Nodded along to so much of this. The older I get, the more I dislike the cold and the dark. Since the worst things that have ever happened to me happened at this time of year, I now fear its coming and dread the memories it awakens. The rage I feel at people twatting on about “cosy season” and pumpkin spiced bollox, in AUGUST, is worse every year. Let us have the last remnants of summer!
Since you mentioned jigsaws, can I suggest Wentworth puzzles? Expensive but definitely a cut above the average jigsaw.
I live in York but was not born in the UK. I thought I was the only one who felt dread during this season, and have avoided discussing it with British friends although my British husband does hear a moan or two. For me it's Bonfire Night - which everyone seems to love - that heralds the start of darkness. I want to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoy reading your writing. I admire your dedication to running and it was fascinating to read about the preparation for your recent adventure. I get through winter (although I feel properly what I can only describe as hungover by March) by having a stack of books to read, making nourishing soups, baking bread, playing the piano (I'm a piano teacher) and going to the gym (which I don't really enjoy, but recognise the benefits of). I guess it's nice to know there is solidarity and we can all make attempts at making the best of it.
The dark nights made me so miserable at the start of year 2. I went to an indoor boxing class to get out of the house. Punching things and doing circuits is great for the mood in the winter. I love the crafting ideas and re-creating the house spaces. I have done this with my downstairs too x
Really interesting - thanks for sharing. I have a SAD light and a sunrise lamp which just about enable me to function for work purposes, but mood so difficult. Most of the time I try to manage anxiety/depression/PTSD etc with running, but running in the dark alone scared me (yey to being a woman, hey). I need to try and tackle that this year because without that first thing, the day is even harder and I don't have the flex to go once the sun 'rises'. It's not only the shortening days, it's the bloody grey EVERYWHERE. It's reynards, it's virus and yes, it's death. I've taken up lego this year but struggle to find time/energy even now - so maybe I will try to do more of that. Kudos for the positive planning - I will try to take a (rapidling falling) leaf from you.
Also widowed and with 2 girls in university, which limits my freedom, not least financially. Really good idea to repurpose rooms. It reenergises the house. I love my living room stove. The garden is a great healing source, even when growth is slow in winter. Plant up some pots so you’ve always got something in bloom. Greens from the garden , candles and classical music on dark evenings. Books, movies, gym classes help counter the depressing side of winter. I have also needed St John’s wort in December and January. Midwinter coincides with painful anniversaries. Best wishes.
I don't have a SAD lamp but i do use a sunrise alarm clock which kids me into thinking the sun has come up. As I usually wake with the sun, it's a less brutal way to wake than setting an audible alarm in winter.
I too am feeling dismayed (and resentful) at the transition to Autumn for all the reasons you mention. I do think it's worth getting out every day for a walk or run. Although the trees and other plants will be dormant or dying, I'll notice the birds and squirrels and maybe pay more attention to mosses, fungi, and insects than usual. A spider's web will fill me with admiration. Eventually I'll notice a green shoot or a slightly lighter morning and the hope returns.
Seasonal Affective Disorder hits me hard....I try to get away (like you) but finding two weeks amongst 24 weeks of winter just doesnt cut it. Massages, spas, infrared and going to spin classes and swimming help the sanity. I love watching 'Alone' a survivalist tv show to make me feel better about how at least i am surviving. X
There are some fabulous ideas in here, Rachel, but I share your feelings. I would really recommend getting a SAD light. I‘ve used one since living in Shetland some years ago - even if you don’t use it in a therapeutic way (30 mins in front of it every morning type of thing), I do think having it on on the background in the morning does help, even just making rooms a little brighter seems to give a wee lift in mood.
Your window seat looks fantastic. All the best with your various projects.
Your window seat already looks great! What an excellent way of enjoying that view. We have the same problems with heating a house that looks as though it's a similar age to yours (late Georgian/early Victorian) and I also find the cold and the cost very hard to bear. We've installed that perspex secondary glazing and it does work, but ours is quite visible, especially as flies get trapped behind it! And it's a bit ofa nisance finding a clean space for the panels in summer as they are quite big. But definitely worth doing. Good luck with all your projects.
totally sympathise about winter, so dark and such long evenings. I always INTEND to catch up on photographs. I still have a stash of unsorted pics from when the children were teenagers which I'd like to put into some kind of order, and I have pics of the house and garden we've been doing up which I want to put into a book ...
