Did you know that 20th January 2025 was Blue Monday? No, I’m not talking about the excellent 1983 single by the UK band New Order, rather the third Monday in January, often claimed to be the "most depressing day of the year." It’s an idea that originated from a 2005 marketing campaign by a travel company, which calculated the date using factors like less-than-ideal weather, post-Christmas debt with a week to go until pay day, low motivation, and abandoned New Year’s resolutions.
Of course, this concept lacks scientific basis and is widely regarded as pseudoscience. Critics have argued that it trivialises genuine mental health issues. However, some companies have used Blue Monday as an opportunity to promote self-care, wellbeing, and positive action during the gloomy winter months. Some good examples include The Samaritans and their ‘Brew Monday’ campaign that encouraged people to have a chat over a cuppa to combat loneliness. Moonpig partnered with mental health charity Mind to myth-bust Blue Monday and get people thinking about mental and physical health. And perhaps one of the best, was Innocent Drinks posting on social media, with a tongue-in-cheek tone of voice, that, “Today is #BlueMonday, the most depressing day of the year. Thankfully it isn't real and was just invented by someone in marketing.”
All good examples of what has become an annual, January staple but how about a change of direction? What about, instead of focusing on Blue Monday, it could be reframed as say Bright Monday or Renewal Monday, promoting positivity and self-care. This could serve as an opportunity to celebrate small wins by reflecting on progress made so far in the year, no matter how small. Or the idea of reconnecting by reaching out to friends, family, or colleagues for a mood boost and a sense of community. Perhaps we could focus on what’s going well to counteract the mid-winter gloom, turning the day into a celebration of resilience and hope. Perhaps one for next year?
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