Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Winter Doldrums

Has anyone else been suffering from the winter doldrums? I definitely have, and I'm sick of it!

I've been feeling cranky, un-motivated, tired and really just blah. The worst part is that I truly have no reason for these feelings. Oh sure I could attribute it to many things. The cold weather, the fact that we've been cooped up, the nagging cold I've been fighting for two weeks, the letdown of the holidays ending, etc. But I feel like none of that is worthy enough for me to be feeling this way, so then I feel guilty on top of it because really, why have I been so cranky?

Finally I had enough and decided that it's not worth figuring out why I feel this way, I just do. Instead of wasting my energy looking for reasons I need to snap myself out of it. And I have been, slowly but surely.

My first step was to acknowledge that I have these feelings to others. I told Dan i'm cranky and I don't know why. I told some of my close friends how i'm feeling. Just saying it out loud seemed to lift a load from my shoulders. (Thank you to those who let me vent!)

Secondly, I've stepped up my healthy eating and water drinking habits. I feel better physically when I eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and when I drink more water. Feeling better physically leads to better emotional and mental health.

Then I cut myself a break. I've been feeling guilty about all the things I haven't been doing because my computer was broken. I haven't been blogging, I haven't been able to read and comment on other blogs, I've let some opportunity's slip away that I was really hoping to participate in. All of this was very disappointing, and making me feel overwhelmed and like I would never catch up. So, I decided not to bother. Everything that I haven't gotten to do is in the past. Now i'm going to move forward and do all the blogging related things I want to do, without rushing around to get to the things I've missed.

And lastly I upped my social interactions. I took the kids to a playdate on Friday, which was great for them but even better for me. I chatted with my mom friend whom I haven't spent any real time with in months. It was refreshing to catch up with her and to get out of the house for something other than school drop off or errands.

Then I had time out with my family. We went to lunch yesterday, just the four of us, and it was so nice to be together out of the house.

And this morning I went for a coffee date with three of my dearest friends. We've known each other for years, and always have a blast catching up with each other. We've decided to make our coffee/brunch ritual a once-a-month habit, and knowing that I have that to look forward to just makes me smile. There's nothing quite like talking with people who know you almost as well as you know yourself.

I know the winter can be tough, especially when you have young children that you're trying to keep occupied. I'm glad I was able to start pulling myself out of these doldrums, and even though I know there's still many weeks of winter i'm hoping I'll continue to feel better going forward.

How has this winter been for you so far? Feel free to share any tips you have for getting rid of bad moods that hang on for weeks!


21 comments:

  1. Aww I could have written the beginning of this post! That's exactly how I've been feeling too, without being able to pinpoint it. Thanks to you though, I've started to exercise (I've found a few great shows on on-demand that I've been using for yoga & cardio) and that is helping A LOT. And I've upped my water in-take. I've also been trying to eat more balanced meals during the day. I haven't seen MUCH change as I've just started all this less then a week ago but I feel better that I've started to put things in motion! Your last blog post on your January Resolutions is what made me start to get my rear in gear!

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    1. I'm sorry that you've been going through these doldrums too...at least we know we're not alone! And i'm glad my last post inspired you :) Taking care of physical health really does make a difference in how you feel psycologically and emotionally.

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  2. All I can say is ME TOO! I have been in a massive funk and the only cure for the is spring time. I planted some herbs to grow in my kitchen because as weird as it sounds I miss the smell of dirt and I bought a springy smelling candle. That's all I've got for now until March rolls around! Winter is so hard especially for me with all these kids trapped inside so I definitely feel for you.

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear you're in a funk too :( It's such a tough time of year. I'm glad to hear you've found a few ways to get that dirt smell back! I give you a lot of credit for staying sane with all those kids cooped up inside. We'll make it through and then spring will be here before we know it :)

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  3. Ugh! Totally in the winter doldrums! But I"m pulling myself out of it too!! I know one way you can help yourself get out of it...see me on Friday!! ;)

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  4. TOTALLY feel the same way. I am so ready for the sunshine of spring and summer! It's so tough this time of year. The kids get so crazy, they just want to go outside and run around.

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  5. Trust me, you're not alone! In addition to being cranky, I am tired all the time, too. Ugh. Good for you for acknowledging it and doing something about it ... I just keep complaining and wishing spring would hurry up :)

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  6. Yea so its snowing here today which means its also freezing and not sunny. FUNK FUNK I am in a funk!

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  7. Thank you for this refreshing post. I feel the same way. You're not alone. I think exercising helps me, but it's not easy to get motivated every day. I enjoy driving to the beach and looking out at the water. Something about it helps cheer me up and makes me appreciate where we live. RI is beautiful.

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  8. Right there with you! And the shorter days don't help - I feel like I can never get it all done, so then things get pushed off and pile up, making it all seem even worse. Like I'll never escape the doldrums and be stuck in winter forever! The healthy eating and increased water are helping me too, now I just need to find more time to increase my exercise!!

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  9. I've been feeling very blah, too! I miss the sun, the warmth, and being outdoors!
    I'm glad you're finding ways to snap out of it!

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  10. Yes, I can totally relate, especially the unmotivated part, which I am trying to change! I definitely think social activity helps, it does for me, and it makes me get out of my sweats!

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  11. I've felt like this too, so bad I don't even do laundry because it's so cold in the basement. It's been too cold to even walk to pick the kids up at school (it's too cold for Stella). I don't mind winter, but when it's this cold and I'm able to walk I get really cranky.

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  12. I try to stretch - just a tiny bit first thing in the morning - it's nothing fancy, nothing lengthy, but it feels SO good and sometimes it makes me go longer than I'd planned!

    This bitter weather is tough - my friend and I decided to start walking after the bus left in the morning - we did it one day and it was amazing! Fresh air, exercise and fun chatting - then the temperatures dropped and we canned it for now! I'm looking forward to starting back up when it's bearable outside!

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  13. I'm with you. Starting with PPD, and now adding in the whole "winter blahs" I'm kind of a mess and it has definitely had a negative impact on my life, all the way to losing friends. I'm just not myself at all!
    I cannot wait til spring!!

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  14. Winter sucks. I was not made for this season. It is impossible to get motivated when you are under the warm covers, sitting in front of a warm fire, standing in a warm shower. I prefer to be warm! I count my blessings when we have random warm ups (like the temperature this Wednesday I hear) and throw open the windows and push myself to relish in every degree of it. It helps get through the times when it's torture to think about stepping outside. [The light bulbs that mimic sunshine help too, strange as it seems. Sometimes, the littlest things make a difference.]

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  15. Totally there! It is freezing out! I want to stay under the covers and not come out! I just can't wait till it gets warmer and we could relax outside. Only 5 more months..

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  16. Exactly! Great thoughts on how to get out of the funk. I hope that mynew juicing kick gives me some much needed energy!

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  17. This is why my hubby has such a hard time with being in RI!! The dull and drab winters. =(

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  18. The winter is never easy! But time with the ones you love, like you did, really is the best remedy. Hoping the weather folks are right about warmer weather ahead...I'll take anything over freezing!

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  19. So glad you took action to stand up to the winter doldrums. I think everyone who lives in a cold winter climate knows exactly how you feel - I know I do! I try to remember that spring is only weeks away... and we're getting closer to it every day!

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