Uninspired.
Posted by girlpaint | Filed under self-improvement
image courtesy stock.xchng (www.sxc.hu).
Lately I’ve been so uninspired. Can you tell? FYI: that’s NOT me in the picture; it’s actually the photographer. The expression on his face so perfectly represented how I’ve felt lately, I had to put it up.
Anyway, as you’ve probably noticed, I haven’t posted since election day. And let’s face it: that was a lazy post.
Ya know, probably like a lot of you, I’ve got a list of really great blogs to read when I’m feeling less than inspired. Except that over the past few months when I read one of my guru’s posts, I’m either less inspired than I was before I read it, or worse, I just get mad.
What is that?Where did this blah-anger (blanger?) come from?
Well, I’ve thought about it a little– ignored it mostly — but here’s what I’ve come up with. The recent election, while incredibly inspiring (sorry if you’re not an Obama supporter…I clearly am), was exhausting. Then, a close relative was all but taken down by a stroke. Next, the economy tumbled…some more, and then took a nosedive. Then the holidays hit. Then we were expected to be all happy it was 2009, and make some exciting new resolutions for ourselves. And I did. And I haven’t kept any of them. And now everything seems that much worse.
It comes down to this: mid-winter is hard for me. And it’s hard for a lot of people. Just do a google search for “mid-winter blues,” and you’ll see what I’m talking about, if you’re not already a fellow sufferer.
I suppose I’ve always been a little low-energy this time of year, but this year, it’s more magnified. With all the bad news of late (and yes, I’m a total news hound), I’ve been absorbing it all. Plus we (as in, the U.S.) have experienced a harsher-than-usual winter. And that equals less time outside in the fresh air. Guess what? Lack of sunlight is a proven depressant. Not to mention the lack of exercise that naturally accompanies lengthy indoor stays.
So, what’s the solution? One guy with the Chicago Sun-Times suggests playing hooky and going ice fishing. Some genius over at Cosmo swears flavored lip gloss is the cure. And yet another recommedation to beat the blues? Poetry.
I’m definitely on board with staying home from work, and I do love my lipgloss. Poetry? Maybe.
Honestly, the trick to pushing through the winter blues, mean reds, the blahs…also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), isn’t really a trick at all. Being patient (difficult, I know), giving yourself a break (go ahead, take a day off), recognizing it’s a stressful time and doing your best to mitigate it…these can be the best “cures” for what ails those of us who aren’t their best this time of year.
Of course avoiding known stressors helps too: lack of sleep, poor diet, worrying, too much caffeine or alcohol, and the like…you know what your s are.And taking care of yourself will help, too. Eating breakfast, getting enough sleep, drinking enough water, savoring a cup of your favorite tea or cocoa, enjoying a nice, long soak in the tub…these are all simple ways to get through the winter.
And although you might not be able to go for a jog — or you just can’t seem to drag your butt to the gym — doing a little gentle stretching before bed or incorporating a couple of minutes of squats or lunges while you brush your teeth in the morning will make you feel like less of a slug.
And guess what? Spring will be here before we know it. Spring in all its bountiful glory. Ah, just thinking about it inspires me.
Tags: inspiration, seasonal affective disorder, winter blues
February 16th, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Yeah, I have to turn off the news and go out into my greenhouse where something is in bloom every season. It helps to see and smell flowers when the promise of spring seems false or too far away!