Is it over at last? Even though January only spans 31 days, for countless people, the opening month of the year felt like it dragged on for an eternity.

Perhaps it was the realization that the holiday season has ended, the discomfort of bundling up in freezing temperatures, the commitment to abstaining from alcohol or just the relentless tide of breaking news. Regardless of the reasons, it seems many people are relieved to see January in the rearview mirror.

Celebrating February’s arrival? Here’s how people have expressed their feelings about this seemingly unending month.

31% of Americans rank January as their least favorite month

In addition to the widespread sentiment that January felt interminable—a recurring theme on TikTok—many simply do not enjoy this month.

According to a YouGov survey, January is rated as the least favorite month by 31% of Americans. To make matters worse, 13% outright reported that they despise it.

Content creators express shared frustration

To cope with the month that feels like a blur, many content creators took to social media to share their thoughts.

“I woke up and it’s still January. How is that even possible? It’s been January for ages,” said TikTok user Tell Williams, also known as @mrwilliamsprek, in a video that garnered over 3.3 million views. “I really need scientists to figure this out! Someone call Bill Nye because this can’t be real. I’m just exhausted.”

In another video racking up over 4.3 million views, Stephen Rigatoni humorously pretends to discuss his forgotten New Year’s resolutions with someone off-screen.

“Oh wow, I completely forgot about those. They seem like ages ago,” Rigatoni remarked when asked about his resolutions.

Joining the conversation, TikToker Riley Mitchell expressed his feeling that Christmas should already be approaching again.

“I honestly think January is its own year. We’ve been through so much craziness, and it’s only the first month of 2025,” Mitchell said. “I’m just saying, it feels like we’re already past the 14th week of the month, and it’s time to start putting our Christmas trees back up!”

Experts suggest sunlight, hobbies, and volunteer work for mental well-being

On a serious note, January can trigger feelings of sadness and anxiety for many. Around 5% of U.S. adults suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), often referred to as seasonal depression, as stated by the American Psychiatric Association. Factors such as gloomy weather, shorter days, and lack of Vitamin D contribute to this condition.

Allicia Baum, director of Missouri State University’s Counseling Center, mentioned that seasonal affective disorder is characterized by mood disorders occurring in a seasonal cycle. A diagnosis is typically made when symptoms persist for two weeks or more and impact daily life.

Baum encourages self-care through simple activities: take short walks if the weather permits, engage in hobbies, maintain a journal, and offer volunteer assistance.

“Devote some of your time to help others; it brings positive mental feedback. It’s a rewarding experience that can uplift your mood almost immediately,” Baum suggested.

Reflecting on January’s notable events

This month began tragically with a truck attack in New Orleans that resulted in 14 fatalities. The perpetrator, a U.S. citizen and Army veteran who claimed ties to the Islamic State, was shot dead by police.

On the same day, a Tesla Cybertruck close to the Trump International Hotel exploded, leading to one death and seven injuries.

January also kicked off with a nationwide blizzard followed by an Arctic cold front affecting large areas, alongside a significant weather event that struck the South. Meanwhile, California’s wildfires continued to rage, claiming at least 29 lives and destroying thousands of residences while burning over 57,000 acres.

In addition to these tragedies, former President Jimmy Carter’s funeral saw a gathering of five former presidents, and filmmaker David Lynch, recognized for “Twin Peaks” and “Blue Velvet,” passed away at 78.

Over the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, TikTok experienced a brief outage in the U.S.—lasting just over 12 hours—before being restored under promises to preserve the platform made by President Donald Trump, who was inaugurated for a second term the following day.

On January 22, a shooting at Antioch High School near Nashville, Tennessee, left two students dead, including the shooter, marking the year’s first school shooting, according to Education Week.

In a tragic incident, an American Airlines passenger plane collided with a Black Hawk helicopter near Reagan National Airport, resulting in a major search operation in the Potomac River for the deceased. None of the 64 individuals aboard the plane or the three on the helicopter survived.

The day after this horrific event, passenger Mercedes Stevenson was seen outside the security lines at Reagan National Airport sipping champagne, partly to calm her nerves. “This feels like the longest January ever. Every time I check my phone, there’s another alarming announcement. I’m fatigued by all this, regardless of my political views.”

(This story has been updated to include additional information.)

Contributors include: Karissa Waddick, Bailey Schulz, Eve Chen, and Bart Jansen.

Greta Cross reports on national trends. Find her on X and Instagram @gretalcross.