Coping with the dark Winter days

Casdon I used to like taking a month off in February, which to me is the worst month. Can't afford to do that now. The only choice I have now is to be miserable for the next four months or make it as enjoyable as possible.

Like Visgirl, I retired in early spring this year, so this will be the first year I don't have to get up in the dark to get to work, or return in the dark! I do find fall and winter dreary, especially since I live in a very rainy/cloudy climate.

Even this morning I woke up thinking it was rather dark still, and it was past 7:30. Makes it hard to get up and get busy when the comforts of the bed envelope you.

Getting out in the light daily, and having some hobby for the evenings ready can help alleviate winter blues. I think it's one of the reasons our ancestors had mid winter celebrations! Something to look forward to and cheer us up.

AmberGran

Casdon I used to like taking a month off in February, which to me is the worst month. Can't afford to do that now. The only choice I have now is to be miserable for the next four months or make it as enjoyable as possible.

February is a good month to escape AmberGran. I’ve never done a long winter break myself, but I know somebody who does it every year, she goes for 8-10 weeks, self catering, and reckons it is no more expensive than being at home over the winter - whether she’s right I’m not sure but she says the food is cheaper and she doesn’t need the heating on, she goes to Spain.

I used to struggle in winter though living in the south of UK it's milder than the north. Then I realised I need colour, seeing the brown trees and the white snow depressed me. So I make sure I have colour around me and pretty lights too. Red and gold always at Christmas.

Two recently widowed friends, like myself agree we’re not looking forward to the shorter days and dark evenings by ourselves; we’ve formed a what’s app group and I’ve suggested we have a film night together at each other’s houses , there’s so much choice on streaming channels. We’re also going to a matinee theatre performance early November so that evening won’t seem so cheerless.

So I have ways that I have found over the years that help a bit. A mixture of routines and totally not routines!

I use my views that you don't let people down. So if I have committed to being in a play, and opera, a regular weekly meeting etc. I don't have to make an effort to do something, as I get up knowing that I have to be at X by 9am.
That then decrees what I need to wear or take with me and it is almost automatic. If things are bad I may leave early but at least have made an effort for the day. At the same time any lovely day meant abandoning boring jobs like ironing for a walk in countryside or a swift trip to nearby coast to watch the wild sea. I still find either of them cheer ing. Then back to saved good book, radio 3, and a coffee with curtains closed . Not always easy to do, and have days when coping with alot of pain also makes things hard . Plus of course being on your own, means there is no one to make encouraging noises and get you out. Of course J S zBach is my greatest uplifter. Be kind to yourself, and accept some days you can't do much and accept but hopefully the next day will be better

Yes, Madeleine, committing to something is good. It pushes you out the door and makes for an upward cycle.

Maybe you could complile a list of uplifting music for Gloomy Grans?

Lathyrus3 I am with you there, sadly. I am being told to “think positive thoughts” so will enjoy as much of the season as I can. Hoping to see Spring next year, thinking about the first snowdrops then daffodils breaking out. They always bring me joy. I hope you too can take some comfort in little things to look forward to.

I love it that we have four distinct seasons here in the UK. Each one brings something different. My favourite time of year though is autumn. I like the colours and smells that you sense when out walking. Even when the weather is too bad for getting outside I love the cosy feeling of being at home. Many of my friends & family (including DH) hate the dark evenings and colder weather. I just embrace it.

I'm definitely Team Summer, love the long warm days and sitting in the garden until 9pm. At this time of year, I try to ignore the changes in daylight and just get on with things, apart from a little sadness when the clocks go back. But what I really hate is the cold. I find it very demotivating and would happily hibernate until March - although with dogs to walk, that's not an option!

Endless summer would suit me. Warmth and light nights make me happy.

Late autumn and winter are the seasons to hunker down. You can reflect on the harvest of your year, do lots of indoor hobbies, and generally resort to the warmth of your cave. Once the Winter Solstice has passed, planning for the new year starts, holidays, the garden, next years projects. For me, it is that period between 1st November and 21st December that are the darkest but I try to throw myself into catching up with craft, watching films, reading books, and reflecting on the past year let alone go through my house and get rid of what no longer serves.

M0nica

Grandma70s

Strange, isn’t it - I love the dark winter days and I dislike summer! Winter is cosy and comforting to me.

Me, too

And me too.

And me . Is it because I have a winter birthday🐔?

JamesandJon33

And me . Is it because I have a winter birthday🐔?

I have an August birthday.

Actually, towards the end of August, that is just the end of summer as it tips into Autumn, yes, may be you are right.