The list has grown large, and I’ve implemented some of the suggestions already. What is it? Lou’s winter-time survival plan! You may have heard of it. Starting in about August I begin to keep a list of suggestions of things which are creative, active, encouraging and proactive for me to do during the winter.
It has things on it like physical therapy, adult education classes, indoor walking, and art museum visits. It’s designed to magnify the positive in contrast to the January/ February doldrums that are settling in about now.
Through Christmas, there is plenty to do, but the next six to eight weeks begin to hang heavy. And you either give in to it or do something about it. The list is a big part of what I do to counterbalance the winter blahs.
My blahs start to recede near the end of February. On sapping day to be precise. That’s the day near the end of that idiot month that I begin to tap my maple trees for sap, boil the sap, and create the golden syrup that we enjoy the rest of the year.
You know what the great thing about that is? Years ago, it was on the list. A friend at the church we were going to suggested that I add it, and gave me some taps (spiles) and a bucket. We’ve been sapping our tiny “sugar bush” ever since, and driving off the winter blahs with the sweet scent of maple syrup.
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Boy, do I know what you are talking about here. I actually have more difficulty in the heat of the summer but when it gets gray and gorpy here, I turn on all the lights and put on a mix of rocking music on YouTube that I can hear all over the apt. Then I pick just one thing to do. Only one. For some reason, that sparks the engine that moves me. Yesterday, it led to three things done.
As for the tapping, I only wish. I will only use pure maple syrup. None of that fake garbage in my house. Not sure I’d be up to the hard work of tapping and boiling but so glad someone is doing it. Yum. I like your list for the doldrums.
I think that your plan is great. It’s important to think about this stuff before it cripples you.
I feared I was drifting into this but it appears my anxiety and depression were related to last year’s fall and injury. I still feel it, but we are lucky (in a purely personal to me sense) that — so far — winter is dry and warm. I also realize that the steps I took to improve my life mechanically have helped me emotionally. It’s still a big miracle to me that I don’t have to get out of my car to open my garage door. SO the list thing? That’s a good idea, Lou. We don’t have that much control in our lives, but a little bit really does help. Hang in there.
The lists are just an attempt to steal order back from chaos.
True but mine sure helped me do that.
Ahhh, the sweet scent of maple syrup! Obtaining it isn’t quite so earth-mother (or father)ly over here: I take my glass bottle to the bulk store and refill it. Still better than buying bottles though!