Is Irish Spring different from other countries?
I had a heated argument discussion with a student recently about the official start date for spring, and by the end of it, this wily Brazilian had almost convinced me that I was wrong that spring only begins this week. Thankfully, gentle reader, I’ve regained my senses and am here to assure you that spring is here.
Now, in fairness in Ireland, we have a complicated relationship with spring, it’s a bit of a ‘will they, won’t they?’ situation. This confusion can be attributed to the differences between the meteorological and astronomical calendars as well as the influence of Irish festivals on the Gregorian calendar.

When does spring really start in Ireland?
Today many Irish calendars support March as the harbinger of spring, however,
when I was in school, when the world was young and today’s vintage cheddar was still mild at best, the calendar on the wall declared that the first day of spring was February 1st!
Yes, that’s right, you read that correctly February was spring! This, of course, in turn, meant that May was summer, and August was autumn and don’t even get me started on November being winter, or we’ll be here all day. Overall, it was a simpler time, and since I’m also simple, I still consider spring to start in February.

Why does spring start in February in Ireland?
In terms of religion and paganism, February 1st also makes sense as the beginning of spring since it is the feast day of St Brigid, who is one of Ireland’s three patron saints. February was the beginning of the festival Imbolc because the flowers began blooming, the days lengthened, and lambs were born.
If you feel like being pedantic, then meteorologically speaking, spring starts on March 1st, but in my book, if there’s a lamb in the field and a flower in the garden, then it’s spring, it has sprung, and you’ve been caught unawares. You’ll find me hard to move on the subject.

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Ireland will close six nations tournament by hosting England at home on St Patrick’s weekend.

What countries are in the Six Nations rugby?

The 6 Nations Rugby Championship is one of the most exciting spectacles in the world of sport. Six European nations, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, duke it out for the ultimate prize in rugby. Dating back to 1883, it is one of the oldest and most prestigious competitions in the sport of rugby. It lasts for six weeks, with each team playing every other team once.

How often is the Six Nations tournament?

Given that the same countries compete every four years, the tournament allows fans to witness passionate rivalries between the teams. These include the historical enmity between England and Scotland and the more recent, yet no less intensely contested, competition between Ireland and Wales. This makes for reliably unforgettable clashes in the tournament.

How does 6 Nations scoring work?

The tournament structure is easily followed; teams earn four points for a win and two for a draw. The team with the most points at the end of the tournament is crowned the winner. So, experiencing the 6 Nations Rugby Championship is a guarantee of a fun and exciting way to spend your weekends. Whether a seasoned rugby fan or a complete novice, you’re guaranteed to have a blast. So, sit back, and enjoy one of the most entertaining events in the world of sports!

Why is the last match significant to Ireland?

Not to mention that this last match can be a title decider, and Ireland is playing against England; the 18th of March falls after Saint Patrick’s Day, the most crucial holiday in Ireland. The atmosphere during the 6 Nations is electric; imagine fans worldwide gathering in iconic venues, like Dublin’s own Aviva Stadium, to support their teams. Not only are we treated to world-class athletes on the field, but also enthusiastic supporters, who make the tournament one of the most anticipated events in the sporting calendar.

Come on, You Bhoys in Green!

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It is completely understandable that someone might feel this way, but that does not mean you have to just accept that you will feel sad during this period. There are plenty of ways to cope with feelings of loneliness during the time surrounding Valentine’s Day, and we selected a few of them to give you options to enjoy your Valentine’s Day without the feeling of rejection.

Have a Day for Yourself

If you are feeling lonely around mid-February and want to combat those feelings as much as possible, think ahead and plan a day for yourself where you can do all of your favourite activities.

If you enjoy being active and getting outside, maybe take a day either on Valentine’s Day or during that week to go hiking at a new spot. If you feel like you need a day to relax, treat yourself to a spa day.

Show yourself the kind of love you deserve.

When we show ourselves the love we desire, we are able to express and demonstrate love more easily toward others in our lives. At the end of the day, you are the only person that is there for you one hundred percent of the time and that knows exactly how you want to feel and be treated.  

Make Plans with Friends

One way to manage any negative feelings around Valentine’s Day is to schedule a get together with friends. The important friends we have in our lives are equally as significant as any partner.

What about getting together for a tasty dinner or watching your favourite movies? Spending time like this with your friends can help you recognize that Valentine’s Day is not only for those in romantic relationships and that there is more love in your life than you even realized.

Spread Love to Others

Since Valentine’s Day is all about showing love and appreciation at the core of it, it could be a great idea to go out of your way to spread love to others by volunteering somewhere or doing something special for a stranger that could be feeling the same way that you are feeling. Doing something thoughtful for another individual will surely brighten their day and will likely leave you feeling much better.

Remember it is Just Another Day

While it is nice to spend Valentine’s Day with a significant other and dedicate this day to showing how much you love and appreciate them, try to remember that this date is really just a day like any other and only holds as much value as you provide to it. Valentine’s Day has truly become tremendously commercialized and more about buying things for others than actually going out of the way to show love and appreciation toward others in your life. If the obsession surrounding Valentine’s Day has you feeling low, keep in mind that it is just a day and it will pass before you know it. 

It is wonderful to show those around us love and affection, but it is equally as important to show it to ourselves, as well.

Full article on: https://www.drmessina.com/blog/how-to-cope-with-valentines-day-loneliness

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The first day of the year is the day of resolutions, the day of the ‘new me’, the day we choose to change for the better. 

We always start with the best intentions, but for many of us, it lasts a week or two, and that’s it; sooner or later, we have to face disappointment and frustration for not being able to stick to our initial plan.

Are we putting too much pressure on ourselves?

Is January really the best month for new resolutions? 

Here are 4 reasons why January may not be the best option to set all your goals for the year: 

1 – Madness of December 

December is a crazy month of parties, food and drink. For many of us, in December, our routine includes pyjamas at lunchtime, festive dinners, a diet of leftovers for days and a considerable amount of chocolate and treats!

Then suddenly, on the 1st of January, with no time between, we come up with all these goals and new strict routines.

We should give ourselves time to return to everyday life and then start a new list of goals and practices.  

What about February as your new resolutions month?  

2 – Everyone else is doing it.

Everyone picks the 1st of January as the day they make all these big changes, putting pressure on us to do the same. But the only way to carry through with our resolutions is by having our own unique motivation.

3 – The darkest and coldest month. 

For many people, January can be a bad option to start a new routine: It’s freezing, dark, and it can rain quite frequently, a perfect recipe to lower the level of willpower and motivation and increase the desire to stay warm in bed.

4 – Too Much Contrast 

Christmas is about enjoyment and delight. The cupboards are filled with sweets, fancy foods and drinks. When we enter January, suddenly cut out food, and start going to the gym each day, we can feel a little deprived and overwhelm by the contrast between December and January’s habits. On top of that, we are waiting for the first payment post the bankruptcy caused by Christmas!

Things can be different this year if you feel, need or want. Set resolutions when you think it’s best for you!

If ‘Living abroad’ is on your list of resolutions for 2023, send us a message, and we will help you with that!

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