How I'm (kind of) surviving winter
How is it only February 10th?
As far as I know, I’ve never experienced seasonal affective disorder. This year, I think I have something I could also call SAD: seasonal anger disorder. As in, I am angry at winter.
I don’t consider myself an outdoorsy person in the best of weather, and in winter I’m usually very much an indoor child. So it feels very spiteful of winter to actually decide to BE WINTER during the first year in many where I’m regularly doing an outdoor activity, namely running. Or rather, shuffling and sliding over slippery wet snow and packed down ice.
I guess winter is taking her revenge on me for giving her the cold (ha!) shoulder lo these many years. Since I might be angry, but not stupid (or not too stupid, anyways), I do realize it’s pointless to be mad at a season. Here are some the ways I’m trying to get through (even the long-range forecast is giving me two middle fingers as we speak):
Becoming one with my hot water bottle. My old bones are tired and I do not have the energy to create enough energy to turn into heat. Thus, I have outsourced this basic metabolic function.
Putting all my hot drinks in insulated mugs, even indoors. Winter is not going to rush me through a cup of coffee by making it cold within minutes.
Engaging in a silent war of helpfulness with my neighbour to see which of us can shovel the other’s sidewalk first. He almost always wins but I like to think I surprise him with an upset every now and again.
Going to the kind of yoga where I can roll around in cozy sweats. Yin yoga is the perfect vibe for someone who wants to roll off the couch, into the car, and onto their mat without changing out of their sweatpants.
Buying grocery store flowers. Not the most sustainable choice, but that $10 bouquet is doing a lot of mental health work that I do not have insurance coverage for right now.
Baking brownies and cupcakes. It’s essential to always have a freshly baked (from a store mix) treat on hand to go with those hot drinks.
Watching action movies on the treadmill. Since winter is f-ing with my run plans, I’m stuck on the treadmill for way too long. Ridiculous heist movies are helping.
Appreciating darker mornings. I can pretend it’s nighttime for as long as possible and stay buried under my covers, which is my primary happy place.
Buying limes to slice into fizzy drinks. Reminding myself that summer once existed and will again (probably?).
Staying moisturized. I will not let winter turn me into a dessicated husk on the outside, even though it has already done that to my soul.
What I’m reading: Circe, by Madeline Miller.
What I’m watching: Carry On was very stupid but very fun to watch while trying not to die doing intervals on the tread. Jason Bateman being evil was enjoyable.