As we step into the second month of the year, there's a palpable shift in the air, isn't there? February brings with it this promise of longer, brighter days. My mood is lifting already, and at the time of writing this newsletter, sunsets in Sunderland are at 4:50 pm. What a treat!
Don’t get me wrong—I love some parts of the cozy season. I love curling up with a good book and a steaming cup of tea (or glass of velvety red wine) or gathering around a crackling fireplace with the girls for a catch-up (featuring pizzas, no doubt). Christmas is nice, too.
But frankly, overall, winter drains me. My motivation is in the toilet, it’s dark too early and light too late, and who on earth wants to commute to the office with snow and ice on the ground? Not me. To be fair, I don’t really want to commute to the office anyway, but the awful conditions make it more of an ordeal.
Anyway, I’m excited about so many things. In fact, I’ll list them for you. I’m excited about:
The world waking up—flowers, trees, all that good stuff
Beer gardens and silly little drinks to go with my silly outfits
Jogging down to the beach and actually enjoying it (sort of)
The joy of sharing a cheeseboard or even a full-on meal al fresco
Going to open-air gigs without worrying about where to put my jacket, scarf, and gloves when I get too warm
Reading a book in my backyard with sunglasses on
Writing poems in my favourite café, golden sun beaming through the window
Long hikes with our dog in the Lake District, ending in a pub with memories stretching back centuries
Feeling more motivated to work on my different projects
Not having to sheepishly and speedily hop in and out of the shower/bed because it is too damn cold
So honestly, winter—in the words of self-infantilized songstress Ariana Grande—thank you, next. I’m ready to bid farewell to the short, dull days of winter, and welcome the brighter days and brighter moods ahead.
Do the colder months have an impact on your mood? Do you have ways to work around it? Share in the comments—I don’t think my Lumie alarm clock and vitamin D supplements are cutting it!