Written by Kayla Myer
Edited and Enhanced by ChatGPT

February 25, 2025

Every year as winter approaches, I start to dread the days ahead. Even before summer or fall has ended, I find myself mourning their passing while still living in those seasons. I know the days will soon grow shorter and the nights longer, and I brace myself for the arrival of the infamous "winter blues." Whether it's the colder weather, the lack of sunlight, or the post-holiday slump, this time of year can be particularly challenging for my mental health. As a peer supporter, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside others through difficult seasons, and I know firsthand how real and heavy these feelings can be. But the good news? We don’t have to face them alone.

The "winter blues" is a common term used to describe the seasonal dip in mood that many people experience. For some, it can manifest as mild sadness, fatigue, or irritability. For others, it may develop into something more severe, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a form of depression triggered by seasonal changes. While the severity varies, the struggle is real, and acknowledging it is the first step toward finding relief (generated using ChatGPT).

For myself, once I started to understand how the “winter blues” manifested in me, I was able to implement my wellness tools into moments that felt daunting. Over the years, I’ve learned that small, intentional actions can make a big difference. Here are some approaches that have helped both myself and those I support:

1. Embrace the Light

Sunlight plays a crucial role in regulating our mood. If you can, try to get outside during daylight hours, even if it’s just for a short walk. If natural sunlight is scarce, consider using a light therapy lamp, which can help mimic the benefits of natural light and improve mood.

2. Stay Active

Exercise is a powerful mood booster. It doesn’t have to be intense, even gentle movements like yoga, stretching, or a short dance session can help release endorphins and combat sluggishness.

3. Connect with Others

Isolation often worsens the winter blues. Reaching out to my support system helps me stay grounded. Even a simple text, phone call, or video chat can lift my spirits and remind me that I’m not alone.

4. Nourish Your Body and Mind

What we eat can impact how we feel. Incorporating nutrient-rich foods into my diet, including vitamins, and whole foods that fuel my body. Equally important, nourish your mind. I practice mindfulness, gratitude, or journaling to process my emotions.

5. Create Comforting Rituals

Small moments of joy can make a huge difference. Whether it’s lighting a scented candle, wrapping up in a warm blanket with a good book or watching a show, or listening to uplifting music, I try to find little ways to bring warmth and comfort into my daily routine.

6. Seek Support When Needed

I don’t take these helpful tips lightly because I know how hard it can be to implement them when my brain feels heavy. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, the weight of the winter blues can feel overwhelming. And that’s okay. If your feelings persist or become too difficult to manage, don’t hesitate to seek support. There is strength in asking for help.

One of the most important things I’ve learned as a peer supporter is the power of shared experiences. No matter how isolating the winter blues may feel, you are not alone in this struggle. There is a community of people who understand, care, and are willing to walk this journey with you. So, as we navigate these colder, darker months together, let’s lean on one another, embrace small victories, and remember that brighter days are ahead. Spring always follows winter, and in the meantime, we can find warmth in connection, self-care, and hope. If you’re feeling down this season, reach out. To a friend, a peer supporter, a mental health professional, or whoever is your support system. You deserve support, and you are worth the effort it takes to care for yourself.

by Andi Daniel, Technology Coordinator

December 12, 2023

I am a "grinch." Originally, that was a title given to me by people around me. Specifically when I worked at an early childhood program and had small children of my own. I do not enjoy the holidays. There were many years that we didn't put up a Christmas tree and when my co-workers heard me say that, they acted as if I was severely neglecting my children. We aren't a religious family so we really only celebrated Christmas as a secular holiday. I enjoyed Christmas Day as a kid. It was predictable. Christmas Eve was different. We spent Christmas eve with my dad's family and Christmas Day with my mom's family. My grandpa on my mom's side loved decorating for the holidays and genuinely enjoyed Christmas so it was fun to be there. Celebrations with my dad's extended family were always focused around alcohol and were not enjoyable. Inevitably, some family members would have a disagreement that resulted in loud arguments which were scary as a young child but I got to spend time with my great grandma who I adored so I could sometimes block out the other stuff. When my great grandma moved into a nursing home, those larger family gatherings ended and we would visit her on holidays. It was easy to leave when more people showed up because there simply wasn't enough space in her room for several people.

