Beating the January blues

Thursday 09 January 2014

A Jersey law firm has come up with a novel way to lift the mood in January, a month that is reputed to include the most depressing day of the year.

Blue Monday was first coined by psychologist Cliff Arnall in 2005, and there is some debate over whether it falls on the first or third Monday of January - 6 and 20 respectively in 2014. By virtue of being the first day back at work, and the most popular to start divorce proceedings, the first Monday in January is gaining precedence over the third.

Even if people can't agree which Monday is the most depressing, with Christmas cheer a fast receding memory, wet weather, short days and long nights and not forgetting the pile of outstanding bills, January doesn't have a great deal going for it.

But local law firm Hanson Renouf has come up with an idea to cheer up Islanders and raise money for charity in the process. Having plumped for 20 January as Blue Monday they are inviting Islanders to email their uplifting stories, funny incidents or jokes to lucy.fosse@hansonrenouf.com. In addition to bringing a smile to someone’s face the lucky winner will win £100 to donate to their chosen charity.

The firm's Partner and Head of Family Law, Barbara Corbett said:  "We all find this time of year difficult for various reasons and it is no coincidence that January is also the month with the highest divorce rate. We by no means wish to trivialise people’s personal circumstances we however thought this might be a light hearted way to spread a little cheer."