It’s
mid-January. The holidays are over. The relatives have gone home. You’ve
(theoretically) packed away the decorations, and you’re all set to give your
resolutions the attention they deserve.
But
after a couple of weeks your brisk, cheerful, ready-to-tackle-the-new-year
energy fizzles. If you live in northern climes, snow and cold have finally
settled in for the duration. If you live in coastal California like me, you’re
starting to grow mold and wonder if you’ll ever see the sun again, because it’s
been raining non-stop for weeks. The dreaded January doldrums have hit.
So,
what’s the answer?
I
have a short list of suggestions to lift your spirits, and I’d love to hear more.
- Go outside. Bundle up if you need to. Walk in the snow. Breathe fresh air. Take advantage of every minute of sunshine you can. This time of year we need all we can get. I think of some excuse to pop outside every time there’s a break in the clouds, even if it’s only to bring in the trash barrels or the mail.
- Search out live plants and flowers. Revel in the smells of damp earth and blossoms. This isn’t a problem for me, because flowers bloom year-round where I live, but for those in large swaths of the country, a visit to a conservatory or greenhouse in January can be a real day-brightener.
- Meet a friend for lunch (or tea, or wine). Families are wonderful, but chances are you’ve forgone friend time during the family-intense rush of the holidays. Besides, who else can you grouse to about your family?
- Visit an art gallery or museum. Seeing the fruits of others’ creativity may spark your own.
- Read something completely different. If you usually read romance, try a thriller or intriguing work of non-fiction. Now is a good time to stretch your literary muscles and get out of your rut.
What
do you do to beat the winter blahs?
Alison
