay up until Candlemas to offset the dark days and lack of cheer.