Winter Blahs…or Something more? 5 Ways to Get through it

Casual Winter outfit ideas

Burgundy moto jacket

Sweater c/o || Moto Jacket || Similar scarf || Denim || Sneakers || Similar backpack

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ways to style a moto jacket

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So after first posting about my journey with anxiety and depression some time early last year, I felt like it might be a good time to do a little check-in of sorts with you guys. I’ve started trying to study my ups and downs patterns over the past year to have a better understanding of (1) why it might be happening (is it stress, not enough sleep or is it hormones, maybe?) and (2) to anticipate when it might pop up and more importantly (3) to KNOW and remind myself that it WILL eventually pass….the clouds will lift and I’ll feel back to normal once again. Sometimes I find when I’m in the middle of something, it can be difficult to see further down the road. I remember doing this when our babies were tiny. I swore I was never going to be able to get out of the house by myself and feel like an independent person again. Drama, much? Ha!

But, that stage with our boys did pass and I did eventually get back into “life” once again. And the same is true of those bouts of depression…or whatever these little life waves are called.

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I’ve been thinking about the possibility that what I’ve been feeling since the holidays ended is just one big case of the winter blahs we all talk about in conversations. Or let’s be honest, it could just be a case of good ol’ fashioned PMS. (I’ve never been one to use that as a crutch, but I swear the older I get the worse it gets.)

So whether it’s the winter blahs, PMS or full-on depression happening, I do know that the feelings are very real and can affect our days in major ways. For me, that looks like a severe lack of energy, motivation a general ‘gloom and doom’ attitude about most tasks and goals.

So, what do we do about it, is the question?

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I used to go into a bit of a tailspin when these feelings would show up every few months. I felt like I just became so unproductive in my daily life. But now I stop, recognize what’s happening, and dive head first into doing the things that help get me through it. Here are a few that I either do regularly or plan to incorporate asap as I push through this little season.

1. Regular exercise

Fairly straight forward, right? Honestly, my daily workouts and walks do SO much for my mental state. The days I have to force myself to do them is far and in between now, but on occasion I need a little extra push to get to the gym. I have ALWAYS only felt better after a workout, you guys. Pretty sure it releases endorphins of some kind that help your mood.

2. Take a drive

Does anybody else do their best thinking and prayer time while driving solo in the car? This is my VERY favorite thing to do when I’m feeling down and have a reason to take a drive somewhere. I’ve drowned myself in tears on the road while praying and talking to Jesus. I just feel like I can really focus in during those moments in my car.

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Casual Winter outfit ideas

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3. Diffuse essential oils

My mom gave me some Gold Bee’s products like essential oils and a diffuser for Christmas and I have been a bit fanatical about using them every night. I’ve been using blends for better sleep and for breathing easier with allergy season, but I’m about to order some Vetiver oil or a blend of some kind with it. Clary Sage is also one I’m looking into for hormonal balance.

4. Eat right

I’m not sure if eating right causes my body to feel better or if it makes my mind feel better (less guilty), but either way, I know it’s key to me feeling more content as well.

5. Extend myself some grace

This is the biggest one, I believe. I think the very nature of people who struggle with some sort of depression or anxiety is that they are super hard on themselves about nearly everything it seems like. I know for me, I put high expectations on myself in certain areas of my life and I rarely feel like I’m meeting that standard….which is why I’ve had to learn the art of extending grace to myself. I won’t get it all right or be the best at everything…and that’s more than ok. Listen, I figure if God can lavish His endless supply of grace upon us as His children, I should certainly be able to extend just a little bit of that to myself too, right?

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His grace covers me. This is all I know. All I need.

So that’s where I am tonight, friends. If you’re dealing with some ‘down’ feelings right now, first off, I’m sorry. I know it’s no fun. But, I do think God allows us to struggle with some of these feelings to encourage us to lean on and seek Him more. At least I believe that to be true for my life.

I hope you’ll consider incorporating a couple of these tips and see if they help you any.

Have a great night and I’ll be back tomorrow with a fun mother+ sons post for you!

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(Photography by Vivid Dream Photography)

Sweater c/o || Moto Jacket || Similar scarf || Denim || Sneakers || Similar backpack

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15 Comments

  1. January 16, 2018 / 11:25 am

    I was recently told about how well essential oils and diffusers work for stress and overall anxiety and I can’t believe I haven’t gotten them yet. Exercise also always helps. I feel so much better afterwards!

  2. Leah Tyler
    January 16, 2018 / 1:58 pm

    January, Thank you for your transparency. I love your tips and you are very relatable. I can’t wait to start implementing them into my routine!

  3. Anna English
    January 16, 2018 / 2:10 pm

    I love this easy layered look! Those sneaks are so cute too!

  4. January 16, 2018 / 3:36 pm

    Great tips! Eating right and exercising helps me. It’s so much more than just improving the physical being! Here’s to the NEW year!!

  5. January 16, 2018 / 9:22 pm

    Exercising is a great outlet for me when I’m anxious or upset. Those endorphins perk me up!

  6. January 16, 2018 / 9:57 pm

    Love these helpful tips! I think exercising it a great way to get out of the house and get moving

  7. Ashley
    January 16, 2018 / 10:24 pm

    Such a cute look! These are great ways for beating the winter blah’s too! I swear by diffusing essential oils…it always brightens my mood!

  8. Stephanie
    January 17, 2018 / 7:31 am

    I honestly really needed to read this today. The beginning of this year I was feeling super inspired and motivated, and then suddenly it went from that to feeling down in the dumps in like 2 days time. I really needed to spend some time in the Word and reflect on all the things in my life that God had provided for me lately and that helped a lot. And all these other tips were part of my journey as well! Good to know I’m not alone!

  9. January 17, 2018 / 8:16 am

    I love this cozy casual look, those shoes are too cute. Also, love the color of that jacket.

  10. January 18, 2018 / 8:22 am

    I feel you so much on this. I just do not feel like myself when the weather is cold. I’m blah and cranky and being cold makes me miserable. Thanks for the reminder that there are things I can do to avoid feeling like this. I really need to get back into a workout routine 🙂

    And SO MUCH YES to showing ourselves more grace. That is a major goal of mine this year, as well. Why must we be so hard on ourselves?!

  11. January 18, 2018 / 12:36 pm

    I can so relate to this! I too am an introvert and I too suffer from the “blahs.” Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for the tips! I am going to incorporate them into my managing my blahs repertoire!

    • admin
      Author
      January 18, 2018 / 1:25 pm

      Thanks, Chaundra! It’s tough some days, right? I’m not one to ever rush the hot weather, but I’m looking forward to being able to sit outside with my face to the sun. I think a little vitamin D might help these blahs too. Hope you see some relief soon, friend! xo

  12. January 21, 2018 / 2:20 pm

    This jacket is such a pretty color on you and love your tips especially about taking a drive. I personally love to take a nice bath too

    BNBstyling.com

  13. nina
    January 21, 2018 / 8:24 pm

    A good car ride always helps! I love those sneakers!

    Xo, Nina
    Law of Fashion Blog

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