“I always find it hard to stay positive at this time of year. It feels like I have nothing to look forward to and it gets dark so early that the days seem just to rush by. Do you have any ideas for how I can make the most of this time of year and avoid ‘the January blues’?”

Emily:

January is sometimes seen as the saddest month. Christmas is over, it’s a new year and you might have resolutions that you’ve already broken; the days seem to end before they’ve even started and summer is both a distant memory and too far in the future to focus on. In some ways however, this is completely your month — do with it what you will.

You could use it for rejuvenation; maybe push yourself to get to a gym or go on long walks. Maybe this is your month to focus on your studies or your future; set realistic, yet exciting, goals for your year — places to go, special events you could book. Don’t let the gloomy weather distract you from the fact that things this year will be different from the last in all the best ways.

“If you needed a reminder that you’re allowed to rest, this is it”

You could also use this time to hibernate. If you needed a reminder that you’re allowed to rest, this is it. Recharge while you can, before things get hectic and you realise that you never watched the next season of Emily in Paris or reconnected with old friends. If you feel like spending all day in a blanket, don’t feel guilty. You won’t be able to wrap up warm and romanticise your morning coffee in the cold when it’s July. January is a reminder that you’ve achieved so much, so take your time, reach out to your loved ones and look forward — spring is only round the corner.

Rosina:

The first few weeks of the year often present a bleak prospect; they mark the return to normality, to essays and supervisions. We can no longer gorge ourselves guilt-free on wine and chocolate, or get away with eating mince pies for breakfast — my personal vice. However, it doesn’t have to be all bad; you can make your own fun. I’m a big believer in finding any excuse for a celebration. Make the most of birthdays and good news and small victories. Get creative and see how many different things you can turn into a special occasion — COVID-permitting, of course!

“Making sure that there’s a highlight of your day will always be worth it”

Being proactive and making plans will enable you to punctuate your week with moments of much-needed joy and light. You can do whatever it is that makes you and the people you care about happy. Making sure that there’s a highlight of your day will always be worth it, so cook that fabulous dinner for yourself, watch that show, go for that drink, or that walk.

A little organisation can also prevent you from being robbed of time by the lack of daylight. Perhaps adjust your schedule a little to make sure that you’re getting out for some air, and hopefully some winter sunshine. It may feel more difficult than usual to find the things that make you smile, but I urge you to try because they’re still there, I promise.

Nadya:

By its very nature, January is a slightly strange month — on the one hand, it’s the start of a new year and a fresh beginning, but on the other, it marks our return to work after the festivities of December. This transition isn’t always easy and it’s completely natural to feel down-hearted.

In light of this, it’s very important to give yourself things to look forward to. Make time for the things you enjoy — plan a movie night with your friends, read your favourite book in the evening, or go for a prolonged stroll. Be kind to yourself; it’s equally important to accept how you’re feeling and not pressure yourself into constant positivity. Wrap up warm and make sure you’re getting enough rest — stereotypical as it is, it could be helpful to enjoy early nights and wake up a little earlier to catch more daylight.

Many people find this time of year difficult, so know that you aren’t alone in feeling this way. Though it is cold, there is still something bright about the winter sunshine. Enjoy the crisp, fresh mornings while they’re still around to greet us, but remember that the frost will soon melt to welcome a mellow spring, as the weather gets warmer and days get lighter.

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