Summary

The author describes a family ski trip in the French Alps taken to celebrate a birthday on Blue Monday, emphasizing the joy of being in the mountains and the importance of family time, while also announcing that all proceeds from their Medium account in 2022 will go to charity.

Abstract

The author recounts a recent family ski trip to the French Alps, which coincided with Blue Monday, traditionally known as the most depressing day of the year. Despite the challenges of COVID-19 travel restrictions, the family managed to turn the day into a celebration of life and togetherness. The trip was especially meaningful as it marked the author's wife's birthday and their first family ski holiday in several years. The author reflects on the beauty of the mountains and the perspective it brings, contrasting it with the mundane worries of daily life. The experience reinforced the importance of family and the joy of simple pleasures, such as walking and cycling in nature. Additionally, the author pledges to donate all earnings from their Medium account in 2022 to three charities that support children with cancer, disadvantaged youth, and the homeless.

Opinions

The author values escaping routine to reflect on life, considering it beneficial to have one's "head in the clouds" occasionally.
The author cherishes the beauty of the French Alps and the act of skiing, despite not being the most stylish skier, referring to themselves as "Monsieur Bean" on the slopes.
The family's determination to celebrate the birthday in the Alps despite COVID-19 obstacles reflects their positive outlook and resilience.
The author believes that the act of reading their Medium articles can contribute to helping others, as all proceeds will go to charity.
There is a strong emphasis on the importance of family time and shared experiences, especially in the context of overcoming the challenges posed by the pandemic.
The author is committed to giving back to the community through their writing, indicating a sense of social responsibility and altruism.

Celebrating beautiful Blue Monday

With your head in the clouds

I’ve often been accused of having my head in the clouds, but sometimes it’s a good place to be.

Sometimes, we need to get away and take time out to reflect on where we are in our lives.

That’s not been possible for a while. However, my family and I were incredibly fortunate to do just that last week after picking our way through the mishmash of Covid-related red tape and similarly colored herrings within hours of President Macron lifting the restrictions on non-essential travel to France.

The excursion was conceived months earlier to celebrate my wife’s birthday on what, this year, turned out to be Blue Monday, 17 January — Regarded by those unknown people who consider these things, as the most depressing day of the year.

I was determined it wasn’t going to be. I hung on to the prospect of our first family skiing holiday for several years. We were returning to the French Alps my eldest daughter had pleaded with us to visit as a family following her first school ski trip there as a teenager.

In our forties then, skiing for us had never been a viable option prior to that. We saved and went the following year as a family and loved it. We’ve returned many times since and despite being referred to as Monsieur Bean by my first French instructor and not the most stylish of skiers, I love everything about being in the mountains beneath blue skies.

For me, it’s one of life’s joys. Whether you’re skiing, snowboarding, or simply walking the snow-covered slopes, the sheer scale of breath-taking scenery somehow puts life in perspective and banishes those daily woes we become so wrapped up in.

Last-minute kerfuffle

With our fingers crossed for the green light to travel, we held out and once the restrictions were finally lifted, the excitement kicked in. It was all systems go with booking confirmations, sorting out transfers, and flight check-ins. Spirits were high.

Of course, it was a last-minute kerfuffle with the obligatory testing, form-filling and contradictory messaging pinging into our mobile devices of choice. But we were determined not to let the dreaded ‘C-word dash our plans.

Given what’s gone on during the past couple of years with various scuppered family trips and events and all the barriers we’ve had to negotiate with you know what lurking, planning anything has been challenging, to say the least.

But nothing was going to stop us and we were rewarded with a wonderful, somewhat unexpected, birthday celebration in the Alps which I’m sure my wife will treasure for many years.

The day itself was filled with birthday banners, singing, cards, presents, flowers, and lots of cake, but what made it so special was getting away as a family, up in the mountains. Blue Monday was well and truly banished.

The family excelled in every sense and made it such a special day, but it also served to remind us all how lucky we are and to appreciate each other, our family, and everything we have.

While we may not be able to get to the mountains as often as we’d like, it also reinforced the importance of spending more time together as a family with days out walking, cycling, and enjoying the hills and woods closer to home.

We’re getting on with getting back to as much normality and positivity as possible.

We’ve started by dispensing with Blue Monday. Next year, we’ll be celebrating Beautiful Blue Monday.

It helps when you read

Every word read on my Medium account in 2022 is going to help someone. All money raised will go to the following registered charities:

Children with Cancer UK — Helping children and young people with cancer Young Gloucestershire — Supporting disadvantaged young people facing challenges in their lives The Big Yellow Bus Project — Shelter and support for the homeless

It’s a small gesture and it’s not going to change the world, but if it helps one person, it’s worth it.

Thank you for clapping and making a difference.