Overcoming the January Blues

So you maybe went a little overboard this past Christmas season buying gifts for all your loved ones...but now your MasterCard bill came in and you're left cringing and asking yourself Did I really spend that much?? Yes, you wanted to get "the perfect gift" for your special someone or your Secret Santa, but now you're left with a giant bill to pay and wondering how you're going to get by this month.

Sound familiar?

It does for many in North America around January, and because of this, many find themselves stressed at the debt they've put themselves in, depressed, or unhappy. 

One thing to think about is: what is the Christmas season all about? Is it about getting the "perfect gift" and spending loads of money on your boyfriend/girlfriend to show them how much you care and love them? Many times, we can find ourselves putting a price tag on our love and affection. But I wanted to encourage you with a different perspective. 

Christmas is first of all, about the birth of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He left His throne in Heaven and humbly came to this earth. We make Christmas all about the gifts and giving, but we tend to forget about the greatest gift that's ever been given: Jesus. 

Secondly, Christmas is about spending time with your loved ones, be it your family or friends, or both. It's not about the gifts and presents (although they're nice!). When we die, we're not going to be thinking about the new phone we got or the TV we always wished we had. Instead, we will be looking back on our lives and thinking about our relationships and how we've spent our time.

So here are some ideas of how you can overcome the January Blues:

• One way is to think about all the things you're grateful for. Whether it be health, your job, or the people in your life. You can grab your journal and make a list of these things, and take the time to pray and thank God for these things. Having a grateful heart and attitude makes all the difference in overcoming the blues!

• With your budget being a little tight now thanks to your overspending on Christmas presents, try and find fun things to do that don't cost a lot of money (if any!).
• You can go for a walk or a hike (this time of year is gorgeous with all the snow and ice cycles!). 
  
• You can invite your friends over for a Games Night
  
• Rather than go out to a coffee shop, invite your friend over to your house, and enjoy a coffee at home. It's more intimate, and you can have as many refills as you'd like! 
  
• Rather than go out to the movie theatre, watch a DVD that you already have, or do a Movie Night at home watching Netflix. You can pop some popcorn and get some candy. (You can even be in your PJs!)
  
• Go to the library. The library has a plethora of books you can browse or read at your leisure. They also have movies you can borrow (for free!). 
  
• Go skating. Many cities and towns have outdoor skating rinks that you can go to that are free of charge. It's a great way to get active, enjoy some fresh air, and you can hold hands with your special someone ;)
  

Those are just a few ideas of how to have fun this January on a tight budget. 

Remember, the key is to remember what Christmas is all about, to be thankful for who you have in your life, as well as all you have in your life, to have a positive attitude, and to remember that doing fun things doesn't have to cost a lot!

Hope you're all having a great January :)

If you have any suggestions of other fun things to do on a tight January budget or other ways to get over the January blues, I would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment. :)