Blue Monday, often dubbed the “most depressing day of the year,” has become a cultural phenomenon that leaves many feeling downcast and gloomy. But have you ever wondered where this notion originated? Join us as we unravel the surprising origin of Blue Monday and explore the facts behind this widely accepted belief.
Today, January 15, is the third Monday of the month, meaning it’s ‘Blue Monday’ – but why is the third Monday of the month allegedly a gloomy day? Well, Blue Monday was created by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall in 2004 to try and help a travel company sell more holidays, devising a formula to legitimate it.
The Formula: The formula, often criticized for its lack of scientific rigor, looked like this: [(W + D – d) x T^Q] ÷ [M x Na]. Here, W stands for weather, D for debt, d for monthly salary, T for time since Christmas, Q for time since failing New Year’s resolutions, M for low motivational levels, and Na for the need to take action.
Deconstructing the Components:
- Weather (W): Arnall’s formula included the assumption that dark, cold, and dreary weather contributes to a collective low mood. However, this oversimplification neglects the fact that people’s emotional responses to weather vary widely.
- Debt (D) and Monthly Salary (d): Financial stress was considered a significant factor, assuming that people receive their December salary early and are likely to overspend during the festive season. While financial strain can indeed affect well-being, the formula’s accuracy in predicting a specific day for this impact is dubious.
- Time Since Christmas (T) and Failed Resolutions (Q): The post-holiday blues and the disappointment of unmet resolutions are common feelings. However, the idea that they peak on a specific day for everyone is a generalization that oversimplifies individual experiences.
- Low Motivation (M) and the Need to Take Action (Na): The formula concludes with factors related to a lack of motivation and the perceived need to take action. These elements are highly subjective and vary from person to person.
While Blue Monday has become an annual talking point and marketing opportunity for various industries, it’s essential to approach the concept with a critical eye. The origin of Blue Monday lies in a formula that oversimplifies the complex interplay of emotions, societal factors, and individual experiences. As we navigate the challenges of the post-holiday season, let’s be mindful of the diverse and nuanced nature of our emotions, rejecting the notion that a single day can dictate our collective mood.
As let’s be honest, we have to remember that it was a marketing strategy – and a clever one at that, because it’s still happening 19 years later.