The Worst Day of the Year?

A few years ago,  Chris Arnall, one of the many PR boffins that passes as an expert in something, decided to quantify what day of the year was the worst for people. He based his findings on weather, amount of debt, time since Christmas, broken resolutions, and low salary and came up with the third Monday in January - today!  Officially, boys and girls,Today, 18 January, is the worst day of the year! Therefore, if you feel crap, if you just feel sluggish and de-motivated, it is not your fault and you are not alone. There is a formula and a number of newspaper articles to back you up and give you another story to tell yourself and incorporate into your winter blues. As a matter of fact, today is known in media circles as Blue Monday.

So, what did I do on Blue Monday?  To begin with, I didn't know it was the worst day of the year until I heard it on the radio.  I wondered if I should adjust my mood accordingly.  Perhaps I should not cheerily say hello to my neighbour or have a little chat with the girl behind the counter in Starbucks?  Maybe I should not let that driver out at the turning and hold up traffic for a while, thus ensuring that I spread the suffering a bit? Should I stop singing in the car?

Instead I laughed at the stupidity of naming a day as the worst.  Just as ridiculous as naming a day as the best day of your life. I like to think that we can always aim higher (or lower).  Last year I remember hearing this bit of arbitrary information on the BBC news and thinking, 'yes, they're right, I am miserable, this may well be the worst day of the year".  Right now the whole idea seems like an early April Fools joke, a form of cognitive behavioural stupidity.

I chatted to the girl in Starbucks who coaxed me away from the cake display since she knows I am on the neverending struggle with those extra few pounds. Thank you. The greengrocer and I discussed how I will make 25 lbs of dark seville orange marmalade in the next days even though I can't stand the stuff. I thought with delight about how many years I have been making marmalade for Ralph and how much he enjoys it every morning on toast (with the bread that I bake). I remembered the gigantic saucepan that comes out once a year to make this and the same wooden spoon with the measurement markings on it that has stirred the marmalade for so many years and I love this.

In a moment of confidence I ordered a new swimsuit on line, even though I haven't been swimming in years and the idea of so much cellulite-covered flesh on display is almost frightening. I am going to spend a couple of days in Florida next month with my cousin and I am really happy about this too today.

I got a funny e-mail from her about growing old and I sat down with a cup of tea and thought about how much I love about getting older and not caring about other people's judgments. Funnily enough, as I drop my concern about the judgments of others, I become less judgmental too.

So, on this worst day of the year I feel pretty good. I am more in control of my moods, I can call the shots and map out the future. Physically, not so great. The winter virus that I had before doesn't really want to give up and now I'm coughing and coughing, but so what. It'll pass.  Everything always does, even the worst day of the year.