Why is January So Long? Internet Frustrated as First Month of 2024 Feels Like an Eternal Stretch

This January is Januaring like no January ever Januaried. Can we all agree that the first month of the year has taken ‘never-ending’ to a whole new level? Absolutely. January seems to be running a marathon, but somehow, none of us got the memo. As we bid farewell to the holidays and step into the icy embrace of the new year, there’s this collective sigh that echoes across the globe: “Is it still January?!”

Scientists may argue that time is a constant with many months having 31 days, but January acts like it exists in its own unique dimension. Each day gets stretched out meticulously, like a piece of gum that just won’t snap. The calendar becomes a battlefield, and we find ourselves in an epic struggle against Father Time. As the days drag on, we end up in a perpetual state of ‘Januharry,’ where the frustration of the month’s unyielding length begins to take its toll.

And then there’s the internet, everyone’s go-to confessional booth. Users are constantly sharing how January is making them feel like an eternity. Amidst the frustration, a sense of camaraderie emerges. The shared jokes and memes become a rebellion, a way to poke fun at January’s attempt at time manipulation. As the final days of January approach, a collective sigh of relief echoes through the digital realm, signaling the end of the epic journey and the promise of a more manageable February.

“It’s been 3 months, why we still have a month n a half of January to go???” quipped one user on ‘X.’ “We are 6 months into 2024 and it’s still January,” came another, while a third lamented, “How is there still 9 days of January left.”

In the midst of the chaos, questions arise. Is January longer than other months? Did someone tamper with the space-time continuum? Did Earth’s rotation decide to take a stroll just to mess with us?

January follows the most event-packed month of the year, December, which also boasts 31 days but is a constant whirlwind of events to look forward to and recover from.

Zhenguang Cai, a PhD student at UCL specializing in time perception, suggests, “It is possible that re-starting work after the Christmas break leads to a lot of boredom (compared to fun during Christmas break), which in turn leads to the impression that time slows down in January.”

Moreover, many people set ambitious goals and resolutions for the new year in January. The initial excitement may fade as reality sets in, and progress toward these goals may feel slower than expected, contributing to the perception of a longer month.

In some regions, January is synonymous with cold and dreary weather, shorter days, and less sunlight. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can affect mood and energy levels during the winter months, making time feel like it’s dragging. Additionally, the aftermath of the holiday season, involving increased spending on gifts, travel, and festivities, can contribute to stress and a feeling of time dragging.

Lastly, there is a cultural perception that January is a time for new beginnings and fresh starts. The pressure to make positive changes and the anticipation of a ‘new year, new me’ mindset can heighten awareness of time passing.

Thus, despite January’s best efforts to feel like an eternity, fear not! The eternal January struggle is real, but remember, laughter is the best defense against time dilation. Keep those memes coming, and let’s conquer this marathon of a month together!