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How to get yourself out of the seasonal blues...

Does anyone else dislike January and February as much as I do?  I think I write about this every single year, because this is how I feel each time we reach these 2 dark, cold, dreary months of the year.  At the end of each calendar, I get all geeked out about a new year and new goals, and then just a few days into January, I start getting in a funk.  Daylight is scarce, it's cold and gray, my work is busy, and these months follow all my favorite holidays, giving me a case of the blues and blahs.  Can anyone else relate?  

Add in the global pandemic and all the not-so-fun stuff surrounding it, a transition of government leadership in a time like no other, as well as all the negativity, hate, and division going on in our country, and January just kind of stinks, right?  

Believe it or not, January is my birthday month, but I can't say I have ever liked it.  It follows Christmas and precedes Valentine's Day.  And did I mention it's cold and gray and gloomy?  It's just not my favorite month, but just like you, I didn't get to decide when I was born, otherwise I would have chosen a beautiful spring or fall month.  I'd spend my birthday enjoying either the Texas bluebonnets or fall leaves and pumpkin patches.  Sounds pretty awesome, right?      

Over the years, I have had to intentionally do things to get myself out of the seasonal blues I tend to experience this time of year, and if you too dislike the first 2 months of the year, then this post is for you!  

How to get yourself out of the seasonal blues...

1. Pick a word of the year to focus on, and keep reminding yourself of this word and the intention behind it every single day.  We are most certainly the words and stories we tell ourselves, so pick a word that encourages you when you need it the most.  This year I chose the word FLOURISH, and I plan to live, grow, and flourish no matter what this year throws at me.  This may or may not be the message of my new book I'm getting ready to write!  (More on that later...) 

2. Set some goals for the year so that you have something to work towards.  Normally I am training for 1/2 marathon or marathon this time of year, and ohhh how I look forward to race days.  Unfortunately, due to Covid, all the big races have been cancelled in the last year including the one I was supposed to run in just a few months.  (Such a bummer..)  I look forward to the day we get to run together again, but in the mean time, I will focus on other goals like writing my next book.  Your goals might have nothing to do with running or writing, but what's important is that you focus on something that gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment.  

3. Spend as much time outside as the day and weather allows.  If it's a pretty day and the sun is shining, take advantage of it.  Those days are rare this time of year.  It's why we get the blues and blahs.  We need sunshine and nature and exercise to feel our best, so do everything you can to enjoy the days that are nice.  

4. Make plans and get them on the calendar.  This is the perfect time of year to plan your spring break and summer trips, kids camps, and anything else that you anticipate for the year.  Just planning a trip is good for your mental and emotional health.  We are all so in need of some travel and fun and anticipation after such a tough year, and now is a great time to start brainstorming and planning for some vacation and adventures.  I am hopeful that with our vaccines, we will be traveling to all the places and eating all the delicious food very, very soon! 

5.  Focus on self-care.  This time of year, I feel drained.  I feel sluggish and depleted, disappointed and blue.  I say it all the time, but we can't pour from an empty cup.  We must fill up to spill out!  That means pouring into ourselves, taking time for self-care, investing in things that make us feel better and therefore show up better for those who need us.  This looks like long hot showers, burning a new candle, reading a good book, enjoying a delicious glass of wine, listening to music or an encouraging podcast, painting your nails, buying fresh flowers to enjoy in your home, or doing anything that brings you peace and joy.  Fill your cup, but with so much more than a latte!    

We are active participants of our own lives.  Each year, there will be a January and February, but when we choose intentional actions to cultivate peace, joy, and purpose each day, we can get ourselves out of the seasonal blues by creating our own sunshine! 

I hope this is helpful, and I pray that you are able to flourish through these tough dark winter months.  After all, spring is coming and soon all things will be new and bright and blooming again!  

Until next time ~ Allison 

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