Winter Blues

It happens every year. At least for me it does. Since I've advanced beyond childhood (just a few years ago). I'm talking about the Winter Blues. That time of the year where a sense of the doldrums surrounds us.

Every year Thanksgiving kicks off the Holiday Season. Then for another five weeks or so we prepare for and then celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, Festivus and of course the New Year.

As we get back to normal, come the second week of January, it hits. The Winter Blues. It's that sense of, "now what happens?" Should we get excited about Ground Hog Day? The festiveness of the holidays are over. Now the long stretch of limited sunlight and bundle up chill sinks in for what feels at times, endless. I also refer to this time of year as "Stick Season", for the lack of green and bare trees all around us. It becomes a little smothering and feelings of depression hang like a cloud overhead.

Of course the "winter blues" and true depression are ultimately different things. Anyone dealing with long term real depression should be seeking help, as this is a much more serious issue. What I'm referring to here, is that feeling, that you well know the source. The length of winter, 90 plus days.

As a child and at times as an adult, the occasional snowstorm would somehow brighten things up a bit. Of course, now later in my life, snowstorms tend to bring more stress between the pressure of trying to accurately predict them, as well as travel to and from work.

This year, on top of the normal blues, we just came through a streak of nearly two weeks in a row without any bright sunshine. That was salt in the wounds of the winter blues. Also, if you're a snow lover, you are probably going through a white stuff withdrawal. Bottom line here, is that even if you like some elements of winter, you are probably feeling cheated this year so far.

Winter isn't over yet, but even if we do see some snow, the reality is that we are two-thirds of the way through, with just a little over 2 inches of snow. Doesn't mean the pieces of the puzzle couldn't come together for one "biggy", but the odds and overall El Nino pattern seem to make this unlikely, but not impossible.

Enough about the weather aspect. This post was to address the issue of dealing with and overcoming some of the winter blues.

Of course the obvious would be to plan an escape somewhere warm and tropical for a week or so to recharge. Others may just want to have fun. Yes, even in the cold and snow. Skiing a few weekends throughout the winter can help. If you're like me, not a skier, or desire to be one, there's also snowboarding, or the less skill required snow tubing or snowmobiling, which I've done and enjoyed thoroughly.

If getting out into the cold isn't your thing, perhaps trying something different you can explore indoors. It could be taking on learning a new language. Perhaps taking a course in the arts and expressing skills you never knew you possessed. Maybe catch up on reading or joining a book club. It's never too early to start planning your Spring/Summer vacation or your garden, even though many months away.

The point is, while it's bland outside and seemingly depressing with most life dormant, you don't have to be. This is a greater time with less distractions to explore. Explore YOURSELF. You might just be surprised what you find.

As Cher said in Moonstruck...."Snap out of it!!!!!" Please feel free to drop a note and let me know what you do either to avoid or snap out of the winter blues.

Oh. P.S. The rodent groundhogs, the so called meteorologists of the underworld, are calling for an early Spring. Quite frankly, that has me a little nervous.

Sunshine Always!