Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

16th January 2013

I was driving along listening to the radio last January when the radio host announced that 21st Jan was officially the ‘most depressing day of the year’. Hmmm, I thought, well it is now! Instead here are ways to make the gloomiest day of the year into a happy one bursting with love and kindness

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

16th January 2013

Lucy Corkhill

By Lucy Corkhill

16th January 2013

Apparently, the third Monday in January – when the weather’s crap, the nights are dark, our overspending at Christmas comes back and bites us on the bum, we’re back to work and school, and there’s no festivities to look forward to – is the day most people report feelings of depression.

Blue Monday was dreamt up as a way of changing all that doom and gloom. What if, thought the organisers, there was a recognised day of kindness and happiness? And what if it took place on the gloomiest day of the year? Blue Monday was born.

The idea is to perform acts of love, kindness and happiness and spread some good feeling about. Whether your act of kindness is to a family member or friend, or you aim for something bigger, the only limit is your imagination! Why not get your child’s school involved, or put the message out at work? Teaming together could make your Blue Monday into something quite spectacular! Or take a leaf out of one Blue Monday-er who used the day to make phone calls to neighbours and friends, catching up on their news and sending them love.

Here are some ideas of past events from the Blue Monday website:
2009 – Kind Fair in Canterbury
On entrance to the fair people were greeted with free cake donated by the Gulbenkian Theatre, and provided with the opportunity to write a good will message to throw into the Good Will Wishing Well (created by students from the University of Creative Arts) before taking a message to make themselves smile.
2010 – Kent Libraries spread the love
KCC Library staff encouraged members of the public to pass on words of inspiration and encouragement to their fellow borrowers by asking them to write a feel-good message on a piece of paper. These included things they enjoy, jokes and book recommendations. Staff then placed the message in the next borrower’s book.
2011 – Action Aid keeps people warm
Action Aid hosted a great event up in London’s Finsbury Avenue Square with lots of fun activities for all the family. There were two large heated bubbles for people to sit inside and get out of the cold, plus space hoppers and free massages.
2012 – Foodcycle hosts a lunch
On Blue Monday 2012, FoodCycle hosted a lunch for MIND Islington at the Islington Barn, with tasty food by Philip Dundas and live music from Baluji Music.

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