Why January Is the Worst (And How I’m Surviving It Anyway)
January has always been the unwelcome houseguest of months. It shows up right after the holidays when you’re already broke, bloated, and tired, and then demands you make resolutions you’ll hate yourself for breaking. Add in weather that feels like nature’s personal attack, and you’ve got the perfect storm of “nope.”
But for me, January is more than just grey skies and regret. It’s a scrapbook of loss, stitched together with some duct tape, grit, and, let’s be honest, a lot of caffeine.
When I was ten, January became the month I stopped being a kid. My mom lost her entire family and my dad. Overnight, I became her support system. While other kids were trading stickers and watching cartoons, I was learning to navigate my mom’s depression and trying to keep my siblings afloat. Fun fact: grief doesn’t wait for you to figure it out, it just moves in and takes over.
Years later, life decided to double down. Nine years ago, both my mom and my partner’s mom were diagnosed with cancer. We did what any self-respecting couple would do: sat down, made a plan, and braced ourselves for chaos. I quit my job to take care of them. There were days I didn’t know if I lived in my car or my house because I was constantly on the road, doctor’s appointments, pharmacies, hospitals, repeat. One of them needed round-the-clock care. The other, my mom, mostly just told me she was proud of me.
Seven years ago this January, we lost both of them. And then, two years ago, we lost a sibling to suicide. It’s safe to say January and I have history, and not the good kind.
Here’s the thing, though: I’m still here. I wake up, make coffee, and try again. Some days, I’m crushing it, checking things off my to-do list like a boss. Other days, it’s a win if I put on pants before 3 PM. Both count.
What I’ve learned through all of this is that January will never be my favorite month. But it also doesn’t get to define me. It’s okay to feel the weight of it, but it’s also okay to laugh through it, cry through it, and take breaks when you need them. If you’re struggling through this time of year too, know this: some days will be better, some days will suck, but you’ll get through them all.
January might think it’s tough, but so am I. So are you.
Now, let’s get through this month together, preferably with a big mug of coffee, an electric blanket, and zero expectations to run a marathon.
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STOPOur Januaries are tough, that's for sure! But yeah, we are tough too! And armed with big mugs of coffee, we are tougherder!!!!
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I suggest you start cutting your December spending.
If you want to connect with people, what is written on your account. I would suggest reading this https://ecency.com/hive-125125/@savvyplayer/engagement-commitment from @savvyplayer
This post is about losing my parents in January, not about cutting my spendings in December
Yea, sorry for the loss of your parents though it has been quite long. I believe you must have recovered from the grief. However, in terms of January being a difficult month to survive, it has always been that way which is what lead to my first comment.
Why is Januari such a tough month for everyone?
I think that for other people, another month than January is tough for them. 🤔🧘♂️🤓
Here's more !HUGs and !HOPEs with !love! 🤗
Maybe he just published the comment under the wrong post that had a similar title as another one he was reading. 😐
Here's a lot of !HUGs and !HOPEs with !love! 🤗
No he didn’t, but it is ok now. It’s not that I’m feeling sad. I was trying to give some advice.
!HOPE
!INDEED
!WEIRD
I thought about that possibility because it sometimes happens to me that when I have about 2 dozen tabs open on #Ecency to respond to comment notifications, I accidentally reply to the wrong comment (especially when the titles are similar) though I often can catch it immediately and delete my comment. 🤯🤓 !WEIRD !HOPE !INDEED !DIY
Yes but I can see that happen as well. But it wasn’t the first time and not the only account 😉 and I still only use my phone now, so didn’t think about that. Sweet that you mentioned it
!INDEED
!WEIRD
!HOPE
I !INDEED prefer meaningful (which includes relevant) and kind comments on my posts. 🤓 Curation is also highly appreciated, but only secondary to engagement. 🤗
!HOPE
!DIY
You can query your personal balance by
!DIYSTATSYou can query your personal balance by
!DIYSTATSFirst off, I'm sorry for your loss. Roots Author Alex Haley once likened losing a senior to watching a library burn. The person, the information, experiences, and all of the lives they touched are irreplaceable. I was going to write something witty like "I'll see you a January and raise you a..." before I realized that you encapsulated everything about this ragged month so perfectly, that the best thing I could do was to let each word sink in, and breathe, live as you're doing.
Thank you for such a sweet comment and the time for reading the post. It means a lot to me
!INDEED
!HOPE
Wi
Be strong. Nobody is going to leave this life alive! Just enjoy the moment and be positive ✨️ 🙏 ❤️
I will, thank you ❤️
!INDEED
!WEIRD
!HOPE
You're so strong, dear. You've been through so much thing in january for many years and still standing today. Amazing woman✨
Thank you for reading and the sweet comment ❤️
!WEIRD
!HOPE
!INDEED
I salute you sister. There's a painful story inside every smiling face
That is a truth, thanks for reading ❤️
Exactly my friend tough times never last but tough people do.
Sorry you have been through so much it is rough and unfair in it's delivery the weight of tough times that some suffer over others.
But as you know it builds a resilience others do not have, it certainly builds character.
You have done well to channel it into strength.
Wishing you continued warrior woman strenght and spirit.
Be prosperous in all you do my friend @nathalie-s
Made in Canva
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This post has been curated by the Alive And Thriving Team, we curate good content in the We Are Alive Tribe that is on topic for #aliveandthriving, and it's included in our daily curation report on @aliveandthriving, plus @youarealive is following our Curation Trail.
Thank you for the kind wishes and the reading. Means a lot to me ❤️
Wow, powerful story. Not sure what else to say except I love the last paragraph and your attitude surrounding the struggle and how you deal with it. Being OK with all the feelings and not letting a negative experience (or many) define you (or me or anyone) is just such a healthy and refreshing attitude. Thank you for sharing and for stating it so clearly.
Thank you for the kind words. Everyone has struggled in the past and I hope maybe someone sees a way through the pain. Your words mean a lot, thanks again
!INDEED
!WEIRD
!HOPE
Just like a Monday, for thirty straight days..
thank you for sharing ❤️.
I wish us all a better rest of the year 🙏
Thank you and I wish the same for everyone
!WEIRD
!INDEED
!HOPE
I feel for your grief and pain, Nathalie, and I'm grateful that you were able get to where you are now. I still have a bad taste in my mouth around my birthday, not due to death, but painful all the same. Some times it's not easy, but we keep on dancing. 😁🙏💚✨🤙
I always will ❤️ too bad to hear it bout your birthday ❤️🩹 big hugs
Beautiful! Thank you, I appreciate that. I'm durable, I just have a tender heart. 😁🙏💚✨🤙
Yes I know ❤️
I'm grateful that you get that about me, that means a lot! 😁🙏💚✨🤙
Yes, that is so true, some days are better while some are not, yet we have to keep believing in the best thing's, and also put forward a happy mindset, have a blissful weekend.
Stay strong, it won’t be one directional forever, it will go upwards soon!
Thank you for the sweet words and I believe it will ❤️