It’s Blue Monday. The “experts” say that a day like today is when all things crash together – bills coming in, weather being gray, and spring still being two months out. And to be honest, I’ve got a general annual January pattern: come off the Christmas/New Year’s high – and then wonder what I’m doing with my life. It has something to do with being tired after the holidays, a little to do with putting away all the extra cozy sparkly Christmas decorations, and a lot to do with the weather.
But really? I know it’s going to pass. A gloomy month turns into Valentine’s month, and then into Spring, which is my favourite. We’ve been given the gift of seasons, friend. I’m embracing the gift!
In our house, we have a saying that we repeat regularly. In fact, our girl could tell you it verbatim, I’ve had her repeat it after me so often. I need to remind myself about it on my own Blue Monday’s:
A bad hour, does not mean it’s a bad morning.
A bad morning, does not mean it’s a bad day.
A bad day, does not mean it’s a bad week.
A bad week, does not mean it’s a bad month.
A bad month, does not mean it’s a bad year.
We need to remind ourselves of this regularly because seriously, a bad 6:30–8:30 AM weekday timeframe can feel like it’s going to wreck a whole school day and work day. We get to choose if it does, though. We can reframe our personal “Blue Mondays,” whenever they occur, by reminding ourselves that God works so well in the dark. Spring bulbs prove that.
And we need to do our part, too. It is my experience that we can actually act ourselves into right thinking. Not by frantically trying our best, but intentionally, wisely, and thoughtfully being kind to ourselves and others.
It’s a mindful practice that actually lives out Jesus’ command to “love your neighbour as yourself,” and I’ve seen it be a helpful tonic for my Blue Mondays (or grey seasons.) See, when I get in that Eeyore state, my mind can turn to navel-gazing, and from there to resentment, crankiness and a withdrawing from others. An Ontario winter doesn’t help much either, when it’s so cold you don’t actually want to open your door to others. It’s so good when we do though, friend.
I’ve pulled together a few ideas for you – fifteen of them, actually. Fifteen easy ways to show up. To listen well. To speak kindness into the lives of others. To use what is in your hands to love others. My suggestion is to pick a few of these that feel achievable, and something that you can do this week – if that’s too much, start with one.
Download my list of 15 Easy Ways to Spread Kindness by clicking here.
I’d love to know what you do to spread a little kindness on a Blue Monday or even on a regular Tuesday. Your ideas can help me show up better in my own world. Let’s start together.
Love these ideas Ellen! Thanks for sharing. Taking a friend out for a warm cup of cozy is one of my favourite things to do. It is a great way to connect face to face and also pops a little extra fun into my calendar.
Today is the perfect day for that – if people can get out of their driveways! 🙂
All great ideas!! I love sharing soup with my neighbors and bringing treats for my amazing co-workers but I also love the idea of a written note. I think I shall find a few addresses of old friends and drop a few notes over the next month…thanks for encouraging kindness!!
I love sharing soup too – it’s so cozy! There is something about a hand-written note though – isn’t it a special gift to find in your mailbox these days?
Solid! Thanks for this reminder. Kindness is contagious! As much as it is having your coffee paid for in the drive thru, it’s also nice to do the same and maybe even continue a chain reaction. #drivethrucoffeechain 🙂
Seeing others doing kind things actually inspires me to go and do likewise – chain reaction! I love it!
Great ideas and a great post! Right now I do and will share wardrobes! As kids outgrow clothes I pass them on to ppl who have younger kids. It’s something small for me to do, but makes a difference when you’re looking at getting a kid more clothes! The costs add up!
Our girl LOVES getting hand-me-downs – reminds me of how much I loved them when I was her age (I didn’t have a sister, which probably made them more fun.) Passing along clothes is a great gift!
Hi there I love your blog so fun and interesting. I’m going to be an encourager at work. I’m a nurse and our jobs we take care of others all the time and forget ourselves sometimes. So I’m going to tell someone they are good at their job
I love it! It’s funny – just telling someone how good they are at their job – especially someone who goes unnoticed, is so important. One thing I always try to do is to thank the people cleaning washrooms. They make our quality of life SO MUCH better, but are so unrecognized for it! All you need to do is go into a messy public bathroom to know how important their job is! Thanks for choosing to be a nurse, and caring for others! xo
I’m going to give clothing as well as donate resources to a family I know that is being furloughed in the States. I’ll also put down my phone more to be present with my kids. It’s nice to just snuggle up with them 🙂 Thanks for the ideas!
Perfect! Those are great things to do. Putting down my phone is often the HARDEST thing to do, but with a huge payoff. I was thinking just this morning about how I would have missed out on a great conversation with my daughter if I would have picked social media scrolling over snuggling. So important.
We make blessing bags up for the homeless enlarge zip loc bags we fill them with socks. Mitts. Engery bars., toothbrush & paste bottle water.
Also a few McDonalds card to get hot beverages
Deordent, shampoo. Face cloth, shoe laces
And also info on where you can get shelter and hit meals in our town duri g the winter months and what’s Available all year round.
When we see homeless people we hand them one of these bags & say a prayer over them
Great idea! I love it!
Such great ideas! I tend to do #7 often – text a friend (or family member).. I often ask God to show me/ place in my heart someone that He wants me to pray for that specific day. I pray for the person and afterwards I send them a text to encourage them. I find it’s a very practical way to use your gifts (encouragement, kindness, compassion, etc).
Also love #13. I love giving hugs. They’re so important in a world that so desperately needs love.
Thanks, Patty! I think the world will be a little kinder with you putting these into practice! 🙂