SAD

It’s cold here.

I’m ready for the cold to be done. As are lots of people. Maybe you are, too. That’s what usually happens this time of year.

The end of February, beginning of March is when people start to really get sick of winter. I don’t blame them. It’s been cold and dreary for about five months now, it’s time for some nicer weather.

Winter brings with it other issues besides just uncomfortable cold and inconvenient snow. The constant grey seems to blanket the emotions with a sense of futility that lasts all season long. They’ve even got a name for it – SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Granted, there are some days where the sun breaks through and provides a glimpse of joy, but it only makes things worse when the grey returns.

The dreariness of the everpresent clouds creates an inescapable emotional pressure that can crush even the brightest spirit. There’s the irresistible urge to crawl under a blanket and stay there until the end of April, only popping out to grab chocolate and coffee.

But it’s not all bad, I guess. Some people actually enjoy the winter, even if it’s soul-crushingly depressing. Some people like skiing or ice skating, or any number of outdoor activities. To those, I say, more power to you. I’m almost envious of your ability to find pleasure in the bleakness of the season.

I can take comfort in the absolute fact that the planet is orbiting the sun at 67,000 mph at this very moment, and it is guaranteed that spring will one day arrive. The heat will return, the skies will clear and I’ll be able to crawl out from under this blanket and eat chocolate and drink coffee in the warmth of the sun.