Not So Seasonal Depression Is Kicking My Ass

Happy November everybody! The mid-semester slump is REAL and burnout is REAL and why is the SUN SETTING AT 4 PM??? I’ve been experiencing the urge to crawl into my bed and hibernate for the past couple of weeks, so I wanted to share some of the activities that I’ve been doing to try and make getting up every day a little more BEAR-able. (Get it? Cause bears hibernate?)

Leaning into nostalgia

A few weeks ago when my friend did my nails for Halloween, we watched the original Mulan and that movie is goooood. It has revived my love for classic Disney, and I’ve been trying to watch a lot of old favorites. Tangled (ALWAYS a favorite), The Princess and The Frog, The Muppets. It also doesn’t just have to be Disney. I’m also trying to rewatch my favorite sit-coms like Friends, New Girl, or Brooklyn 99, childhood tv shows like Girl Meets World, and old Youtube channels. Comedy and comfort are my two go-to’s right now when deciding what to watch.

Leaning into the cozy

I am hashtag bundling up this month!! Sweaters!! Comfy, seasonal socks!! Cute throw blankets!! Using my fairy lights and sunset lamp!!  If I wasn’t living in a dorm, candles!! I know the “romanticize my life” trend has been going around for a while, and there are some debate about it, but it’s genuinely so important! So much of that for me in the fall/winter is warm lighting! If you’re able, getting some seasonal decorations for your dorm can also be something small that makes you smile– and if you can’t afford it, like me, you can craft! Paper chains or cut out snowflakes for your walls, crocheting or knitting seasonal items, or drawing a seasonal picture for your wall :) No act is too small.

Honoring My needs

There can be a lot of pressure to put! yourself! out! there!, especially during times where self isolation is more common. Obviously there is a balance, and you don’t want to isolate yourself too much. But acknowledging that I am more tired, and that I do need some more time alone to decompress and practice self care, has been really helpful. I’m not beating myself up for it, but recognizing what’s going on, where it stems from, and how I can adjust to it. Inviting friends over for study dates and movie nights instead of going out to spend time together helps me keep my relationships intact, and myself more relaxed.

finding new things to enjoy

Sometimes you do need some intense distraction and comfort, and unfortunately, the most effective ways to do that is to … engage …. in new…. things…. I know! I know! Scary! But we can be brave together. When I’m struggling, it can be really hard to get the energy to watch or try something new, and I want to turn back to something that I’ve seen a million times. Unfortunately, because my brain is so familiar with it, it’s not as effective as stimulating serotonin. Even though it’s safer, it’s worse at doing the job. Even if all you have in you is putting on a movie that you’ve been meaning to watch for ages instead of rewatching Tangled for the 45th time (guilty), please try it! You might find something that you love, and that sparks something exciting for you. If you need a suggestion, PLEASE watch Little Women (2018) and then text me about it. 

taking vitamin d supplements

This is NOT medical advice nor a recommendation. But this is the first time this year I’m trying this, after dealing with Seasonal Affective Disorder for YEARS, so I’m excited to see how it goes, and hopefully it helps. Vitamin D is an over the counter supplement that you can take, but please talk to a doctor to make sure that it doesn’t have the risk of affecting you negatively in any way. I do not know your history! Using a sunlight lamp during the day is also an option for you if the darker months also impact your mental health, though I have never personally tried it. I just think it’s important to acknowledge that you can’t just muscle through mental health issues, no matter how hard you try, and that medical intervention is totally ok and normal to need!

opening up to supports

Say it with me everybody…. I am NOT a burden! I AM allowed to tell my friends how I am doing! I AM allowed to be honest and ask for help. Utilizing community is one of the most inherent things about being human. I always feel really guilty and conflicted about opening up to my friends about hard things, especially when I’m deeply struggling. But I absolutely want them to feel like they can talk to me if they are struggling like I am, or in their own ways. And I do want their support (totally normal and valid!). The only way to actually get that, is to talk about it. Boundaries are important in relationships, so make sure to talk to your friends about what their own emotional bandwidth is at the moment, but please talk to them! That’s what they are there for. 

To close out: This time of year has been particularly hard for me, and I definitely know a few other people who feel similarly. That is super common-slash-normal, but still sucks, and I empathize with anyone whose experiencing a rough patch right now. If you try any of these, I hope that it helps. Remember that you are loved, and to breathe through your hard feelings. This too, shall pass.