Every year I seem to prepare myself for the 3 long months of January. This year, however, January has really simply taken things too far – the January slump has (for the most part) gotten the best of me!
Three weeks into the work/school routine and I am beyond exhausted!
The January slump has become more tangible than I’ve ever experienced it!
The January Slump
The 3rd Monday of the New Year is typically referred to as Blue Monday and is often described as the most depressing day of the year. According to the scientific formula used to calculate the day – South Africans (along with the rest of the Southern hemisphere) are still better off than our polar opposites! The main reason for this is because we have warmer weather.
Other attributes used to calculate the day include post-holiday blues, tight budgets/debt, low motivational levels and the pressure to take action.
If you have been following along with the past couple of posts, you would have noticed, that I have been talking non-stop about goals. I haven’t actually share any of my specific goals for the year, however, I have made it abundantly clear – I have a vision for 2019.
Burn-out
I have put myself under so much pressure to perform, that I’ve actually burned out before the year actually got started.
I was so determined to get going with my goals, that the slightest curve ball in life, got the best of me!
Thankfully, I have noticed it and now I can change things.
The January Reality
You are going to go back to work and crave a holiday all over again.
In all seriousness – December holidays can be very busy! Nannies go on holiday! Kids drive us insane. And despite every intention to rest – we keep finding things that need to be done around the home – especially pre- and post-holiday.
The budget is going to be tight.
Thankfully January salaries have been released for most South Africans, however, that doesn’t mean you can breathe! December debt may be a reality for you? You may have held back on a couple of payments in 2018, in order to aid your financial planning for 2019.
Reminder: It is going to get better. Breathe in, breathe out. Try to live within your means.
Little by little you will get there.
The kids have to adjust to the back to school routine
The new year means new challenges. New teacher, different class environment – perhaps even a new phase! (The start of
Fact remains, your child needs support from you to adjust to the new environment and greater demands.
Tip: Be patient with your child, they are trying their best. More-over, be patient with yourself!
Related Post: Give your Child Competitive Advantage this year
No More Guilt!
If you have missed a workout or simply don’t feel quite on track with your goals for 2019 – stop with the guilt! Regardless of whether you referred to your New Year’s resolutions as resolutions or goals. These are goals and it simply isn’t worth the pressure, if your resolutions causes you anxiety before the end of January!
You have 11 more months this year to achieve your goals.
And if it takes you 14 or 18 months to achieve them, little by little you (and I) will get there!
Related: How To Overcome The Lie That You’re Not Good Enough
End of January can be a real game changer if we want it to be!
Kind of like a cross-road. We get to choose whether we want to keep feeling guilty and stay in the slump. Or we can choose to take a time-out, assess things and make the decision to get out of the slump.
I’m getting out!
Over the past weekend, I took a much-needed break. I rested, slept and took time for me. It was the perfect way to reset my mind, regroup myself and set a new standard for the next couple of months.
How are you coping with the January Slump?
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