Fighting the February Funk

Yesterday morning I found myself not wanting to get out of bed. There was no particular reason for me to stay in bed and no particular reason to get out either. That's when my brain started flashing "Warning! Warning! Warning!"

February is not my favorite month.  It is typically the month where SAD (seasonal affective disorder) hits me the hardest.  I've already dealt with 3 months of cold and dark by February and there is still a full month plus before spring arrives with its promise of sun, warmth and blossoming green.



Over the past 5 years I've become increasingly aware of this funk that comes in February and have attempted to be proactive about prevention. And yet I was taken by surprise yesterday. When I did finally sit and think about our winter so far it is no wonder I hit a funk that morning. If it weren't for my intentional decisions I fear where I would be mentally right now.

Sometimes no matter what efforts we make on our own we need a little help from outside ourselves.  I got some of that help yesterday afternoon. After a most depressing budget meeting between Supportive Husband Guy and myself that resulted in not paying as many bills as we'd both like, healthy meal planning for a family of 5 on less than the FDA's thrifty plan for a family of 4 and not having any paying work available; I needed a gift.  I got one too.

In the middle of February I walked out our back door to finally do some experimental gardening. I was greated by forceful, beautiful and warm sunshine. The picture above does so little justice to how beautiful and sunny the sky was. After my creative gardening Supportive Husband Guy made me a huge cup of tea in my favorite comforting tea cup. It was a gift from a dear friend a few Christmases ago and I use it year round now when I need a comforting embrace, especially since she has moved half a country away this past year.

I was able to sit on the back steps, warm tea in hand, warm sun shining through the trees and feel my soul refill. I hadn't realized just how empty I was that morning until I began to fill up. Warm sun, warm tea, a kind gesture, a friendship that spans the miles and in 20 minutes I was able to shake enough funk off to find my natural optimism again. It will be a long 6 weeks until April but I know I'll make it.  With the intentional efforts and the little gifts in the midst of winter's fog I will make it.

Do you suffer from SAD or the winter blues?  How do you cope?

Keep chasing perfection, people. Eventually we are going to Catch Excellence.

Follow @CatchExcellent