I struggle with Winter. For those who know me, I appreciate that this is not a revelation. My ex-husband used to say that I was solar powered (among other things); of cheerful disposition when the weather is warm and the sun is shining and quite the contrast when the cooler, wetter, darker months come around. I have learnt in more recent years, that I am by no means alone with my ‘Winter Blues’ and that these traits are commonly recognised as a mood disorder with a seasonal pattern: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 

This Winter is no different to the last 15 in Australia and the many year-long British Winters before that. I find myself in a bit of a hole. It doesn’t help that my place of work is 5 degrees colder inside the building than outside and that I live in a 1950’s Australian weatherboard miners cottage with only a gas heater for warmth. I have learnt however to combat the cold a little at least, by wearing many, many layers and jumping straight in the shower before I do anything else after I get home from work to help thaw out. I have also learnt that physical activity is absolutely the best thing to help lift my mood at any time. 

I think that those close to me give me a bit of a wide berth at this time of year, fearful to further ruffle the feathers or attract a snappy response from an otherwise reasonable request or conversation topic. Having recognised the early onset on the symptoms this year, and following a short period of self awareness around my wallowing in the SAD’s, I concluded last night that I need a focus; something to channel my thoughts, time and energy into over the next 3-4 months to help me get through my Winter Blues. 

So last night, over home made broccoli and pine nut fettuccine and a game of Dancing Eggs (where apparently the Flemish for cock-a-doodle doo is ‘googlie-goo’ – best not to ask!) Goele and I brainstormed business/project ideas to keep my crazy brain busy and not bogged down in grey skies and drizzle. The creative juices were flowing; various website options were discussed, as too were retail projects and fitness endeavours. Non of which truly resonated with me. It was actually Goele’s suggestion that I try my hand at writing a book, given my more recently found love for writing stuff. I did admit that I had started writing a book about 10 years ago but didn’t get much further then a title and the first couple of pages, and the topic was questionable. 

So here I find myself; I have a title, a purpose, a passion for the content and a SMART goal to complete my very first book (I do have the title for a second too, should I enjoy the process). Whether or not my book gets published is a bridge to cross at a later date (maybe next Winter) but for now, I’m excited. So much so that I have already planned the chapters, the introduction and documented my key messages. 

I don’t doubt that there will be the odd wet weather affected day between now and Spring but I feel content knowing that on any one of those days I can choose to snuggle down on my sofa with a warm blanket and my little gas fire going and with pen (or IPad) in hand, I can distract myself from the grey skies and write the next chapter.