How to Cope with Blue Monday

“The Doldrums, my young friend, are where nothing ever happens and nothing ever changes.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m struggling with January. Here in the UK, today (the 3rd Monday in January) is called Blue Monday. It is said to be the most depressing day of the year, though it was actually made up by travel companies to try and sell more holidays. However, there is an element of truth – it’s cold, it’s dark, Christmas is over and there are at least another 6 weeks before things start to look a bit better and I no longer feel like I’m getting up for work in the middle of the night. It does all make you feel like just staying in your pjs eating biscuits all day.

If you know the feeling, I urge you to read (or re-read) the wonderful Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. On the surface it is a very silly adventure story which will at least take your mind off things for a while.

Milo is whisked into a magical land, and soon finds himself on a quest to rescue the imprisoned Princesses of Rhyme and Reason, so that he can restore order to the land. He visits Dictionopolis where he is made to eat his own words (literally), accidentally jumps to the isle of conclusions, and restores all the sounds to the silent Valley of Sound. It’s a complete masterpiece in language and semantics. If, like me, you love word play, linguistics and puzzles, I totally recommend it.

Like many great children’s books, it isn’t really about rescuing the princesses, but about what is learnt on the way. It may be a little absurd, but Milo learns a lot about logic, motivation, determination and respect for other viewpoints. Which does all give you a little bit of kick to put down that hobnob and plough on through to spring.

I know it’s hard at the moment, but don’t get stuck in the Doldrums 🙃

 

 

 

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