Is it just winter, or am I truly listless?

[Anonymous]

Is this just winter, or am I actually unhappy?
I work, and while I enjoy my job, it’s still work — it doesn’t define me or “fill my cup,” so to speak.

I go to the gym 4–5 days a week. Weightlifting is genuinely a hobby for me.

I love reading and spend a lot of time doing that as well.

I’ve even tried to implement “Hygge” into my life, buying comfy sweatpants, slippers, new tea each week, cozy blankets, fun candles.

But since around November, it hasn’t been enough. I feel… restless.

I live for warmer months—bike rides, long walks, gardening. I feel like I come back to life in April and become a different person. I know I’m probably glum because it’s the dead of winter and everything feels gray and shut down, but it’s never felt quite this bad in past years.

Lately I feel like I’m itching to come out of my skin, like a volcano ready to erupt. I feel purposeless even though my days are full and include things I genuinely enjoy.

Is this just winter doing its thing? Or is this a sign I need to do some deeper soul-searching? And how do you tell the difference?

[Anonymous]

It’s winter. This one in particular has been really rough.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you would feel better if you planned a vacation to somewhere warm. Can you take one in a couple weeks? Or a long weekend to Mexico?

[Anonymous]

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

+1000

I could have written a lot of this post.

[Anonymous]

It's been a tough winter; I feel like I've gained 80 lbs, am unemployed, and the snow has permanently replaced grass. We'll get out of this together!

[Anonymous]

Yes and I’m usually a very positive person. This winter has been more depressing than most.

[Anonymous]

i got one of those lights: https://www.amazon.com/Verilux-HappyLight-Adjustable-Brightness-Countdown/dp/B07TBCFL6B

and my psych upped my prozac

[Anonymous]

February. It's the worst. Valentines is a desperate attempt to make it better.

[Anonymous]

Winters got really bad for me when my thyroid konked out (late 40s coinciding with Perimenopause). It’s pretty common for women and really affected me until I started meds. I’m fine with Winter now—the cold, the darkness, etc. May be worth checking out…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

+2

[Anonymous]

This winter has been hard. Brutal cold that wasn’t possible to get out in, snowcrete lasting for weeks. It’s just February. Once DST ends in March and the snow melts and we get more sun you’ll feel more like you again.

[Anonymous]

Can you do a quick trip to the beach? We flew with my husband to Puerto Rico, direct quick flight and a few days on the beach and sun and salt water was a miracle.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:February. It's the worst. Valentines is a desperate attempt to make it better.

The good news is that March is next and although March is not warm yet, it does mean that the end of winter is coming!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This winter has been hard. Brutal cold that wasn’t possible to get out in, snowcrete lasting for weeks. It’s just February. Once DST ends in March and the snow melts and we get more sun you’ll feel more like you again.

DST STARTS in March, standard time ends.