If any month were to be mocked for its length, it would logically be February as it is awkwardly short. January, however, deserves a title beyond that. Despite having the same number of days as May and October, it seems to drag on as time prolongs infinitely. A single day can feel like an entire week and each week feels as if it extends for a month. Time rolls at an unhurried pace in January. When checking the date and realizing how many days have passed, it often does not appear to add up. The month is ongoing and it may never actually reach February.
This shift in mood may arise from post-holiday clarity. After a festive shopping spree, individuals might evaluate their bank accounts and be forced to confront the magnitude of their spending. In result, restricting their ability to treat themselves. With no significant events to look forward to , everyone is compelled to go back to their regular day-to-day lifestyle. It is difficult to stay consistent and motivated when adapting to a change after spending days relaxing. On top of that, New Year’s resolutions often apply more pressure to those who might think they did not do enough the previous year. Often aspiring individuals improve themselves in the year ahead.
For us LHS students, the early weeks of January are often filled with overwhelming amounts of studying and cramming for semester exams. Naturally, this can lead to low spirits and anxiety. When the second semester begins and classes follow their regular schedule, the atmosphere in school becomes more serious, accompanied by more schoolwork. Unfortunately, there is not a long break on the horizon that students can look forward to for resting, relaxing and having personal time. While there are occasional Mondays or Fridays off, nothing compares to several days in a row free from the school building.
As winter should be coming to an end, the unpredictable weather in South Dakota continues to taunt its residents. Even in the absence of snow, the wind feels more frigid and makes you want to layer up. The sun is reluctant to shine, leaving many to wonder how much longer before summer will finally arrive . The harsh weather usually drives individuals to linger indoors and after a long day of school or work, the sun has already set. It is expected for the mood to shift during this period, with feelings of sadness or lower self-esteem. Additionally, the cold and flu season reaches its peak, leaving more people falling ill which is both uncomfortable and tends to make the days feel even more dreary.
When focusing on the discomfort of the month it is often to fixate on the duration of unease rather than the uncomfortably itself. This mindset can create a loop, making January the longest month of the year.
