How to beat the January Blues??

Posy · 20-01-2020 12:02PM

A few places are doing Blue Monday sales... it's like Black Friday all over again! :pac:

The Nal · 20-01-2020 12:07PM

Posy wrote: »

A few places are doing Blue Monday sales... it's like Black Friday all over again! :pac:

FFS. The whole point of blue Monday is that everyone is supposed to be broke!

DvB · 20-01-2020 12:27PM

Posy wrote: »

A few places are doing Blue Monday sales... it's like Black Friday all over again! :pac:

Pretty sure i read somewhere a couple of years ago that blue monday is a fabrication created by the travel industry to try and get folk to book holidays... imo its nowhere near the most depressing day of the year anyway, loads of worse days in the post I suspect!

The Nal · 20-01-2020 12:41PM

DvB wrote: »

Pretty sure i read somewhere a couple of years ago that blue monday is a fabrication created by the travel industry to try and get folk to book holidays... imo its nowhere near the most depressing day of the year anyway, loads of worse days in the post suspect!

Thankfully not me anymore but it is if you were paid early in December and don't get paid until next week. 5 week pay cycle. I remember having a 2 euro coin left one year the day before payday.

DvB · 20-01-2020 12:54PM

The Nal wrote: »

Thankfully not me anymore but it is if you were paid early in December and don't get paid until next week. 5 week pay cycle. I remember having a 2 euro coin left one year the day before payday.

I have a number of 5 week months (between paydays) its just something you budget for when paid by the month IMO.
Dont get me wrong, I'm not saying its not harder to get through the extra week but I dont buy the whole blue monday thing myself.

CheerLouth · 20-01-2020 12:54PM

Admittedly I'm looking forward to pay day on Friday but that said, there have been worse days in Jan. At this point of the month, I'm thinking that Jan is nearly over, pay day is on the horizon & it's February next week already! When you think of it like that, it's actually flown by!

Posy · 20-01-2020 06:08PM

Woo, pay day on Friday! \o/

Loughc · 20-01-2020 08:19PM

jr86 wrote: »

Into the 20s now in January... Almost a month since Christmas!

It genuinely feels like a lifetime ago since little Christmas let alone Christmas.

Posy · 21-01-2020 08:17AM

It does! Feels like a long time ago.

Although I'm actually only taking the tree in my kitchen down tonight... :pac:

DvB · 21-01-2020 08:25AM

Loughc wrote: »

It genuinely feels like a lifetime ago since little Christmas let alone Christmas.

I have to agree, Christmas feels more than only 3 or 4 weeks ago. January seems to be moving at a nice pace, & i'm not complaining, after the drag that was Jan 2018 (I still remember it lasting what felt like 3 or 4 months) any avoidance of that is to be welcomed.

Miserable damp morning there today though, could do without days like that.
Anyway, coffee time!!

Postgrad10 · 21-01-2020 10:27AM

In a way I was happy being fully busy at work the first 2 weeks of January. Quieter this week though which is making me miss Christmas more. It’ll get busier again in the next two weeks so I should enjoy it while I can.

Loughc · 21-01-2020 10:45AM

Postgrad10 wrote: »

In a way I was happy being fully busy at work the first 2 weeks of January. Quieter this week though which is making me miss Christmas more. It’ll get busier again in the next two weeks so I should enjoy it while I can.

Same today is the first day since I came back after the holidays I can come up for air and one of the first thoughts this morning was a nostalgic thought of Christmas....

DvB · 21-01-2020 10:56AM

Loughc wrote: »

Same today is the first day since I came back after the holidays I can come up for air and one of the first thoughts this morning was a nostalgic thought of Christmas....

Bizarre, first quiet enough day for me also. Though other than my daily check in here I have to be honest & admit I have no real yearnings for the Christmas just gone.
I suspect having the twins birthday celebrations at the weekend helped buffer me again from christmas though.
I actually cant remember the last time I felt this 'over' Christmas so soon after the event, dare I say it but has my love for it wained!?:eek: I suspect not and its more a case of after 7/8 years of having young kids etc It was simply at its peak enjoyment level & with the kids now getting older & more used to it, its starting to resettle slightly. Just means we need to reinvent it for ourselves as the family gets older.

Loughc · 21-01-2020 11:41AM

DvB wrote: »

Bizarre, first quiet enough day for me also. Though other than my daily check in here I have to be honest & admit I have no real yearnings for the Christmas just gone.
I suspect having the twins birthday celebrations at the weekend helped buffer me again from christmas though.
I actually cant remember the last time I felt this 'over' Christmas so soon after the event, dare I say it but has my love for it wained!?:eek: I suspect not and its more a case of after 7/8 years of having young kids etc It was simply at its peak enjoyment level & with the kids now getting older & more used to it, its starting to resettle slightly. Just means we need to reinvent it for ourselves as the family gets older.

