I wasn’t going to answer this particular blog prompt because I don’t think I complain all that much. I suppose it’s possible I do complain at times to other people, and it might seem to them that I complain a lot, but since I spend most of my time alone, to me, those complaints seem few and far between. I do, however, tend to mention how fast time is passing, which could be construed a complaint.
January especially seems to skim by me with barely a nod to the passing days. By the middle of the month, I’m usually bemoaning the speed which the year is passing, and by the end of the month, I figure the year is all but done.
But not this year. This January seems interminably long. It feels as if the month should be over, and yet there’s still most of a week remaining. I don’t suppose it matters how fast the month seems to be passing except that it screws up with my internal clock. Also, I am trying to do a “dry January,” and having to be extra cognizant of what I eat is wearing on me.
[I learned of Dry January (a program started in the UK in 2013) from my sister who follows this program, and since I don’t drink, I decided to show my solidarity by eschewing sugar and wheat, with of course, the goal of trying to reset my metabolism and eating habits. (I always try to eat as healthy as I can, but I find as the year progresses, I slip more and more from my goal, and I wanted to give myself a good start to the new year.)]
I suppose my starting Dry January early (the day after Christmas) could be making the month seem longer, but the Christmas treats were gone, and so was the tree. (I wrapped the fully decorated fake tree in cushioning packing materials, stuck in in a heavy trash bag and took it down into the basement, ready to pull out for next year. It makes it so much easier to put up a tree when it’s already decorated!) So there was no reason to wait to start that particular resolution. But even given that I started the “dry” month early, there’s no reason for January to seem so long.
Oh, well. It will eventually be over, February will fly by, and I will soon be complaining again about fast time is passing.
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Pat Bertram is the author of Grief: The Inside Story – A Guide to Surviving the Loss of a Loved One.
Bertram's Blog 
January 26, 2026 at 7:34 am
I have a few neighbors who still have their Christmas lights flashing outside their houses. Not that it matters. I’m just sayin’.
January 26, 2026 at 7:54 am
I like my way better. Just get it done!
January 26, 2026 at 8:25 am
Agreed this month is forever. February has to be better. It really doesn’t help that we have such cold. My little dog jumped down from the bed last night and hurt his leg. So I do have to walk more slowly to give him a little relief. Of course, that makes me colder and I am in misery. Too used to Hawaii and CA. Have a good day.
January 26, 2026 at 9:15 am
I’m sorry about your dog. I hope he gets well soon. Take care of both of you.