On Blue Monday
It’s Blue Monday. The “experts” say that a day like today is when all things crash together – bills coming in, weather being gray, and spring still being two months out. And to be honest, I’ve got a general annual January pattern: come off the Christmas/New Year’s high – and then wonder what I’m doing with my life. It has something to do with being tired after the holidays, a little to do with putting away all the extra cozy sparkly Christmas decorations, and a lot to do with the weather.
But really? I know it’s going to pass. A gloomy month turns into Valentine’s month, and then into Spring, which is my favourite. We’ve been given the gift of seasons, friend. I’m embracing the gift!
In our house, we have a saying that we repeat regularly. In fact, our girl could tell you it verbatim, I’ve had her repeat it after me so often. I need to remind myself about it on my own Blue Monday's:
A bad hour, does not mean it’s a bad morning.
A bad morning, does not mean it’s a bad day.
A bad day, does not mean it’s a bad week.
A bad week, does not mean it’s a bad month.
A bad month, does not mean it’s a bad year.
We need to remind ourselves of this regularly because seriously, a bad 6:30–8:30 AM weekday timeframe can feel like it’s going to wreck a whole school day and work day. We get to choose if it does, though. We can reframe our personal “Blue Mondays," whenever they occur, by reminding ourselves that God works so well in the dark. Spring bulbs prove that.
And we need to do our part, too. It is my experience that we can actually act ourselves into right thinking. Not by frantically trying our best, but intentionally, wisely, and thoughtfully being kind to ourselves and others.
It’s a mindful practice that actually lives out Jesus’ command to “love your neighbour as yourself,” and I’ve seen it be a helpful tonic for my Blue Mondays (or grey seasons.) See, when I get in that Eeyore state, my mind can turn to navel-gazing, and from there to resentment, crankiness and a withdrawing from others. An Ontario winter doesn’t help much either, when it’s so cold you don’t actually want to open your door to others. It’s so good when we do though, friend.
I’ve pulled together a few ideas for you – fifteen of them, actually. Fifteen easy ways to show up. To listen well. To speak kindness into the lives of others. To use what is in your hands to love others. My suggestion is to pick a few of these that feel achievable, and something that you can do this week – if that’s too much, start with one.
Download my list of 15 Easy Ways to Spread Kindness by clicking here.
I’d love to know what you do to spread a little kindness on a Blue Monday or even on a regular Tuesday. Your ideas can help me show up better in my own world. Let’s start together.