Blue Monday – also known as the most depressing day of the year – has been trending on Twitter all day!
Did you know that Blue Monday began with a simple press release?
In 2005, the now-defunct UK TV channel Sky Travel sent journalists an exciting promotional announcement that, with the help of a psychologist, they’d calculated the most miserable day of the year.
They’d apparently worked it out with a complex formula developed by UK psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall. It considered factors such as the weather & finances to devise people’s lowest point.
The formula was meant to analyse when people booked holidays, assuming that people were most likely to buy a ticket to paradise when they were feeling down. Arnall was asked to come up with the best day to book a holiday trip, so he thought of reasons why people might want to take a holiday — and thus, the gloomiest day of the year was born.
And that happens to be today!
Are we really going to give in to this hype?
Let’s look at all the positives that are happening around us instead! The days are getting longer, the sun is shining and that ‘Christmas Spirit’ that you felt last month is still there, just nobody is talking about it so much!
So why don’t we refocus on those feelings!
Did you love spending time with your loved ones, friends & family? Moreover, did you take pleasure in making someone smile when they received your gift? I know, I did!
This may surprise you, but psychologists have found that giving gifts is “a surprisingly complex and important part of human interaction, helping to define relationships and strengthen bonds with family and friends”. In fact, psychologists say it is often the giver, rather than the recipient, who reaps the biggest psychological gains from a gift.
So, let’s not dismiss these feelings! Giving gifts, donating to charities & even volunteering can have huge positive impacts on our physical and mental well-being!
Making someone feel special is more than enough reason to make me want to give more and to show how grateful I am to them for the value and role they play in my life, plus it is great fun!
I always go to great lengths to find the perfect present, trying my best to find out what they would love to receive by knowing their current interests and needs. Then I will spend hours or even days trying to get my hands on the perfect gift. The gift needs to means something to them, not valuable as in ‘expensive’, but just very thoughtful. Something that deeply fits their personality.
Giving does not always have to be in the form of a gift! Importantly, it is equally valuable to offer a kind word, a compliment and most simply, a friendly smile goes a long way in saying thank you for all you do.
On the other hand, can you remember a special occasion where presents have not passed hands?
It is quite hard to imagine, isn’t it! For as long as I can remember, gifts have always been ‘present’ during special occasions throughout the year, be it Birthdays, Christmas, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Weddings, Anniversaries, New Babies, or even a New Home, gifting has become ‘everyday culture’ of our lives today.
Whether you are gifting to a family member, a friend or someone close to your heart, it is considered proper etiquette for us to give them gifts on a memorable day.
Understandably, as the founder of the ‘award-winning’ jewellery & fashion accessories boutique, Spirit & Grace, I may be slightly biased, but even the bible states: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)
Giving gifts is a tradition that has been passed on from one generation to another but there are many other reasons why giving is important!
Gifting is a perfect way to celebrate a special occasion, to show appreciation, to say thank you, or to show someone you care.
Therefore, if like me you find it hard to express your true feelings in words, why not offer a token of recognition instead? Not only will this represent your feelings but will allow the recipient to know grateful you really are of them.
A simple thoughtful gift can be priceless!
At Spirit & Grace, I offer a unique collection of high quality, beautiful jewellery and stylish, versatile accessories.
Aimed at the modern woman, I look for pieces that reflect a passion for style and for fashion, but which also serve to make the wearer feel special and can represent the uniqueness of their spirit.
Feeling fabulous should be something that’s accessible to everyone, after all!
