About Gentleness Awareness Day
The purpose of this awareness day, observed on the third Monday in January, is simple yet powerful: to invite gentleness into ourselves, our homes, our workplaces, and our communities.
Gentleness is not weakness; it is a stabilising, human force that reduces stress, softens disconnection, and helps people feel safer, seen, and supported. It is something our culture is profoundly missing, and something that has the capacity to transform how we relate to one another.
First observed in 2006, Gentleness Awareness Day was created as a conscious counterbalance to Blue Monday, a concept originally developed by a travel agency as part of a marketing campaign, which has had unintended consequences. At this time of year, many people who already feel low and anxious find the anticipation of “Blue Monday” deeply unhelpful, even distressing.
How to Take Part
Throughout Gentleness Day, there will be Practical, experiential, creative, supportive and reflective free online and in-person events. All the shared events are hosted by people whose lives and work embody the energy of gentleness.
Each workshop will invite a deeper exploration of gentleness, with simple and meaningful ways to bring more of it into your life and thus the lives of others.
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