With Joyful January in full swing, our founder, Ellie, shares her top tips to help you beat and brighten your Blue Monday! From picking up a new hobby to incorporating a little more colour into, well, everything – Ellie’s got you covered.
Ellie’s Top Tips
If you’re feeling a bit unsure about what to expect from Blue Monday this year, don’t worry, you’re not alone! I felt the best place to start was to actually understand why Blue Monday is called Blue Monday….
Reports suggest that the third Monday in January is ‘the most depressing day of the year’. Why? A number of reasons, apparently! First, we’ve just emerged from the festive season, but the excitement of it all is over, and it’s back to reality and back to work. It probably also doesn’t help that it’s a bit cold and grey outside right now, and we haven’t got much money left, having spent it all on lavish gifts for our loved ones. It’s also apparently the time when most of our New Year’s resolutions have started to slip.
So how do we stop Blue Monday getting the better of us?!
I originally created Caleño because I felt that “not drinking” was massively lacking in joy. So my take on it is, if January and Monday’s are seemingly lacking in joy then it only makes sense that we joy-them up a bit, in our very own special way! Below are a couple of my personal top tips for brightening up Blue Monday!
Start a new hobby or project! A new year, a new start…
It sounds cliché, but January is genuinely the most popular month to start a new hobby or project. January 2017 was the month I decided to start a business. What started out as a bit of a pet project, grew and grew and 4 years later I’m still going strong on that idea, so you never know… the hobby you start in January may stay with you for years to come, in the very best way.
Make it a date to look forward to! Plan a pamper night in..
Get a bubble bath going, with some relaxing tunes and a Dark & Spicy cocktail in hand! Maybe you’ve made it to the 3rd week of January, and you want to reward yourself. Well, you deserve it! Personally I’m going to be planning a catch-up with my friends. Whether this be together or virtually, I plan on making it a night to remember; it will help me feel more connected and let off some steam!
Find your source of inspiration!
We all need a bit of joy in our lives come January. 2020 was a tough year, but January 2021 is a chance for a fresh start and a brand new year, so find your sources of inspiration and things that are going to bring a smile to your face. I’m going to seek out positive new stories, and inspiring podcasts to listen to. I’ve recently been loving Holly Tucker’s ‘Conversations of Inspiration’. Caleño is also hosting a series of joyful dance work-outs and cook-alongs to get everyone inspired and up and about, to help fill those darker evenings with joy!
Fill your world with colour!
I don’t know about everyone else, but a bunch of fresh flowers, an inspiration wall, a new Pinterest board or giving that bedroom a new lick of paint?! Find a way to bring a little more colour into your life… trust me it will brighten up your month no end, and you’ll be smiling every time you glance past it.
So what’s next?
Whatever is right for you, just remember that Blue Monday is what you make of it. You have the chance to take control and turn it into a positive this year. Whatever you end up doing, I’d love to hear about it so we can help inspire others to turn Blue Monday into a positive milestone. Give us a shout out at @calenodrinks – we honestly can’t wait to hear what you’ve been up to.
Besos, Ellie
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