January Sucks

There is no better way to say it: January sucks. I know these words are not very eloquent and may be a bit crude, but it is true. After the hope of the holidays and the blessing of winter break, there is just no denying the tremendous letdown of January. Everyone is supposed to be happy about a new year with new possibilities and new potential, but I see no thrill ushering in another year. How does the stroke of midnight automatically change you? To tell you the truth, on New Year's Eve, I was in bed by 10 pm. That is partly because I have little kids who wake up by 7 am every morning no matter what day it is, but the other part is because I honestly just don't care. Despite all the talk of starting anew, in reality, most people break their resolutions by the middle of the month (if they last that long) and go back to their old way of life. Same old, same old.
It is just so hard to be cheerful this time of the year. The days are short and cold and miserable. The nights are long and cold and miserable. I go to work in the dark, and if the sun even makes an appearance, it is gone by the time we eat dinner. The temperature usually only varies 10 - 20 chilly degrees each day, so everyone has to disguise him/herself with several outer garments - hats, scarfs, mittens or gloves - just to leave the house. Who wants to go through all that trouble, just to be greeted by an arctic rush as soon as you step outside your door? Not me.
I feel like hibernating. The only thing I actually want to do is sleep in, stay in my pajamas, wear my slippers, burrow under a blanket, eat chocolate and drink good coffee - all day long. The world is colorless and dead outside. Maybe if it actually snowed, I'd feel better about the dreariness, but right now, it all just feels gray. I even feel gray - dull, drab, boring. I can hardly wait for the pink and red of Valentine's Day and the green of March. I am already ready for some color to bloom. January just sucks.