Who gets the spring blues?!
Thanks for all your nice comments about yesterday’s 5K! Your support makes me smile!
For the past couple of years I have really struggled with a huge mood decline in the “spring” months – March, April and May. I have a few ideas what might have been causing it in the past – my love of winter, being anti-social at times, and family issues – but really, I think it’s just bizarro.
You’d think earlier sunrises and promises of longer days would make me happier… ugh, not as much as I’d hope!
This year I am DETERMINED not to get all depressed and mopey this spring!
But I am already worried. I find myself dreading March 1. I am thinking, “No!!! I want more winter!”
I’ve been searching for a few photos and find myself in the photo folders from those months last year and get this uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach. W. T. F.
I just don’t get what my problem is. When everyone else is saying they are sick of winter, the darkness, and the cold, I am thinking about how I like it and find it oddly comforting. And how the uncertainty of spring – the swinging temps, awful winds, and strange weather patterns makes me bonkers.
I don’t get me.
Do you get seasonal blues? Which season?
I am highly doubting it’s spring. I seem to be the only weirdo who gets like this.
Any ideas to help me embrace spring?
Maybe focus on the birds singing, all the mud the green grass, the fun travel I have coming up, spring races… and keeping that social calendar going?
Themocracy
I look forward to spring like nobody’s business because I thoroughly dislike winter. It also helps that it’s my birthday in April, and I can pretend that I am super awesome for a day (OK, week). Since we share a name, we can share my birthday if it helps. You can turn a year younger even. Definitely worth a good cake or bagel.
I know a ton of people with birthdays in April, so I should celebrate them all, and especially yours with LOTS OF CAKE! AND bagels!!! 😀
Yeah winter gets me down…I can’t wait to be outside when the temps get warmer and the days get longer! Can’t believe it’s already going to be March, though. I’m definitely looking forward to spring races, vacations and meeting up with new friends/bloggers! 🙂
Ahh! Good point – spring means I get to run with YOU, right? That is something to look forward to!
I am with you. I will miss the snow and the nice cold runs. There is not much good about heat above 80 degrees except for swimming outdoors. Seems like half the summer is 90+ now. Man, I’m getting the Spring blues now! 🙂
I am sorry to make you sad but HAPPY someone can relate!!! Summer running… ugh! I love love love running in the cold. Sigh.
Winter months kill me so once
We get more sunlight I’m like a little kid in a candy store! Chin up hon! Looks like we have more snow
On its way!
I’m happy we are getting snow again! 🙂
I’m so tired of winter. 🙁 Have you thought of living further up north? Like really up north where winter lasts until May and then they have 3 warm months? lol.
It is not for me. Spring is second to fall in favorite seasons. My favorite memories are those first days of warm enough temps where you can roll down the window and blast music in the car. favorite!!
Aww, your spring moments are good ones! I suppose I do really enjoy the first day sans coat!
Problem: my husband dislikes the cold. He would prefer to live somewhere warmer year round!
I knew a lady like that once but she had bipolar and for whatever reason the change of the seasons was always BAD for her and spring was the absolute worst. That being said, I’m sure you don’t have bipolar but the seasons have a strange effect on a lot of people. Good luck!!
I don’t know, me being bipolar could explain a lot. JK. That is a m ean joke. I do wonder why spring was the worst for her!
I detest January. That’s my problem month.
As far as ideas, just keep running – motion is good for the mood.
I also like to fixate a little on the holidays for a distraction — a little St. Pat’s decorating….some Easter decorating and the things that go with it. Do you garden?
Aww, yeah! Those are good ideas! Gardening is out for us (since we live in a townhome… we had a plot at the community place and I found it a pita!)… but maybe going to the botanical gardens or something would be nice!
I think March is a hard month. It isn’t really winter and it isn’t really spring. It is usually just muddy. Plus for me, this is about the time I give up for good on my failed resolutions. And there are no holidays so it tends to be just a long string of work work work.
YES! All those things. Especially the mud!
#1 reason I love spring: it includes my birthday! Obviously that’s why you (and everyone) should love it too.
#1 reason I hate spring: My allergies are AWFUL while everything is blooming. I love flowers, but OMG, it’s terrible and I’m sick all the time.
I don’t think you’re that unusual, though you might be one of the few to admit it (especially in Chicagoland, where everyone seemingly wants winter to go away). There’s something to be said for winter’s consistency because spring is, as you said, kind of all over the place. The weather is cray and impossible to dress for, which does annoy me.
I used to have serious blues in the winter (like, SAD) and I’ve found over the past couple years that having things to keep me busy and focused on really helps. Last year I was really busy with weight loss and wedding planning, this year I’m gearing up to train for the half! Didn’t you tell me that people are happier with stuff like that to look forward to? So you have your half in Utah and probably lots of other races on the horizon.
And I think the most important thing is to acknowledge how you feel, and let yourself feel that way. If you feel blah on a spring day, even if everyone around you seems thrilled that it’s here, let yourself – it’s okay.
