I’m going through a bit of a New Year’s slump. While everyone else is making resolutions and starting diets and workout programs, I’m contemplating crawling back into bed and spending the entire day watching Lifetime movies.
I don’t know what my problem is, except that I hate winter. I really do. I enjoy PARTS of it, like Christmas and the first snow and that hike I went on with my SIL last year, but for the most part I hate the cold, gray days, the dry skin, the constant illnesses, and most of all the getting-dark-at-4pm part. Seasonal affective disorder, you’re a nasty foe.
BTW, can I just tell you how upsetting it is to me to see Christmas trees discarded on the curb on Dec. 26? There are 12 DAYS of Christmas, people! Remember the song? The wise men didn’t even make it to the manger until Jan. 6! Well, that’s the date of Epiphany in 2013, anyway. But the point is, starting Christmas right after Halloween and ending it the day after Dec. 25th is just wrong. Besides, what’s the hurry? A pretty, lighted tree makes the dark days of January almost manageable. Or maybe I’m just a procrastinator.
I’m trying to rally. I’m forcing myself to fight the crowds at the gym, take the dog for a walk now and then for some fresh air, going to bed early, eating healthy food. But the “why bothers” keep creeping in.
Anyone got any words of advice for me? Short of booking a trip to Hawaii, got any tips or tricks for renewing one’s enthusiasm and making it to spring with one’s sanity intact? I’m all ears.
PLUG O’ THE DAY: I just realized it’s been exactly one year since I launched my ebook, Mama Insider: Laughing (And Sometimes Crying) All the Way Through Pregnancy, Birth, and the First 3 Months. If you know any new moms who need a laugh, spread the word, will you? And if any of you got one of those new-fangled Kindle thingies for Christmas, you can buy the Kindle version on Amazon.
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I am SO in the same boat, and am in agreement with everything you said. My tree, with its pretty, sparkly lights is still up, and will stay that way for at least another week. I try very hard to get outside in the daylight for at least a few minutes, especially if the sun ever peaks through the clouds. I went running in the sunshine a few days ago, and I was in such a good mood for the rest of the day it was almost comical! I am listening to our local Christian radio station because they are still mixing in Christmas music with their regularly scheduled programming. Also, a little retail therapy doesn’t hurt, and a lot of my favorite stores are having year end clearances that are hard to pass up. 🙂
Yay, another Christmas tree procrastinator! And good call on the retail therapy. I have some store credits & gift cards to use up. 🙂
I say, go to Hawaii! 🙂 We must live at the same latitude, or something. Winter in your neck of the woods sounds awfully similar to winter here. I make sure to take my vitamin D, and that seems to help me. I’m considering investing in a sunlamp for my desk. They aren’t cheap, but neither is therapy! I agree about Christmas decs. I really wish people would leave their outdoor lights on until at least the end of January, or until the darkest days of winter have past. (And I did take down the tree over the weekend, but the kids and cats were driving me CRAZY playing around it and knocking it off-kilter. Plus we put it up the day after Thanksgiving. After more than a month, it needs to come down.)
Yeah, well, you’re a lot closer to Hawaii than I am! Vitamin D, huh? I’ll have to check if my multivitamin includes that.
We put our tree up early this year and it’s the first time I’ve ever been ready to get rid of it before Epiphany…though we won’t; we’ll keep it up to the end. I’m going to remember that for next year, though. And–I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to hear you invoke the 12 days of Christmas, btw!
Okay, now for the serious stuff. I think in some ways it’s the very darkness and blah-ness of the winter that makes it so great to have New Year’s here. It gives you something to focus on to push toward spring. Don’t you think? Exercise, woman! I’ve done Jazzercise twice today and I’m bouncing off the wall with energy. 🙂 Totally convinced.
Ok, Ok. I guess I can step up my slow plodding on the treadmill…
My wife, the Lovely Miss TK had the same problem with winter in Ohio and she would just crawl into a grumpy hole once November arrived and would not come out until April. Once we moved away to the South and then California, it was like night and day. We have been in Charleston, SC now for nearly 14 years and it is only dark and glum for such a short time that it never really takes hold of you.
The only real suggestion that works is to move to a more southern latitude and enjoy the warmth, the light and the lovely sun.
Well, Maryland is much better than Connecticut, where I grew up, so I guess I should be thankful for that! It’s true the cold, dark days don’t last as long as they do some places.
A weekend trip away. Someplace…warmer. Read a good book. Road trip on a Sunday to anywhere.
Indoor rock climbing. Rent all the Oscar nominated movies and watch them.
Take up basket weaving…ok, that one was just me being sarcastic but try to find something out of the normal routine. Something that makes you take a risk (a calculated one) and gets your adrenaline pumping.
Not sure about basket weaving, but indoor rock climbing is an interesting thought. There’s actually a place around here to do that. Thanks for the idea!
Oh Abby. I am here in Maryland with you. Near Fallston. And I sent an email to a few of my friends a few days ago nearly exactly the same as your post here (though not as well written, I am sure). I was looking for suggestions as well to get through these after-Christmas-why-isn’t-it-Spring-yet blues. I have zero desire to go down to work in my craft room. I have no desire to clean up or to bundle up and go outside. However, I am trying to pull out of it. Actively trying. I am attempting to be more active with my church. I finally for the first time joined a gym. And went inside said gym. And actually did some sweating (and not just from nerves). I also did some shopping like someone else here mentioned. I had some points at toysRus that turned into dollars off and their Christmas stuff is 75% off so I bought two bags of stuff and only spent $6.97 of my own money. I am actually reading the book for my bookclub this month. I am also actively reaching out to help my friends. I have been offering to watch their kids and hosting playgroups with my Mom’s Club. It helps me to stay busy and the busy-ness seems to hold the blahs at bay somewhat. Best of luck to you. Please know that there are others out here in the same boat as you are!
Glad to hear we’re in the same boat, Steph. I got some books out of the library, got a haircut, and used store credit to get a designer handbag for $4 today! Plus I went running outside, if you can believe that, in the COLD, because of Sarah’s and Kate’s suggestions (above). God bless my blog readers! I really am feeling less blah already, though.
Yes, my advice is come to Charleston. Visit me! Although the weather is so inconsistent here, but we get an occasional warm day. What you describe is a lot like what I experienced when I lived in Portland, and then in college when I had to walk to class. Typically, I stay inside as much as possible when the weather is bad, and I like the atmosphere in my gym. I’ve not felt that way about all gyms, so who knows what makes this one different for me. Also, I think you’re right about the Christmas tree. Even though ours is down, I do think it should stay up into the new year, and I’m going to consider that next year.
I leave a comment whenever I like a article on a website or I
have something to add to the discussion. Usually it is a result
of the passion communicated in the article I read.
And after this article New Year’s Should Be in the Summer — Abby Off the Record.
I was actually moved enough to drop a thought 🙂 I do have a couple of questions for you if
you don’t mind. Could it be just me or does it seem like some of the responses come across like left by brain dead
individuals? 😛 And, if you are posting at additional online social sites,
I’d like to follow everything new you have to post.
Would you list the complete urls of your public sites like your linkedin profile, Facebook page or twitter feed?
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