Post xmas blahs (and cold winter introvert anziety)

X-mass, certainly brings joy to the early winter season. And then, bam, its gone. And then it gets colder. Very cold in some places. Its one thing to feel cold, put on more cloths ..duh!

With Extreme cold comes an increase of everyday physical and mechanical challenges, not just mental, its not all about being cozy inside watching the snow fall outside.

Being an inner thinking "hands on person" may sound good in some situations, but also brings on awareness, like a built in brain "cold temp warning" that just went off lol. And constant thinking Introverts (myself unfortunately) are prob more cursed with this than blessed with it. Its sometimes hard to shut off my over thinking brain.

I have some "simpler thinking" friends who never seem to be thinking at 100%, which is normal for them. They sometimes look to me for answers, but they seem to float though life sometimes out of pure luck, without them realizing it. I dont remind them of this observation and kind of envy them for it.

I seem to write a “winter anxiety post” every winter (you can count on it). Ive researched it, its not unusual. At least I no longer get depression with it (lyme was a big part of that). I googled winter cold anxiety....well, i'm certainly not the only one.

In addition to low natural light, the super cold temps in the inland north states light can certainly bring challenge and uncertainty to homes, vehicles, roadways and, well, even your life sometimes. One thing - people who work from home have it made in the northern winter,.... im not one of them.

I can struggle with this when the forecast shows cumulative below zero Fahrenheit even though Ive learned what to do from the past. That still doesn't make it much better though.. I always remember what "broke" from the cold in the past at the worst moment, near missed accidents, power can go out sometimes, vehicle issues ect. which means unexpected time and money to correct. Real experiences obviously accumulate as one ages.

I passed up "dibbs" (not "free") on a past family members homestead/cabin property, because although a breathtakingly beautiful semi-remote lake-shore, the remoteness during extreme winter coldness makes it to difficult there for everyday living IMO. I miss my occasional extended summer visits there but(!) the older I get, I'm grateful I didnt do it, would have made winter even more difficult.

One thing they say about anxiety/worry is to keep yourself in the present. OK, but..that sounds easier than done, like trying to fool yourself. S#/t happens (Forest Gump made that bumper sticker LOL!).

In winter I take L-theanine, 5-htp and holy basil during a stressful time. This makes reality easier, but doesnt change it.

If I won the lottery, I'd spend and save wisely to make life easier, not waste it on temporary luxuries, thats my grounded mindset.

non-lyme vent, somtimes its good just to write stuff

Notime4lyme - Thanks for sharing that you can relate.

Driving back from X-mas in the dark last night flipping on the high beams spotting for ice was no fun, but completely normal and was not super cold yet, but its in process.

March is like a hopeful turning point, its still snowy here but usually warmer and of course with much longer days. I get out into winter nature on better days so I dont go crazy.......(but crazy feels close sometimes!)

Since I have family roots to the coldest part of the lower 48, I have a love / hate relationship to that specific part of the larger local region. Choosing NOT to acquirer and live on my relatives past land was difficult. Other younger closer relatives also passed it up.. Were not as tough as the old timers lol (RIP).

I thought with my brains vs my passion for the land. Had I chose otherwise, winter would be 10-20F colder than what I already deal with. Less ticks there, but they are advancing closer every year.

"Snowbirds" - I completely see why those who can do that, do now.

Post Edited (astroman) : 12/26/2021 1:24:00 PM (GMT-7)

I definitely get the blues around Christmas but for different reasons. Nothing seems as good or happy as it did in my childhood or even young adult years. The week of Christmas I start feeling lonely and sad. Part of it is my unmet Christmas expectations. That’s always been there.

Family dynamics have changed drastically over the years. Grandparents are gone. Aunts and Uncles are almost all gone. They were the glue that held the family together. Family traditions have been lost. Cousins do their own thing with their kids and grandkids. I am the only one who has no family of my own.

Also, immediately after Christmas is the end of the year. It’s a stark reminder that another year has gone by and my circumstances haven’t changed. I am still in survival mode.

WBF- yes, I also miss the older relatives as they pass and the memories of xmas past. My sibs are much older too, we are different generations.

I have no kids, ....but have a young nephew who already has some same interests that I do/did. This could be good. Time will tell.

Post Edited (astroman) : 12/26/2021 4:57:35 PM (GMT-7)

For me the transition from summer to fall is difficult.
Going from sunny days towards fall.
Then once the short days have settled in I'm somewhat ok,
but it's the transition itself what bothers me.

RainyCloud:

While I was still active, I had that same experience, too. Once I was no longer able to get out and walk, hike, and bike, the transition became less of an issue. while unpleasant, I'm glad that you're able to get through it.

Dude

I'm glad I'm not the only one Dude, although I'm sorry to hear about you not being able to currently do all those things. I'm inside most days too and it's awful.

Hope things turn around for you soon!