Blue Monday and how to make it your best day of the week

Once a year, we deliberately shine a spotlight on it, but in truth, every Monday has the potential to feel like Blue Monday. For many, this sentiment is a weekly occurrence, albeit in a milder form: that sense of "back to work again, the weekend was far too short, it's Monday already, time to start the countdown to the next weekend." Monday marks the end of our free time and the start of obligations.

From a young age, we've been conditioned to see Monday as the beginning of the week — the day we need to roll up our sleeves and start earning a living to pay the bills. This ingrained idea often leads to a creeping sense of dread as early as Sunday. Without realising it, Sunday can become a day where we avoid anything remotely related to work, attempting to “relax” but actually just postponing the inevitable.

The truth, however, is that Blue Monday as a concept doesn’t really exist. That particular Monday in January is just a day like any other — a day that holds the same potential to be wonderful or challenging as any other. The label, though, can have a powerful psychological effect. The intention behind focusing on mental health during this time is commendable, but we must question: from what perspective does this focus come?

Are we approaching it as an opportunity to empower and uplift, or do we risk reinforcing the narrative that mental illness is an unavoidable and central aspect of human experience? By shifting our attention to celebrating resilience and fostering well-being, we can open the door to a more hopeful and balanced outlook.

By concentrating on depression and mental illness, and then engaging in activities aimed at improving mental health, we may inadvertently strengthen the broader narrative of mental illness by centring our attention on it. This focus has the potential to make mental illness a more prominent aspect of collective human experience, as our energy flows where attention goes.

The feelings we associate with Blue Monday or any tough Monday are often a signal from our inner selves. They remind us that living in a rigid framework doesn’t align with our true nature. We were born to be free, and the yearning for a life of freedom is deeply rooted in who we are. Yet, we often dismiss this as a luxury for the few, telling ourselves that most people simply have to work to make ends meet.

Is this belief really true, or does it stem from our limited perception of what a “free life” means? Freedom doesn’t necessarily equate to never working again. True freedom lies in taking ownership of our lives, consciously choosing what we do, and breaking free from the “because I have to” mindset. It’s about finding joy in our choices and creating the conditions to pursue what truly lights us up.
For instance, if creating art makes your heart sing, living a free life might mean choosing a job that pays the bills while giving you the time and space to express yourself creatively. Freedom isn’t the absence of work but the presence of purpose and joy in the life you build.

So, the next time Blue Monday rolls around — or any Monday, for that matter — consider this: it’s not the day itself that holds you back but the labels and beliefs you attach to it. Every Monday, just like every other day, has the potential to be a step closer to the life you choose to create.

By reframing our perspective on Mondays, we can turn them into opportunities rather than obligations. Bring playfulness into your day by varying your activities and making tiny changes to your schedule. Allow yourself an extra break or treat yourself to small, joyful moments that spark delight. Doing something out of the ordinary can set the tone for a brighter day.

Become mindful of your Monday habits. Ask yourself: what is it that you routinely do on Mondays? Could you approach it differently, or even skip it altogether? Shake up your routine to break the monotony.

Here’s a fun experiment: take one activity you always reserve for Monday and do it on Sunday instead. You’ll be surprised at how this simple change can make your Monday feel lighter and more relaxed. By fusing the start of the work week with the weekend, you’ll shift away from the rigid Sunday-Monday rhythm that fuels dread.

Lastly, let go of the labels we assign to days. Simply calling it “Monday” can evoke ingrained feelings and responses, deeply embedded in our minds and emotions. By removing the label, we disrupt the pattern and free ourselves from these automatic triggers.

What will you do to make Monday your best day?

Become part of The SelfHealing Movement and learn how to vitalise your food for free