26/01/2026
On what might feel like January Day 157.
The festive period feels like a distant memory; days can feel repetitive and flat. Add in a lack of daylight; cold, damp weather; post-Christmas bills, and wobbly resolutions…. We joke that January never ends - it’s no surprise our brains lean into the idea that this month drags on forever. We can experience low mood, fatigue, and a sense of isolation.
People have long struggled at this time of year. Throughout history, we have used light, warmth, routine, and familiar rituals to help ourselves through darker months: lighting lamps or candles in the evening, seeking warmth through food, hot drinks and blankets, keeping gentle daily routines, and returning to small, familiar comforts that remind the body it is safe.
When things feel stagnant, novelty can help - listening to a new podcast; making a new recipe; phoning (yes, phoning not texting!) a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while.
Stepping outside, even briefly, can help; a small dose of daylight can change the tone of an entire day.
These things can lift our mood, make us feel more energised and give us a sense of connection. But if things feel like more than you can hold on your own, counselling can be a supportive space to help make sense of how you’re feeling. You don’t have to carry it all alone.