Nodded along to so much of this. The older I get, the more I dislike the cold and the dark. Since the worst things that have ever happened to me happened at this time of year, I now fear its coming and dread the memories it awakens. The rage I feel at people twatting on about “cosy season” and pumpkin spiced bollox, in AUGUST, is worse every year. Let us have the last remnants of summer!
Since you mentioned jigsaws, can I suggest Wentworth puzzles? Expensive but definitely a cut above the average jigsaw.
I live in York but was not born in the UK. I thought I was the only one who felt dread during this season, and have avoided discussing it with British friends although my British husband does hear a moan or two. For me it's Bonfire Night - which everyone seems to love - that heralds the start of darkness. I want to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoy reading your writing. I admire your dedication to running and it was fascinating to read about the preparation for your recent adventure. I get through winter (although I feel properly what I can only describe as hungover by March) by having a stack of books to read, making nourishing soups, baking bread, playing the piano (I'm a piano teacher) and going to the gym (which I don't really enjoy, but recognise the benefits of). I guess it's nice to know there is solidarity and we can all make attempts at making the best of it.
Nope, sorry, there's no good way to deal with Autumn and Winter. None. I stick my fingers in ears and sing 'lalalala' till the 21st of December
The dark nights made me so miserable at the start of year 2. I went to an indoor boxing class to get out of the house. Punching things and doing circuits is great for the mood in the winter. I love the crafting ideas and re-creating the house spaces. I have done this with my downstairs too x
Really interesting - thanks for sharing. I have a SAD light and a sunrise lamp which just about enable me to function for work purposes, but mood so difficult. Most of the time I try to manage anxiety/depression/PTSD etc with running, but running in the dark alone scared me (yey to being a woman, hey). I need to try and tackle that this year because without that first thing, the day is even harder and I don't have the flex to go once the sun 'rises'. It's not only the shortening days, it's the bloody grey EVERYWHERE. It's reynards, it's virus and yes, it's death. I've taken up lego this year but struggle to find time/energy even now - so maybe I will try to do more of that. Kudos for the positive planning - I will try to take a (rapidling falling) leaf from you.
Great post!
Also widowed and with 2 girls in university, which limits my freedom, not least financially. Really good idea to repurpose rooms. It reenergises the house. I love my living room stove. The garden is a great healing source, even when growth is slow in winter. Plant up some pots so you’ve always got something in bloom. Greens from the garden , candles and classical music on dark evenings. Books, movies, gym classes help counter the depressing side of winter. I have also needed St John’s wort in December and January. Midwinter coincides with painful anniversaries. Best wishes.
I don't have a SAD lamp but i do use a sunrise alarm clock which kids me into thinking the sun has come up. As I usually wake with the sun, it's a less brutal way to wake than setting an audible alarm in winter.
I too am feeling dismayed (and resentful) at the transition to Autumn for all the reasons you mention. I do think it's worth getting out every day for a walk or run. Although the trees and other plants will be dormant or dying, I'll notice the birds and squirrels and maybe pay more attention to mosses, fungi, and insects than usual. A spider's web will fill me with admiration. Eventually I'll notice a green shoot or a slightly lighter morning and the hope returns.
Seasonal Affective Disorder hits me hard....I try to get away (like you) but finding two weeks amongst 24 weeks of winter just doesnt cut it. Massages, spas, infrared and going to spin classes and swimming help the sanity. I love watching 'Alone' a survivalist tv show to make me feel better about how at least i am surviving. X
There are some fabulous ideas in here, Rachel, but I share your feelings. I would really recommend getting a SAD light. I‘ve used one since living in Shetland some years ago - even if you don’t use it in a therapeutic way (30 mins in front of it every morning type of thing), I do think having it on on the background in the morning does help, even just making rooms a little brighter seems to give a wee lift in mood.
Your window seat looks fantastic. All the best with your various projects.
Your window seat already looks great! What an excellent way of enjoying that view. We have the same problems with heating a house that looks as though it's a similar age to yours (late Georgian/early Victorian) and I also find the cold and the cost very hard to bear. We've installed that perspex secondary glazing and it does work, but ours is quite visible, especially as flies get trapped behind it! And it's a bit ofa nisance finding a clean space for the panels in summer as they are quite big. But definitely worth doing. Good luck with all your projects.
totally sympathise about winter, so dark and such long evenings. I always INTEND to catch up on photographs. I still have a stash of unsorted pics from when the children were teenagers which I'd like to put into some kind of order, and I have pics of the house and garden we've been doing up which I want to put into a book ...
Soooo hard to not be rhapsodic about my favourite season, autumn...! 🤐