G-SPOT: All drink and no workout as others miss Jan goals

Some say it’s the month that feels like a whole year, but finally, at midnight, it will be over.

There are all sorts of life hacks available for those who want to make the month of seemingly slow days more bearable. For instance, some try to get you to focus on exercise and getting the body back in shape after the festive period excesses.

So at the start of the month, you begin to see people walking or even jogging around the neighbourhood, and gyms see an uptick in membership. But by mid-month, the spirit has been weakened by the never-ending financial stress and the constant wishing for it to be February.

Also, let’s face it, some of us were way out of shape before the festive season, and a month of frenetic exercise is not going to suddenly turn us into the picture we have in mind of the perfect body. Nevertheless, if it works for you, do what you must.

I never want it said that I discouraged people from trying every which way to look their best, even if it was clear that they were banging their heads against a brick wall.

Then there are those who take up what is known as the Dry January Challenge. This entails quitting all alcoholic beverages for the month.

Honestly speaking, I once thought of trying it, but the flesh was weak and the spirits were willing me to continue sipping them. I enjoy the occasional drink with a meal, and after-work beers with colleagues have always been a great way to wind down the day.

The idea of quitting for a whole 31-day month seemed like too much to ask. How the heck would I manage the NjaanuWorry tensions without the odd stress-relieving drink?

I know what some of you are thinking at this point because society generally believes there are three types of people: those who do not drink at all, those who are problem drinkers or alcoholics, and drinkers who have no issues with alcohol.

Frankly, I learned long ago how to cast off the shackles of fear and false beliefs to discover my own inner path. As such, I stopped worrying about what such people think of me. After all, as the saying goes, what you think of me is none of my business.

I don’t claim to be one of those self-help gurus. In fact, I think many of them are a hoax. But perhaps that’s a topic for another day.

What I do know, mainly from years of personal experience, is that we should employ as many smart strategies as possible to stretch our money and ensure it lasts through December to the next payday at the end of January.

Nevertheless, every year, many of us allow ourselves to get carried away. This is why life appears to slow down every year without fail and become filled with stress when the heat of January's financial struggles hits our pockets.

We've all seen the memes and GIFs on social media, all saying things to the effect that January is the Monday of months. Many have promised ourselves and maybe even others that we will do better next year, and I say good luck to you.

That said, I can predict most of us will be back here in 365 days, wondering how we let these ideals get away from us. However, if we are honest with ourselves, we will know exactly how it happened.

So if you are reading this for advice on how to manage NjaanuWorry the next time it rolls around, all I can say is, pole sana.

Meanwhile, now that the coins are jingling in the pocket and the crisp notes from the ATM are begging to be spent, at least February is a short month and this year it ends on a ‘Furahiday’. It really is as if the year is already trying to make up for the misery of the first month.