{"id":413929,"date":"2021-01-13T08:03:37","date_gmt":"2021-01-13T13:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/?p=413929"},"modified":"2021-01-13T08:03:37","modified_gmt":"2021-01-13T13:03:37","slug":"debunking-blue-monday-stunt-after-a-year-of-sadness-hope-tuesday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.marketnewsdesk.com\/index.php\/debunking-blue-monday-stunt-after-a-year-of-sadness-hope-tuesday\/","title":{"rendered":"Debunking Blue Monday stunt after a year of sadness: Hope Tuesday"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n Serendipity Survey by Bromwich+Smith shows pandemic positives can prevail<\/em>
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TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the country braces for a winter of continued lockdowns and an uncertain year ahead, a new national survey focuses on some much-needed positives and puts to bed the idea that there is a formulaic day for sadness, known as Blue Monday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n The Serendipity Survey\u00a0<\/em>by Licenced\u00a0Insolvency Trustees,\u00a0Bromwich+Smith,\u00a0is set to counter the annual narrative of Blue Monday, which is not only based on pseudo-science<\/a> (suggesting it is the most depressing day of the year) but has been under attack by its own author, who now campaigns against the idea of Blue Monday via his Twitter<\/a> using the hashtag #StopBlueMonday.<\/p>\n

The idea of Blue Monday originated in a 2005 travel company press release and has become part of the media narrative every January. But after a year of sadness and dozens of real Blue Mondays since the pandemic began, Bromwich+Smith felt it was the wrong sentiment and decided to seek out some pandemic positives through a survey of Canadians.\u00a0The Serendipity\u00a0Survey<\/em> is being used to highlight\u00a0Bromwich+Smith\u2019s own day to counter-program Blue Monday \u2013 Hope Tuesday. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n Hope over despair: Canadians valuing life at a slower pace and being alone <\/strong>
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In the survey, 1520 Canadians were asked, \u201clooking back, what were some surprisingly positive consequences, if any, that came out of COVID?\u201d and the top answer was \u201cI\u2019ve taken life at a slower pace.\u201d Meanwhile, three-in-10 (29%) have re-inspired their hobbies such as cooking, reading and art, while an almost equal number have been fortunate to save money (28%). \u201cGained a new perspective on life\u201d (27%) was next, followed by \u201c[the pandemic] brought me closer to my family\u201d (22%) and \u201cI\u2019ve become more comfortable being by myself\u201d (18%). Finally, eight per cent said COVID \u201callowed me to reset my life or make a career change that I always feared.\u201d<\/p>\n

The survey provides several glimmers of hope amid any seasonal sadness or overall pandemic fatigue. While on the negative side of the ledger, one-in-four Canadians (23%) felt there were no positives to come out of COVID, the majority of Canadians have been able to glean some good.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot forget all of those who have struggled with health, lost their lives or had loved ones die as a result of COVID,\u201d said Shawn Stack, Vice-President of Insolvency Practice, Bromwich+Smith. \u201cThe phrase \u2018it\u2019s darkest before the dawn\u2019 is extremely apt as we tumble headfirst into our second pandemic winter, reminding us to seek hope even in the worst circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite women being disproportionately impacted by the pandemic<\/a>, they are still somewhat likely to put a positive spin on COVID. Here are some standout findings by gender:<\/p>\n