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Wednesday, February 15, 2017

Winter Darkness

Winter for me isn't just dark literally, it also puts me in a dark place mentally.


The cold, the snow and ice make me feel trapped and depressed.


Fear and anxiety of traveling on the ice covered roads limits my social life and I spend my days struggling to stay positive. 

Illness and age have changed me. There was no fear or anxiety when I was young. Winter never held me back or put me in a dark place. I loved the solitude of living in the woods, but since I no longer work I feel like the solitude is closing in on me. 


Creating these journal pages helps me to keep things in perspective. I paste my feelings onto paper, place them in my journal and try to leave them there. On days when the weather allows, I go out and then there is this blog and your blog and thank goodness for the internet…I so appreciate all of your visits and comments. 
Hope your day is filled with happiness!
Karen

11 comments:

  1. Feeling for you. I very much enjoy small bits of time on my own, but not stretches of time. While I am not stuck at home (our weather has been very nice lately), my daughter started driving herself to all her daily activities leaving me no real reason to leave the house on most days. I also am very thankful for the blessings of internet friends and keeping my hands busy with crafting, it makes all the difference:)

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    1. Hi Shannon. Thank you for visiting! I'm looking forward to the weekend when the temps will be above freezing and I will be able to get out and about.

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  2. Journaling is a wonderful release. I find blogging to be quite therapeutic also. Do you think you get SAD in the winter months? I used to and then I started taking Vitamin D3. I'm not saying it cured me 100% but I don't feel as low in the winter months now. I do agree that age changes you and you view things differently. I used to like winter (never loved) and now I downright dislike it. Oh well. Stay strong.
    diane @ thoughts&shots

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    1. Hi Diane. I do think I get SAD. Use to take an antidepressant, but it caused some awful health issues from taking it for so long. Need to try the D3 again. Thanks!

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  3. I used to be more affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD), but now that we've retired to the country, I'm no longer bothered as much. Every remodel or update we've made to this house was done with a plan to bring in more outside light. Even on gray days with no sun, we have more light than in the old city house. I also make sure to step outside on the deck first thing every morning, face the east where the sun is rising (whether I can see it that day or not) and say a little prayer of gratitude for the open spaces in front of me. That, and extra doses of Vitamins K and D-3 prescribed by my doctor seem to have helped. I hope for you that spring comes early this year! Anyone who creates as beautifully as you deserves to be happy!

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    1. Sometimes I just forget how lucky I am and complain too much. We've got lots of windows and I am grateful for all the open space here, it's just people that I miss. Sounds like your house in the country is your happy place. That's so wonderful! Thanks for visiting.

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  4. So many people have a hard time in the winter. Staying creative helps, I think. Hopefully winter will be ending for you soon!

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    1. I actually like the beginning of winter. I'm just over it by mid Feb. You're right about staying creative and busy. Looking forward to March!!!

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  5. Dear Karen, I`m sorry for you, you are feeling so dark and depressed , in winter, and sorry for you being sick. Do you live with wood around you ? I have always lived in open spaces , apart from when living inside a town. I love your collage in blue, with trees, showing your moood,so much ,the cold winter, and you in a dark spot. But feel sorry you are in a dark mood , dear friend. xo

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    1. Thank you dear Dorthe. It's okay. It comes and goes. I took medication for it for years until the medication itself made me sick. Making the journal pages really helps me deal with all of it and thank goodness we have had a pretty mild winter for the most part. I do live in a valley surrounded by woods and no neighbors. Mostly I love it here, but sometimes I just miss people. My husband still works and he travels a lot, but because of my health I can't go any more. I feel bad for bitching and complaining. I know my life is far better than most and I am grateful, just get a little gloomy now and then. Thank you so much for your kindness!!!

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  6. Dear Karen, we are allowed ,now and then, to be gloomy- I know the feeling very well, but am still medicated !! It sounds as a beautiful place you are living, but maybe a little lonely, when not being able to leave now and then. I must say I`m happy to now live closer to others, being on the other side of 65 years !!!
    Hope your Sunday is lovely.

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