The concept – which was first coined by physiologist Cliff Arnall back in 2004 – suggests that the third Monday of every January is “the most depressing day of the year”, with a theory that essentially claims that this is the time of year when we’re all cold, broke and riddled with guilt that our New Year’s resolutions to get fit, drink less alcohol, and be a better human being, have fallen by the wayside.
It’s certainly been met with its skeptics over the years for a number of reasons, but of course in 2021, we’re also dealing with yet another national lockdown on top of those annual January difficulties.
One Manchester-based business is proving to be the perfect antidote to those dreary days though – and it “exists to remind people that we are all just humans”.
If you’re local to the city centre, you may know the Feel Good Club from the success of its brand-new wellbeing-focused cafe – which opened in the heart of the Northern Quarter in October of last year – but the movement actually started humbly as an Instagram page filled with uplifting messages and top tips by founders Kiera and Aimie Lawlor-Skillen.
ADVERTISEMENT
The carefully-curated social media page is aimed at normalising the stigma around mental health and has since flourished into a successful platform of 177K+ followers.
And through consistently posting inspirational quotes to live by, daily reminders to keep you in check, and “things you need to hear” all in aesthetically-pleasing pastel-coloured squares, alongside picture updates from the coffee house and the owners themselves – even their four-legged friend – following Feel Good Club on Instagram is one of the biggest favours you can do yourself this Blue Monday.
ADVERTISEMENT
We don’t know exactly what this year ahead will bring, but we know that becoming a member of the Feel Good Club community with just one simple social media follow is something you won’t regret.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKLczjZjidB/
Whether you believe the concept of Blue Monday to be somewhat of a myth or not, there’s no denying that repetitive lockdowns and ongoing restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have had a detrimental effect on mental health in the UK, with the latest studies by leading mental health charity MIND finding that more than half of adults (60%) and over two thirds of young people (68%) said their mental health got worse during the first lockdown.
And both people with and without previous experience of mental health problems reported poor mental health and wellbeing during that period too.
ADVERTISEMENT
Google search data compiled by Feel Good Club also showed the increasingly-worrying rise in mental health searches, with a 25% uplift in the UK overall, and searches for how to deal with anxiety also up by 53%, how to cope with OCD up 89%, and searches for tips on how to cope with depression up 67% too.
So yes, while it is true that these “unprecedented times” we are living through are affecting some of us more than others, it is nevertheless taking its toll on us all – and it’s absolutely okay to acknowledge this.
Help is out there.
If you or anyone you know is struggling right now, please know that you are never alone and there are many different places you can reach out to for support right here in Greater Manchester.
Suffering in silence never need be the way.
ADVERTISEMENT
Manchester Mind – An organisation that has supported people in Manchester for over 30 years. Most services are now available over the phone, by email or video call. The number is 0161 769 5732 and the opening hours are Mon – Fri 10am – 2pm.
The GM Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust – The local NHS helpline is open 24/7 which you can call any time, day or night, if you feel your mental health is beginning to suffer: 0800 953 0285.
Andy’s Man Club – A group dedicated to starting conversations about mental health, assuring people that it’s ok to talk. You can contact them by email on: [email protected].
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably supports people via phone and webchat. You can call 0800 58 58 58 or speak to a support worker online. Open 5pm to midnight.
Samaritans – The Manchester & Salford Samaritans offer emotional support by telephone and email. The phone lines and email support are available 24/7. Call 116 123 or visit the website.
And remember, no matter how many times it may have been said before, it cannot be said enough – it’s okay not to be okay, and your emotions are always valid.
Ofcom reveals top 10 most complained-about moments on TV in 2025 after ‘busy’ year
Emily Sergeant
It’s that time of year once again… Ofcom has revealed what the top 10 most complained-about moments were on TV last year.
In what has become an annual tradition we all wait for with baited breath, the UK’s official communications regulator – which receives and deals with tens of thousands of complaints all throughout the year – has taken a look back at the previous year and pulled together a top 10 list of what the most complained-about TV moments were.
This year, it’s no surprise to see the usual offenders like Love Island, Good Morning Britain, and Big Brother make the cut – but which claimed the top spot for 2025?
Ofcom admitted 2025 was a ‘busy year’ for its team, received almost 50,000 complaints about more than 8,000 TV, radio, and on-demand programmes.
