I’ve finally come to the conclusion I’ve got a case of the winter blues, or blahs. Whatever you call it, I’ve got it. And the strange thing is I started writing this post on Blue Monday without even realizing it was Blue Monday. In case you haven’t heard of it:

Blue Monday is a name given to a day in January (typically the third Monday of the month) reported to be the most depressing day of the year. The concept was first publicised as part of a 2005 press release from holiday company Sky Travel, which claimed to have calculated the date using an equation (Wikipedia)

**The idea is considered pseudoscience, with its formula derided by scientists as nonsensical

No matter. I feel lethargic and irritable, and I’ve totally lost my mojo (which I find extremely distressing.)

And as usual I have that guilt trip going on in my head about how could someone with my life and privileges ever be depressed, and what could I possibly have to complain about? and on and on and blah blah blah. Well, what can I say, I don’t understand it either. But there you have it.

And it won’t just go away. Nope, not over night at any rate. And so, I must take action.

So what to do about these winter blues? Well, the first thing I do is admit it.

There was a day I thought if anyone knew I was feeling (blue, anxious, sad, or depressed) it would cause the earth to come off its axis and fly off into outer space. So I suffered in silence, and let me tell you that’s the worst thing you can do.  NOTE: I’m talking about a blue funk here (if you think you’re suffering from something much more serious, please, get up off your chair, and go see your doctor.)

Tips on how to beat the winter blues

• Recognize it. Talk about it. Admit it.
• Exercise. Preferably outdoors. I was reading about SAD on WebMD, and one thing that really stuck out was how important exercise is (which I know) but also how important it is to go outside,  preferably in the morning, and for at least 15 minutes. I did not realize time of day made a difference, but apparently it helps to reset your circadian rhythm.
• Watch your nutrition. I’m still cleaning up snacks and sweets from Christmas! Time to purge the freezer and fill up the fruit bowl instead.
• Drink lots of water. I know I’m dehydrated because my skin has become so itchy, my lips are cracked and my nose is dry.
• Take care of yourself. Get a haircut, a massage, or a manicure. Or try a home Spa Day.
• Keep in touch with family and friends. Now is not the time to hibernate.

One of the things that has really thrown me this month is that I don’t feel like creating.

Some days it’s simply too much effort to set up a scene to photograph, and the thought “I’m done” keeps rolling around in my head. But I don’t want to be “done” and so I show up.

Showing Up is how the photo for this post came into being. I showed up and did the work. I was happy with the results, but please be aware that I have a hundred photos I’m not thrilled with; quite the opposite actually. But I did manage to get this one image and it will find its way into my portfolio. That alone has lifted a bit of my creative funk.

So to finish, I want to share this quote by Ann Tyler. Such simple sentences, but so so powerful!

Please help yourself … just click on the image to download :)