What are the winter blues?

In January I notice a shift. It starts to gain momentum when the clocks go back in

October, but it gets louder in January.

It is not just in my work, but in conversations with friends, in messages from family, and in the quieter things people say — or don’t say. Energy feels lower. Motivation feels harder for some people to find. People who usually cope well start questioning themselves, the days feel short, the light can disappear for a whole day bringing in the greyness, making us feel literally "under the weather"

Online searches rise:“Blue Monday meaning.”“SAD symptoms.”“How to cope with winter blues.”

Those searches tell a story.

Blue Monday is talked about as the most depressing day of the year and, although it was allegedly created by a travel company and psychologist to encourage more holiday bookings, it does reflect how many people feel this time of year. As a therapist, I’m less interested in whether that label is scientifically accurate and more interested in why it resonates so strongly. People don’t search it because they’re curious — they search it because something inside them feels heavy, flat, or off, and they want an explanation. Many people have had two weeks of food, drinks, family, friends, events, being overly busy, nervous systems in overdrive, and then fall into the quiet space that January invites.

In the decompression of the festive season I might hear“I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”“I should feel motivated, but I don’t.”“Everyone else seems to be moving forward and I feel stuck.”

For many people, the winter is hard, I hear people saying " I hate the dark nights" " I hate the winter". Perhaps I used to be the same, however, I have learned to lean into the winter into the opportunity to rest, reflect and restore my energy levels, and mental strength, but this has taken time, intention and reflection.

Seasonal Affective Disorder could be one way this shows up, but many people experience something less clear-cut and just as real. A quiet dip in mood. More tiredness. Less patience. Less joy. The days are darker, routines change, and life becomes smaller and more inward. Our nervous systems notice that, even if our minds try to push through.

I see it in clients who suddenly doubt themselves, friends who withdraw a little, family members who seem more irritable or flat than usual. January can add extra pressure. Financially, for many people, it feels like a long month, especially if payday came early in December.

A new year that is socially pitched to mean fresh starts and big intentions, new years' resolutions, at a time when people are already feeling depleted.

What these winter searches really reflect is people trying to understand themselves rather than judge themselves. Looking for reassurance that what they’re feeling has a context. Wanting to know they’re not alone in it.

From a therapeutic perspective, coping with winter mood isn’t about forcing positivity or “fixing” how you feel. Often, it’s about responding differently:

• Allowing yourself more rest instead of pushing harder

• Letting winter be a slower season rather than a failure

• Paying attention to light, movement, and connection — gently, not perfectly

• Speaking honestly about how you’re feeling, even if it feels uncomfortable

  
  

If your mood dips significantly in winter — if you feel numb, hopeless, anxious, or disconnected — support matters. You don’t need to wait until things are unbearable. Talking to someone early, whether that’s a therapist, a trusted person in your life, or your GP, can make a real difference.

Winter can affect us. That’s not weakness — it’s biology, environment, and being human.

January doesn’t need to be conquered, and you don’t need to be fixed.

For many people, this time of year is about compassion rather than productivity. About moving more gently. About trusting that this isn’t how it will always feel.

And as I often remind clients — seasons change. And so do we.

“If you’re looking for counselling in Lincolnshire, I offer in-person and online sessions — contact me here.”