I think being so busy in January doesn't give me anytime to miss Christmas as such so I'm kinda only getting to that now.

Yeah I say you're spot on in your assessment about Christmas resettling down for you, I find the same it comes in cycles, I find with every different stage of my life I enjoy and appreciate something different with Christmas.

You're just moving into your next stage, try starting traditions like Movie nights or board game nights or jigsaw days that the kids can continue to partake in even when they're older.

jr86 · 21-01-2020 12:29PM

January flying by for myself - absolutely flat out at work, which is great in a way

i think the fact Christmas seems so long ago is just psychological as its an event that compromises your regular routine for 11 months of the year. Several events in October and November feel more recent to me than Christmas

DvB wrote: »

I actually cant remember the last time I felt this 'over' Christmas so soon after the event, dare I say it but has my love for it wained!?:eek: I suspect not and its more a case of after 7/8 years of having young kids etc It was simply at its peak enjoyment level & with the kids now getting older & more used to it, its starting to resettle slightly. Just means we need to reinvent it for ourselves as the family gets older.

Yep exact same

Absolutely love Christmas but by the end up I'm just feeling bloated and almost without purpose!

Personally I like having to get up early again, to work hard, to eat relatively decent and to exercise properly again

But i'd never change Christmas for the world!

Loughc · 21-01-2020 12:36PM

jr86 wrote: »

Absolutely love Christmas but by the end up I'm just feeling bloated and almost without purpose!

Personally I like having to get up early again, to work hard, to eat relatively decent and to exercise properly again

See Christmas does give you purpose, to eat better and exercise more in January :P

Without Christmas we'd have nothing to work on in January. :pac:

TRS30 · 21-01-2020 12:57PM

Loughc wrote: »

Yeah I say you're spot on in your assessment about Christmas resettling down for you, I find the same it comes in cycles, I find with every different stage of my life I enjoy and appreciate something different with Christmas.

I can totally relate to this. From my late teens till early 30s, Christmas was going out with my friends and being drunk/hungover 90% of the time. Then when met now wife, was more couples stuff, dinners out etc. Then kids came and all are still at the young age so its all about Santa and the 'real' magic of Christmas. I know this will pass and as they get older and don't believe anymore, it will change again. Part of me dreads that already however i'll embrace it like all change.

DvB · 21-01-2020 01:47PM

TRS30 wrote: »

Then kids came and all are still at the young age so its all about Santa and the 'real' magic of Christmas. I know this will pass and as they get older and don't believe anymore it will change again. Part of me dreads that already however i'll embrace it like all change.

As ours have turned 9 now we're starting to see the end of the 'innocent' years with them already asking cryptic questions about believing etc. With so many of their classmates telling them whats what its a wonder they still query it at all in fact.

I had a strong feeling when we were up at Causey farm before christmas to see santa that it might be our last santa experience as later this year they'll be just 10, so I asked them on the way home if they would rather do something instead of a santa experience next year (ie. for 2020) & whilst they still in the moment declared that they absolutely would want to go & see santa I get a strong suspicion it was our last trip, or at least the last that was a big deal to them anyway.

I wont lie, a part of me is saddened to think its all coming to an end as it went by in the blink of an eye, but as outlined in others posts above I suspect it'll just be a case of adapting to the changing landscape & still making Christmas a big deal for us as a family, rather than just through their eyes or suchlike.

All good things come to an end as they say, so its time to find some new things to keep the magic going thats all:)

CheerLouth · 21-01-2020 01:52PM

DvB wrote: »

As ours have turned 9 now we're starting to see the end of the 'innocent' years with them already asking cryptic questions about believing etc. With so many of their classmates telling them whats what its a wonder they still query it at all in fact.

9 just seems so young to me to be already questioning Christmas

I actually dread the day my guys start questioning it. And the thoughts of their peers ruining it for them :mad::(:(:(

DvB · 21-01-2020 01:59PM

CheerLouth wrote: »

9 just seems so young to me to be already questioning Christmas I actually dread the day my guys start questioning it. And the thoughts of their peers ruining it for them :mad::(:(:(

It did for us too.

The real problem is so many of their classmates having older siblings who couldnt wait to ruin the magic for their younger siblings who in turn used their new found knowledge as a means to belittle anyone else who did still believe.

We actually had the teacher tell my wife about 2 weeks before Christmas that my Daughter got into trouble for arguing with a classmate over Santa being real or not, with my one sticking up for 'believe'... at the time I was proud of her for sticking up for what she believed in but I could see the weight of argument against her eroding that belief since then.

I'm pretty sure I was a lot older before I truly started to question, though they were far more innocent times way back then

CheerLouth · 21-01-2020 02:12PM

Fair play to your daughter but I can see that is how the seed of doubt is planted

My sister is having the same issue the last few years with her eldest (nearly 11).

