What happened? After waiting 9+ months, summer finally arrived. I couldn’t wait to get my jogging shoes back on and enjoy the more laid back days, many spent at our little cottage in Canada.
As I write this, I’m lying on a futon with the windows wide open, listening to birds, crickets and Lake Huron waves hitting the beach. My ADHHHD kiddo is fast asleep (I’d better hurry, because that will end way too soon) and hubby will also rise soon, looking for another Mr. fix-it job to take on at Chez Matlen.
It’s late August now and…what is that I feel in my throat? It’s a lump. A lump of sadness that our brief Michigan summer is about to end. The days are already getting shorter and my carefree days have already morphed into deadlines for fall projects.
As a woman with ADHD, there’s a very good chance that you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or some other lovely “add-on” that creates more baggage for you. For me, thinking about winter has always been difficult- and I have SAD to boot (Seasonal Affective Disorder). I hate, I mean I really HATE winter.
And I’m guessing many of you do, as well.
I’ve found some solutions that have been extremely helpful to me. And I’d like to share them with you right now.
How to Ease the Transition from Summer to Winter and Kill Those Winter Blues
- Think of indoor activities you enjoy and start preparing for them. For me, it’s making art in my studio. Since my studio is in my basement, I can’t get myself down there in the summer, because I crave sunshine and the outdoors. Now, instead of ruminating over the upcoming change in season, I put a positive spin to it and remind myself that my “creative” months are coming up soon. It’s a total re-frame that helps me a lot.
- Vitamin D3. My doctor recommended this for bone health, but I discovered that my SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) improved greatly. Who knew? Give it a try.
- Get out of town! To help survive winter, we head to Florida every winter for vacation. Start saving and planning now.
- Get the cozy going. Think about hot chocolate, holidays (if that doesn’t stress you out, that is), cozy PJs and hearty meals.
- Remember that we still have fall. Personally, I hate fall because it means winter is right behind. But many love the fall colors and crispness in the air. Plan your pumpkin patch or apple cider excursions.
- Force yourself to learn a winter sport. Honestly? It didn’t work for me because I dread the cold, but maybe you’d like to try ice-skating or cross country skiing.
- Hey now! Summer isn’t over yet, so…drink up each delicious day and make the best of what we have left. Then again, many of you may HATE summer (it does wonders for hot flashes, doesn’t it?) but if you’re like me, treasure each day that is over 60 degrees.
How about you? Do you detest winter like I do? If so, how do you manage? What can you think or do differently to make the transition easier for you?
Post your thoughts in the Comment section below.
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I enjoyed your article, and I think you are in the majority. I, on the other hand, am in the minority. I’m really not sure why, but fall, and the start of winter always gives me a warm happy feeling. It’s not that I like cold weather, or do any winter sports. I feel like, especially that first snow makes me feel cozy and safe. I think I kind of feel like now I have a plausible excuse not to leave the house. As far as sad goes, I use a therapy light, and it really helps.
Hi Lorilynn,
I’m envious that you find comfort in the fall/winter months! I can understand feeling cozy and safe, shut in during the snow. I wonder if some of this has to do with one’s childhood experiences and memories. I don’t recall hating winter as a child, though. Did you always like it?
Even though you haven’t had many comments on this blog, I want you to know how encouraging it was for me to find it and read it and know that you have Both ADD and SAD!! I am currently reading your new book and was initially so overwhelmed by my own reality that you have so perfectly explained and written about – – then SAD began to show up early this year and I was very discouraged. Imagine my shock and surprise when I searched both ADD and SAD and found this article. . . thank you so much for leaving it up. I kind of hope there are more of us out “there” than this, and I kind of don’t. Reading the rest of your book will be more encouraging now that I know that you have similar struggles with SAD as well.