You can get the blues on any old Monday (From York Press)

You can get the blues on any old Monday

11:43am Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Columnists By Helen Mead

I HAVE always been a bit sceptical about Blue Monday.

That was yesterday, in case you didn’t know. The Monday of the last week in January was awarded this tag after an eminent psychologist devised a mathematical formula for misery, and ended up with that day.

The calculation factors in a number of variables including gloomy weather, post-Christmas debt, a feeling of monotony after the Christmas cheer has faded and low motivation levels. Plus, there’s the overwhelming feeling that you should be taking action to change your life.

I don’t see why this Monday in January should be any more depressing than any other. As far as I’m concerned they’re all steeped in misery as we head back to work, with the whole year ahead. it wouldn’t be so bad if those 365 days were full of exciting events to look forward to – but for most of us it’s more of the same. And this being a Leap Year, we’ve got an extra day to slog through.

Thinking about it, though, I suppose a case could be made for the Monday of the final week as payday comes at the end of the month and Christmas debt catches up with you. For me, the financial gloom is compounded by having all my insurances – house and car, due this week, putting a huge strain on the purse strings.

But on the plus side, it is my birthday in a few days which, if I’m lucky, may bring in several thousand pounds.

Did I say pounds? I meant pence. Sadly, I am not Tamara Ecclestone.

This is also the week when most New Year resolutions are broken. My pledge not to lose my temper with my daughters was broken on January 1, so obviously that isn’t a key factor for me.

I don’t think the weather has been too bad this month and, on the plus side, I believe nights are getting lighter. I’m no longer getting the train home from work in complete darkness. Not that light nights are of much benefit to this seasoned commuter. I think it was July or August when I boarded the wrong train and ended up heading to the wrong side of the Pennines.

January is a depressing month as a whole, but horrible days can spring up at any time of year.

The most depressing thing of the moment, in my opinion, hasn’t anything to do with finances, weather or breaking resolutions.

It’s the sight of Easter displays in shops. I’ve seen a couple over the past fortnight. While we desperately want to fast-forward January, we don’t want to go that far and start buying chocolate eggs and bunnies.