I can't understand older siblings ruining it for younger siblings. There are 8 years between me and my littlest sibling - keeping quiet and letting him enjoy believing meant I got Santy until I was 19 - win win imo

TRS30 · 21-01-2020 03:05PM

CheerLouth wrote: »

9 just seems so young to me to be already questioning Christmas I actually dread the day my guys start questioning it. And the thoughts of their peers ruining it for them :mad::(:(:(

9

:(:(:(:( I might only get 4 more years with ELF1 and then she will be an ELF no more!! I will have her under strict instructions not to say anything to ELF2 or 3 or no presents, from Santa or anyone else.

It really does go by so quick, it only seems like the other day was her first Christmas (she was only 3 months old- was looking at a picture of her in her '1st Christmas' outfit under the tree in my sisters house on Christmas Day. The laughs we got this year with the Elf on the shelf was brilliant, don't want that to end.....

Sorry was at a funeral earlier so feeling a bit nostalgic, sad

DvB · 21-01-2020 03:19PM

TRS30 wrote: »

9 :(:(:(:( I might only get 4 more years with ELF1 and then she will be an ELF no more!! I will have her under strict instructions not to say anything to ELF2 or 3 or no presents, from Santa or anyone else.

It really does go by so quick, it only seems like the other day was her first Christmas (she was only 3 months old- was looking at a picture of her in her '1st Christmas' outfit under the tree in my sisters house on Christmas Day. The laughs we got this year with the Elf on the shelf was brilliant, don't want that to end.....

Sorry was at a funeral earlier so feeling a bit nostalgic, sad

Nowt wrong with that at all. We were only saying it after Christmas when we were updating our Christmas Eve photo album looking back over all of the Christmas Eves going back to their first in 2011 & were saying we couldn't believe how fast the time had gone & that 2019 was their 9th Christmas:eek:

Its seeing our babies growing up in front of us so quickly that really saddens us in some ways, the fact we have a record showing it year on year simply reinforces how fast its all gone. It s a good reminder every now & again that you need to stop & look around every now & again as in the same time frame again they'll be 18, adults & no longer our little babies:(

Sundew · 21-01-2020 04:25PM

Folks the Holiday Show is on in the RDS this weekend and Chinese New Year celebrations kick off... nice way to see out the final days of January.
Was lucky enough to get free admission for two adults during Black Friday. There are still a few 2 for one entries flying around.
https://www.holidayworldshow.com/

Graces7 · 23-01-2020 03:12PM

My last one was..... mid 1980s!

Unless you count my moving to Ireland in 2002 and many house moves since then ...

...

Postgrad10 wrote: »

I haven’t had one in 10 years.

CheerLouth · 23-01-2020 03:19PM

DvB wrote: »

Its seeing our babies growing up in front of us so quickly that really saddens us in some ways, the fact we have a record showing it year on year simply reinforces how fast its all gone. It s a good reminder every now & again that you need to stop & look around every now & again as in the same time frame again they'll be 18, adults & no longer our little babies:(

As I say to my little girl when she tells me "mam, I'm not a baby anymore", it doesn't matter if they are 35 with babies of their own, they'll always be our babies

ytpe2r5bxkn0c1 · 23-01-2020 03:53PM

I always find booking the Summer holidays in January gives a little lift and something to look forward to. Booked ours last week and now the summer doesn't feel so far away.

TRS30 · 23-01-2020 04:16PM

CheerLouth wrote: »

As I say to my little girl when she tells me "mam, I'm not a baby anymore", it doesn't matter if they are 35 with babies of their own, they'll always be our babies

So true. My Mum always say to me, 'You never stop worrying about them', she hasn't and we are all in our 40s!!

DvB · 23-01-2020 04:35PM

CheerLouth wrote: »

As I say to my little girl when she tells me "mam, I'm not a baby anymore", it doesn't matter if they are 35 with babies of their own, they'll always be our babies

I understand that sentiment & my own mum has said the same to me & I'm closer to 50 than 40, but in reality as they grow & slowly lose their innocence (especially surrounding things like Christmas) its kind of sad, well it is for us anyway, we thought these years would last forever, & alas they are almost gone.

Dont get me wrong, I love seeing them grow & develop, but a part of me longs for them to be our little babies forever. Sad nostalgic fool that I am

DvB · 23-01-2020 04:47PM

Kyler Crashing Turbine wrote: »

I always find booking the Summer holidays in January gives a little lift and something to look forward to. Booked ours last week and now the summer doesn't feel so far away.

We had booked our hotel before christmas when the mrs spotted a fantastic deal in a specific hotel we'd looked at previously. But booked the flights there before I came back to work on the 6th. Was great to have the holidays all sorted early & give us something to look forward to. I love the build up to my summer holiday nearly as much as the build up to Christmas

How to beat the January Blues??

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens