Another Colorful Day

It snuck up on me, another special day. It's not the first time it has happened. Sometimes I forget, and end up working through a holiday.

This time it's not really a holiday. The third Monday of January is now being designated "Blue Monday." It's that winter day when people, on average, are at their saddest (bluest).

There are a number of contributing factors. It's colder outside, so folks feel stuck indoors. It's shortly after the celebratory Christmas and Thanksgiving seasons, kind of a letdown. Then there's the money part: The credit card bill has come in that includes all the spending on Christmas gifts.

You've got three options on how to handle Blue Monday. First, you can go with the flow, and just let yourself settle into a deep funk. Let yourself be depressed. This is best known as a 'pity party.' Not a good idea. Depressed people do hurtful things to themselves and others, and many of us know how hard it is to get out of depression.

A second option is to 'grin and bear it.' That is, know that the whole world is going to be in a foul mood, so be prepared to be especially understanding, and do all you can to sympathize.

The best option, in my opinion, is to be aggressive. Fight against this crazy holiday. Do something especially fun, even if you don't really feel like it. Throw yourself a Blue Monday Party, maybe even invite friends. Tell everybody to wear shades of blue, and ice a cake with blue icing.

After all, it's sad to waste a holiday!