Every January we go from the most wonderful time of the year to the most depressing time of the year.
So they say.
Whoever “they” are.
The third Monday of January – which occurred earlier this week – is allegedly THE MOST DEPRESSING DAY OF THE YEAR. According to this article, though, that label wasn’t based on anything resembling solid science and has largely turned into a pop culture phenomenon providing a handy excuse for all sorts of marketing campaigns. (Think travel to warm places and, um, I don’t know, whatever one might dream of to cure a case of winter blues.) The “holiday” has been cleverly labeled Blue Monday.
Indeed, there are myriad reasons to feel depressed in the bleak midwinter. Cold, gray weather and its accompanying lack of sunlight … post-holiday letdown … post-holiday bills … New Year’s resolutions already blown …
By the way, I’m talking about mild cases of the winter blues. If your depression rises to the level of clinical, lasts longer than a couple weeks, or if you’re not sure if it does, please seek medical treatment.
Also by the way, I appropriated the term “bleak midwinter” from an old Christmas carol. Since I’m a fan of listening to Christmas music anytime except the holiday season, go ahead and enjoy this version by my friend, Andrew.
In lieu of New Year’s resolutions or goals, some people like to choose a word of the year. A friend announced their 2020 word the other day. Sometimes I choose a word, sometimes I don’t. The one-word concept is a lower pressure (and therefore more likely to succeed) way to center one’s actions and behaviors around a single theme. I look at the one word as a little mantra I can repeat to myself when I feel scattered, like things aren’t good enough, or I haven’t accomplished enough.
In the words of Lin-Manuel Miranda, I will never be satisfied. It’s how I roll. It’s part of my nature. Perhaps it’s human nature for all of us.
More on my 2020 word next week. I didn’t have one for 2019. Maybe that’s why I keep feeling like, “What on earth did I do in the last year!?!” As much as I hate year in review articles and posts, let’s go there. We’ll call it counting our blessings. Feel free to join me with your own version.
What I did on my summer vaca … I mean in 2019 …
Launched the web site on which you’re reading this post.
Got to see Hamilton twice. Including a second row center seat for $10. (I won the lottery to see the ten dollar founding father!)
Got to attend a Derek Webb house concert, where I got my hands on his soon-to-be-released new album.
Did fun day trips to Pennsylvania and southern Ohio.
Road tripped to see my young friend K in multiple children’s theater and strings performances.
Lost 59 pounds. Aiming to lose that pesky extra one pound for an even sixty, plus just a few more this year.
Completed Jenn’s Get Back in Shape Challenge.
Road tripped to see Mitch(ell) concerts a couple times.
Got to visit the West Wing of the White House. (THE West Wing of THE White House!)
Got to work on a movie in SoCal and managed to fit three trips to the beach into one week.
Got to help lead Ragamuffin Camp in Estes Park. Drank good local cold brew coffee (thank you, Shawn, for the recs). Escaped fourteen inches plus of snow unscathed.
Got presents shopped for and wrapped and people fed for multiple family occasions.
Don’t overlook the value of domestic goddess activities. They count.
Also don’t overlook the value of saying “get to” instead of “have to”.
That’s all for now, folks. Enjoy these pics of … (switch over to dramatic movie trailer guy voice) … 2019 in review …
