The transition from the holiday season back to the normal drudgery is so depressing. Is there any way to make Jan / Feb less depressing?
like, it’s still dark at 5pm, there are barely any sports on, still bitterly cold and austere and it hurts to go outside, but you’re not even looking forward to christmas or the new year. the new year is here, and it’s largely the same as last year. except you’re getting older.
We’re past the winter solstice. Take note of the sun setting a bit earlier each day. That always gives me a boost because I can look at my phone and see that condition improving. Good luck!
We often take a small vacation about January and go someplace warm.
I am not a morning person, but force myself to get up and go to work at 7 to maximize my daylight hours.
I have also found that bright lights help. The light bulbs in our house are bright. At work I have a lamp on my desk with three led bulbs (3 bulb adapter and slightly bigger shade). I got the idea from a podcaster that has 2 lamps on his desk for winter.
You could do what they do in colder places and buy brightly colored stuff for your place. It’ll still be dark outside but at least the inside will look cheerier.
You could also try planning some beginning of the year parties with friends. That would certainly give you events to look forward to.
It’s also a great time to focus on health and well-being. I usually try to read and exercise more at the beginning of the year, sometimes long term habits form out of it, sometimes not. But it does help me feel better about the dreariness of the new year.
I look forward to this part of the year because it’s when winter sports begin. I don’t know if you’re somewhere you can take advantage of the weather and ski/curl/skate. If you are, do it. It’s a blast.
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