Blue Monday: a plan to overcome the January blues

Blue Monday – so called in the UK for being ‘the most depressing day of the year’ – falls this year on Monday 19 January.

While there is no scientific formula behind it, the day is recognised far and wide as one of the hardest as the long dark winter continues and many return to work after a busy holiday season and struggle to look to the months ahead with excitement.

How to overcome the January blues

If you want to combat the winter misery, having something to look forward to is key. A holiday, more time with the family, or perhaps even a really good plan for your retirement. January seems to feel like a long month, which is why now is a great time to plan for the year ahead (and beyond).

Why not dust off your wealth plan and check it still aligns with your long-term plans? Or, if you don’t have a wealth plan, take the time to think about it. It’s an incredibly useful tool to give yourself direction and something to look forward to for your future to allow you to enjoy a life well-lived.

With more people enjoying longer lifespans than ever before, smart financial planning has never been more important to secure a fulfilling future. We often find our clients don’t fully understand their financial situation, and sometimes even underestimate the extent of their wealth. Recognising this, we encourage them to explore broader options and consider how their wealth can help to realise their dreams.

But what exactly constitutes a life well-lived? In essence, it’s doing what fulfils you and brings you joy. It’s different for everyone and may even change over time, adapting to your life stages and circumstances. The key to achieving it is understanding your financial situation and having a flexible plan that aligns with your long-term vision.

Here are three steps we recommend focusing on to help you beat the January blues and to plan for a life well lived:

1. Define your future goals

Understanding your destination and the path you want to take makes setting out your journey much easier. While it doesn’t involve a rigid roadmap, having a vision of what a fulfilling life means to you provides a foundation for better financial planning for the future. For some, this might involve prioritising career growth and long-term financial stability. You may choose to focus on life stages like your retirement, your legacy, and other family considerations. You may even sit somewhere in between. Whatever your goals, getting clarity about your life’s aspirations will help you make well thought-out financial decisions.

2. Find a wealth planner you can trust

Managing your finances can sometimes feel like riding a rollercoaster. Good insight is important and during these turbulent times, meeting with a wealth planner who takes the time to fully understand your goals, who knows precisely where you aim to be, and also knows how the markets work, can free up the time you need to focus on your personal journey.

Through our work helping wealthy individuals and their families, we have seen first-hand the complications they can face. This could be due to an international lifestyle, complex financial structures, or changing personal circumstances. When choosing someone to guide your financial decisions, it’s important that they understand your situation and can provide personalised advice tailored to your needs. 

3. Create and execute your wealth plan

Having a wealth plan that aligns with your future will help bring you peace of mind. These days many people lead extremely busy lives and do not have the time to meticulously map out their financial path.

We work with our clients to create their bespoke wealth plan that is carefully constructed to guide them through life up to the age of 100. That may seem a bit drastic but based on the latest estimates from the United Nations, it’s a fast-growing age group. Studies estimate there could be as many as 3.7 million people aged 100 or more, by 2050 (in the world?).

Armed with a plan, you can confidently make informed financial decisions that align with your goals.

An effective wealth plan will set out the overall strategy you should follow for your savings, investments and pensions, to achieve your financial goals. It should include stress testing to set out what action you could take if things turn out differently than you anticipate, such as an unexpected illness or incapacity, a prolonged stock market fall, lower investment returns or higher than forecast taxes.

As life rarely goes exactly to plan, it is important to review your wealth plan regularly. An experienced wealth planner can work with you to mitigate risks and ensure your plan remains relevant and is keeping you on course to reach your financial objectives.

Life isn’t only about reaching milestones though; it’s also about enjoying the journey and pursuing what brings you happiness along the way. When you work with a wealth planner, you can be assured that you are being supported on your path towards achieving your goals, leaving you to enjoy the things that truly fulfil you.

So, beat the Blue Monday blues this January by making a plan that works for you and gives you plenty to look forward to, not just this year, but in the years to come too.