I fell off the blogging wagon. Nothing I’ve written has been
fit to put out into the world.
Lately, weekends excursions have consisted of grocery shopping and… grocery shopping.
I think many of us struggle in the winter. Going outside is
a production of hats, scarves, boots, gloves, coats, and possibly a second pair
of socks. It may not seem like a bit deal, but when you’re already depressed
and don’t want to leave the house this is just one more barrier.
It’s also cold (depending on
where you live) and it seems easier to just stay inside where it’s warm. For
me, this means my dog is the only interaction I get with a living creature. So,
no actual human interaction. No one to talk with face to face.
Speaking of the dog, she isn’t getting long walks. They’re
good for her, but they’re also part of my self-care plan. Being outside in
nature makes me feel happy. I can’t explain why. Maybe it has to do with being
surrounded by life. Maybe it’s not being cooped up in four walls. And if the
sun is shining it’s even better. I tilt my face towards the light and full on
bask.
I grew up in the Great Lakes region of the United States. It’s
cold af around those parts. I grew up on the bad side of the Lake where lake
effect snow is real and sucks. Sometimes we’d go weeks without seeing the sun. Even
when I’ve lived in warm climates, I’d get depressed in the fall because I knew winter
was coming. While living in Southern California, I got this hollow feeling in
the pit of my stomach come October. It was still beautiful there, but I spent
so long dreading winter that the fall became a traumatic event.
Wherever you are, I hope the winter isn’t kicking your ass.
And if it is, I hope you’ve not melted into the couch or bed. All my Great
Lakes homies, you’re in my thoughts and daily meditations. Those of you at the
top of WI and MI, I hope you still have all your fingers and toes! You guys are
the definition of hardcore.