The regulator says this is a ‘clear sign’ that audiences care deeply about what they watch and listen to.
“Every single complaint matters,” Ofcom said in a statement as the top 10 list was revealed. “We carefully review each and every one, ensuring that all broadcasters are held to the same high standards that UK viewers and listeners expect.”
In what is a landslide, but unfortunate, victory for Love Island, the hugely popular ITV reality show actually claimed the top three places on this year’s most-complained about list, racking up a whopping 8,058 complaints in total and the majority of those relating to alleged bullying behaviour towards contestant Shakira.
The top five was rounded out by Channel 5’s Vanessa show, which related to a discussion on breastfeeding and its benefits, and GB News’ Headliners section, which objected to a presenter’s comment which they believed linked the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles.
Top 10 most complained-about TV moments of 2025
Love Island – ITV2, 24 July 2025 – 3,547 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 22 July 2025 – 2,509 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 23 July 2025 – 2,002 complaints
Vanessa – Channel 5, 10 June 2025 – 1,866 complaints
Headliners – GB News, 22 January 2025 – 1,391 complaints
Today with Samantha Washington – Sky News, 7 June 2025 – 1,302 complaints
Love Island – ITV2, 25 July 2025 – 1,296 complaints
Love Island: All Stars – ITV2, 12 February 2025 – 1,240 complaints
Celebrity Big Brother – ITV2, 9 April 2025 – 1,008 complaints
The BRIT Awards 2025 – ITV1, 1 March 2025 – 938 complaints
Love Island, and it’s accompanying Love Island: All Stars series – which actually begins airing its third series next Monday (12 January 2026) – claimed another three spots in the top 10, again all relating to alleged bullying behaviour.
Celebrity Big Brother also features, with complaints relating to comments made by Mickey Rourke to JoJo Siwa.
Finally, The BRIT Awards 2025 closes out the top 10, with complaints relating to a number of issues – including Sabrina Carpenter’s opening dance routine, and to Charli XCX’s outfit.
It is always worth noting, however, that this top 10 list figures don’t include complaints about programmes on the BBC, as under the BBC Charter, these are handled by the BBC in the first instance as part of the ‘BBC first process’.
Featured Image – Piotr Cichosz (via Unsplash)
Trending
Oldham Athletic’s next game postponed amid red weather warnings
Danny Jones
Oldham Athletic FC’s next game has been postponed amid red weather warnings, with a frozen pitch having already set in.
We suspect they won’t be the only ones either…
Oldham Athletic were set to take on Notts County FC at home this weekend, with the upcoming fixture set for a 3pm kick-off on Saturday, 10 January, but the state of the Boundary Park stadium’s playing surface has already been declared unfit for use.
Informing the fans of the unfortunate decision, the rescheduled date and time for the match remain yet to be confirmed.
Saturday's home fixture against Notts County has been postponed due to a frozen pitch. #oafc
Addressing supporters online, OAFC wrote: “An inspection took place on Thursday afternoon with the pitch frozen following persistent freezing temperatures since our last home game on New Year’s Day and further adverse weather forecast.
“The inspection was called due to persistent freezing temperatures and in anticipation of further adverse weather between now and kick-off. Tickets will remain valid for the rearranged date, and refunds can be claimed after the new date is confirmed.”
As for Notts County, they have also updated their fans on social media.
They have assured that “tickets purchased for this fixture will [also] be valid for the rearranged date” and that “supporters who require a refund will be able to do so after the date for the rearranged fixture is announced.”
Postponement comes amid parts of Oldham, Greater Manchester and other areas across the country being hit with severe weather warnings, which have now been upgraded from an initial yellow rating.
2026’s first named storm, the weather event dubbed by Goretti by the French meteorological service, is set to bring further frosty conditions and blustery winds to us Brits.
The UK received its first snowfall of the year earlier this month, but this next pattern of cold air is set to see even more arrive, with the forecast potentially running into next week.
As for the Latics, the 15th-placed League Two team will have to wait until their ground thaws out to try and make up ground between them and the play-off spots.
Worth keeping an eye on the Met Office if you were planning a trip to the footy over the next few days.
Emily Sergeant -
18th January 2021 