Ha ha! Yes! I did tell you that! Which is why it is important that we keep scheduling dates. I usually do a little hiding act this time of year.
So, we are throwing you a big birthday bash, no? 🙂
I am happy that you found a way to beat your winter blues. And that you can relate to the spring annoyance despite the awesomeness that is your birthday 🙂
Maybe? Last year I celebrated by going for a run with my new Garmin, and going out to dinner with Bob and a couple friends and I think we were home by 10pm. Just wait til you hit your crazy 30’s!
Making myself plan stuff is what I do in the winter, so definitely do that as spring is approaching! It shouldn’t be hard since everyone else is coming out of hibernation. I was hoping we could figure out some spring running dates now that our usual Monday nights are out, so I’ll even help!
The spring blues is definitely a new one! I’m definitely a winter blues person. So ready for spring here.
Me! I get the spring blues! Like you, I love winter, and every spring I fall into a big funk.
ps – congrats on your incredible 5K! You’re getting super speedy!
Twinsies! Let’s keep each other in check this year!!!
Thanks 😀
I really like spring and dislike most parts of winter but I still tend to struggle with February and March because it just feels so “in between” and I’m usually anxious for warm temps but we’re stuck with more snow (boo) or cold weather. Once April hits and it starts to warm up a little bit, I feel so much better!
It looks like winter is going to carry on a bit longer for you this year though!
It must be that in-between-ness that you mentioned! Although, last year, it felt like we really made a leap to summer.
I feel bad loving winter when everyone just wants it to end! 😉
I don’t really have seasonal blues. Well, I kind of do, just with EVERY season. At the end of each one, I get cranky and READY for the next one to begin. It’s why I couldn’t ever live somewhere that didn’t have all 4 each year.
I DO get cranky when spring gets skipped the eff over right into summer heat. That makes me NUTSO.
Poohey snow! Lol I wouldn’t mind if I didn’t have such a long commute honestly.
I don’t usually get any seasonal blues. I am really glad I live in an area that has seasons though because usually by the end of each one I’m ready for the next!
Do you think it’s partially a self-fulfilling prophesy? In that, you remember getting down during this time and then every year you just fixate on how you felt at one time? So then you start to feel down about that?
Personally, I HATE February and am so happy it went by so fast this year. March is second on my list of irritating months. I think late winter/early spring is my least favorite part of the year here because I just want it to either be cold or warm, not both!
You know, the last two years I can name specific events that made me withdraw (and actions of mine leading up to those), so I don’t think it was those years. And this year though, I am so uber conscious of it that it might be partially self-fulfilling. But I am also really trying to be conscious of it so I don’t do it again.
I remember that you hate Feb! But Feb was kind of fab for you this year. I mean, we had some fun together, anyway. And I think you had some fun w/o me? Sniff sniff. LOL! Kidding!
That is just strange, I would definitely think you would be completely over the cold by now!!! No way you could live in Australia then. I am already not looking forward to winter here as have to get up in the dark to exercise and maybe wear a long sleeve top – lol – would never handle the snow!!!
Ugh, I think I have it now! My motivation is in the tank, ice under a nice warm blanket is the only place I want to be. Though this weekend was pretty awesome, love when it is crisp but warm from the sun. Anyway, planning a few summer trips to look forward to, that helps.
Winter is KILLING me. Today I saw the sun leaving work and it made me SO happy! LOL
I swear I read somewhere that there are a fair number of people who get depressed in March, and it has to do with the shifting position of the sun and body adjusting to the seasonal change.
I’m not one of those people though! I think P has had to listen to me say DAILY, “When is it ever going to get warm again?!?” Ugh, and the air has been SO dry, we’ve both been getting nosebleeds. Late Feb. is always when I am officially OVER winter!
Ooo, please let me know if you run across one of those articles again.
And you have your birthday to look forward to in April too!!! 🙂 Hee hee 🙂 (<-- that comment makes no sense out of context - quite a few of my blog readers have April bdays!)
I get bummed around the holiday season for some reasons I think I’ve identified and just because its dark all the damned time!
To help with your spring time blues, I suggest we have some more lunch dates and run together again soon! 🙂
YES!!! LUNCH DATE PLEASE!!!
I’m sorry, I don’t love winter the way you do…I can enjoy a pretty snowy day but i am always glad when the days get brighter and longer and the temperatures get warmer.
But the important thing is the self-knowledge. So hopefully you can continue to live in a place where there is a considerable winter season you can enjoy.
I really hate driving in the winter. All of my car accidents have been due to winter weather, so I have horrible anxiety..like today..not looking forward to today.
I would feel anxious about today too! I have been seeing stories since yesterday saying how “bad” it will be. Be safe! 🙁
I love spring because the mornings are not dark any more – May is one of my favorite months to run in. I don’t especially love winter, because of the dark mornings. I enjoy every season. i am glad I live in a place where each of the 4 seasons is about 3 months long so by the time I am over winter, usually spring is almost here!