My parents divorced when I was a senior in high school so my first Christmas back from college was different. My dad had moved in with a girlfriend and her family celebrated on Christmas Eve so that disrupted the predictability I had with Christmas. We no longer spent Christmas eve with my dad's family and were forced to split Christmas Day between two households. I hated it. My mom was always very accommodating since my dad worked on the railroad and his work schedule was unpredictable. My mom and grandma would work around whatever my dad's plans were but I still hated it. Part of this, I'm sure, was related to the excessive changes that had happened during the last couple years of high school and into college. My maternal grandfather died, my parents divorced, I started college out of state, my mom moved out of my childhood home, my dad moved 20 miles from my hometown and in with his girlfriend, and I had a volatile romantic relationship. So while none of that was really related to the holidays, Christmas kind of brought all that into focus at one time.

When I had children I thought maybe the holiday spirit would come back to me but it just complicated things more. Now I had another family to consider and accommodate. I did enjoy buying or making gifts for my kids and doing the secular Christmas things but when my maternal grandma moved out of her house and into an assisted living apartment, things changed again. She wasn't able to cook Christmas dinner in her apartment and my mom had moved out of town so I felt like it was my responsibility to take over those holiday tasks. But I really wasn't good at it. I could never manage to get all the food ready at the same time and couldn't figure out how my grandma always managed to do that. I found out later that she just knew how to keep things warm while the rest of the food was cooking. But to me as a child, it always looked perfect. And that was the problem. I wanted the holidays to be perfect. I felt like I was failing by not managing things the way my parents and grandparents had. I was stressed about gifts, decorations, food, etc. It only got worse when I divorced and now had to schedule events around another household and another family when my ex-husband moved in with his girlfriend.

Here is the thing about perfectionism. My rational brain knows that none of this will be perfect and that my children won't be scarred for life if the turkey is dry or dinner happens at 6pm instead of 2pm. These are small things but my emotional self still had these high expectations. If I couldn't meet them, I was a failure. The expectations of those co-workers who thought I was neglectful for not having a Christmas tree didn't help. Being forced to decorate my office or hallway for Christmas irritated me. Christmas music sets me on edge. Crowded stores stress me out. On the other hand, I love acting in the Christmas Pantos that my theatre company does every few years. I've even directed a few Christmas shows. This gives me something to focus on during the holidays and because I have given up trying to make things perfect, I don't have as much to do as some other actors and directors. The last few years have been very quiet around the holidays. My grandma passed away several years ago. My daughters live out of state and have significant others so sometimes they come home and sometimes they don't. My mom spends Christmas with my brother's family in California because he likes Christmas and has younger children. She always asks if its okay and I always tell her to go. She visits me regularly anyway so it makes sense for her to visit them when she can. I always have a standing invitation to go to California, but I really don't mind being alone on Christmas or Thanksgiving. There are no expectations, I don't have to do anything I don't want to do. I can simply enjoy a few days off from work.

I don't worry about gifts much because I buy my kids monthly subscription boxes instead of birthday or Christmas gifts. They get to pick what they like, they can change it whenever they want to, and it cuts down on me frantically trying to decide what to buy for everyone.

Just as it is okay not to be okay, it is okay not to like holidays. So, yes, I am still a "grinch" but now I embrace that side of me.

by Mandy Nunes, Assistant Director

December 5, 2023

Ah, the Holidays. A season that is meant to bring connection, gratitude, love, hope, and joy. But for many, the holiday season can be extremely painful or difficult for a variety of reasons. I am not a religious person, so the spirit of Christmas for me may be different than many people. Christmas is a celebration, a time for giving and not simply a day we exchange gifts. The spirit of Christmas is in the “togetherness”, it’s in the thought to which you put into thinking about others, it’s a selfless time, where we forgive, take stock of what’s important and become better versions of ourselves. I love the beauty of Christmas. We begin to decorate the first weekend after Halloween, so we can celebrate the season a little longer. My oldest daughter even has the middle name December, because being pregnant with her reminded me of the joy and love that I feel during that month. We love Christmas music and driving around to look at lights. And we also love being able to give the people we love thoughtful gifts.

