Blue Monday

Have you ever heard of Blue Monday? Would you believe, Blue Monday was first publicised in 2005 as part of a press release from a company called Sky Travel? While their marketing department may have received kudos for a job well done, unfortunately, the formula around it is bogus. That said though, January Blues are common and very real. So, as we prepare for Blue Monday 2022, now’s a good time to think about a positive future. 

Blue Monday is the concept that there is one day of the whole year that is the most depressing. The first press release circulated about Blue Monday under the name of Cliff Arnall, who at the time was a tutor in a further education centre which was attached to Cardiff University. However, a short time after its release, Cardiff University distanced themselves from Arnall, who had by then left the university, where he was a part-time tutor. 

In 2018, according to the Independent, Arnall said that it was “never his intention to make the day sound negative.” He had intended to “inspire people to take action and make bold life decisions.”

Blue Monday was a creative marketing campaign, but its theory does have some sense to it. Traditionally, January can be a tough month – but after the last twelve months, many of us might really feel it this year. There are so many things that can affect us just after a holiday season from going back to work, to dealing with the few extra pounds that you may have gained from the holidays. It is also a time when we think about our financial situation and career. 

Another major factor for Blue Monday is the pandemic. We still face so many insecurities, and many people are unsure about their jobs, health and more. 

Dealing with Blue Monday

So, how does one best deal with Blue Monday? Firstly, it is essential to point out that you are not on your own in feeling blue. January is a strange month at the best of times, and the good news is that for many people, the dark clouds lift quickly. In fact, for some people, it doesn’t happen. 

Mental well-being is of utmost importance for everybody. It’s crucial to take stock of the great things about you and about what’s in your life.

If your career is the reason for feeling blue, then take Blue Monday as a day to do something about it. If you’re uncertain about the future of your job, then do something about it. Make the next move. 

Career Change – more common than ever

Changing career is more common than ever. The Bureau of Labour Statistics in the USA reckons that people change careers once every four years. Compare this to a couple of decades ago when a job was for life. With online learning, we’ve never had it so good before in terms of what and how we learn. It’s a great time to get the skills that we need to shake off any Blue Monday.

If you have been thinking about a change in career to software development, now is the best time to act. Because of COVID-19, businesses grew a whole new dependency on technology, and as a result, the global skills gap has increased massively. 

If a career change is on your New Year’s Resolution list, let Code Institute’s mentors, our Student Care team and our 24/5 plus weekend tutor support guide you into the fascinating and innovative world of software development. What’s more, our careers team will help you find that new career. With more than one thousand hiring partners, your success is our goal. 

The next step – free coding challenge

If now is the time for you to change your career, then give this a try. It’s Code Institute’s free 5 Day Coding Challenge. After just one hour a day over five days, you’ll learn the basics of HTML, CSS and Javascript. At the end of the five days, you will have built your first-ever webpage. You will also learn whether or not you have an aptitude for software development. Register now through the form below.