This year the Christmas season has been more challenging for us. Due to delays with some state contracts going out, I had to be laid off from work for a little while. I was then brought back on under our family division, but the position is only 30 hours a week, not my usual 40. This created quite a financial hardship. We quickly realized that we likely wouldn’t be able to afford Christmas in the usual ways. We’ve had to humble ourselves, seeking assistance for Christmas gifts for our children, and relying on local organizations that help with food insecurity to get us through. Also, our kids are teenagers now, and this was the first year that the kids didn’t help with decorating the house and tree, preferring to spend their time doing other activities with their friends. Though we totally understand, it’s hard for parents to realize their babies are growing up!

As you can see, we’ve had a lot of additional stressors this year, stressors that can create barriers to really getting into the spirit of Christmas. But we have chosen to do things that reinforce our desire to celebrate. We’ve chosen to add some lights and additional dollar store decorations outside of our home, as well as making the inside very festive. We have been watching lots of Christmas movies, more than usual. I’ve done more holiday baking this year. I try to make it a point to listen to Christmas music for a little while every day. Even though we can’t afford our normal Christmas party with friends, we have set a time to all go out together to look at Christmas lights.

In the midst of these challenges, we’ve found that embracing the simple pleasures of the season has brought unexpected joy. There is a special warmth in the glow of extra lights, the aroma of freshly baked cookies, and the shared laughter during a Christmas movie marathon. These small moments have become our refuge, providing a sense of normalcy and connection that transcends the financial hardships we face.

It's a reminder that the true spirit of Christmas isn’t solely defined by grand gestures or elaborate celebrations. It resides in the ability to find joy in the midst of adversity, to appreciate the love and togetherness that can be found even in the simplest of traditions. While we navigate the challenges of this holiday season, we've discovered that the essence of Christmas lies not in the abundance of presents under the tree, but in the richness of the love we share with our family and friends.

As we continue to find creative ways to celebrate within our means, we're learning that the true magic of Christmas is in the resilience of the human spirit. In the face of financial uncertainty and the realization that our children are growing up, we choose to focus on the enduring values of love, generosity, and the warmth that comes from being together. This holiday season might be different from the ones we've known before, but it's teaching us that the heart of Christmas isn’t found in the material aspects but in the intangible bonds that hold us close.

Our journey through this challenging holiday season has underscored the importance of embracing the true essence of Christmas. It's not about lavish gifts or extravagant celebrations, but about the enduring spirit of love, compassion, and connection. As we navigate the complexities of life, we find solace in the simple joys that this season brings.

by Lea Wetzel, Drop-in Center Coordinator

October 18, 2022

It’s the season of changes. During this time of the year, we can have a mixture of emotions that we are feeling, dealing, and coping with. Everyone in recovery has their own story and I know for me, mine involves a lot of good times, amazing times, and a lot of traumatic times too. So, being able to be transparent within all this can be very helpful and allows us to verbalize what it is in fact we are going through and finding what it is we need during this time. Also, to be able to share with each other and our peers how we decide this looks and what helps can set the tone for this holiday season and more to come.

Allowing self-care, support groups, one on ones, planning family time, and letting others know our boundaries up front, can keep us feeling safe during this time. During the time away from our normal routines and lives, we can develop plans and back-up plans before the break we take during the holidays, which can give us the necessary resources and support we need. Taking the time to be in the moment with our loved ones, children, and within all our relationships is key for good holiday memories.

We as a Nation are coming into a time of movement of all types, and I truly believe we here within recovery are ones that can be the change, hope, difference, and be the light for others around us. While we heal, we are healing generations before and to come, so be the reason someone’s season is a memorable one and be that example of transparency no matter what part of the year, season, or age we are in.