Struggling so much with the endless grey dark weather

@paddyclampster I disagree. Embracing the season as much as possible rather than fighting it can be helpful for some. If you say to yourself how miserable and grey it is day in and day out, you are eventually going to feel miserable. Replace the negative with something you find positive and it can make a massive difference (basic CBT technique). What is positive will vary from person to person. Just because something doesn’t float your boat, doesn’t mean that it’s not helpful for someone else. For some, it will take a lot more and even medication for SAD.

Get one of those sun lamps. My aunt suffered from SAD and they helped a bit.

Most of northern Europe is horrible for 6 months of the year. I went to Denmark at the beginning of September last year and it pissed it down during what was a beautiful sunny weekend in the UK. I lived in Lyon, France for 6 months over winter and have never been so cold in my life.

I know we are now past that point in the year but I am feeling the urge to shove a pumpkin up the arse of the next “cosy wanker” who comes along!

It makes me stabby. Blankets, hot chocolate, twinkly lights. Just no.

Being a “cosy wanker” doesn’t help people with SAD. Stew is minging but if people like it, there’s nothing stopping them eating it year round! Same with hot bloody chocolate.

I know we are now past that point in the year but I am feeling the urge to shove a pumpkin up the arse of the next “cosy wanker” who comes along!

You may have tried all of this but really leaning into the whole "cosy season" vibe helps me. Candles, fairy lights, blankets, hot chocolate, a bit of home baking, soup making and so on. Its also important to stay active and be healthy but winter is a season and if we go with it rather than fight it we can find a way to appreciate it. I also really recommend this book Wintering: The life-changing Sunday Times bestseller: Amazon.co.uk: May, Katherine: 9781846045998: Books

Op, do you get outside for an min of 20 minutes everyday? It’s quite important in the winter, especially if one is prone to SAD.

I think that the U.K is one of the worst countries in Europe to live in.

Horrible weather for six months of the year -is just one of the reasons.

I suffer from SAD. I’m a little better this year at the minute, probably due to the fact that on the whole, it was a very good spring and summer.

I guess I tell myself that it is just “that time of year”.

The dark is my biggest problem, I just try and get out in the daylight whenever I can and especially if it is a nice day!

Embracing all the “cosy shit” does fuck all to help me. Just tell yourself this will pass!

I also think that poster was unhelpful and I completely understand how you feel when everything is grey and dark.

However, it’s also not right to talk about ‘boomer mentality’. Just because people are of a particular age (and actually ‘boomer’ covers 20 years) does not mean they all have the same mentality, thoughts and beliefs.

Crunching through leaves makes me want to scream. They either slow down my running as I'm worried about slipping or I'm trying to make sure I don't tread in dog poop.
I just tell the council to clear the sodding footpaths all the time.

Same. SAD lamp in the morning and I open my blind and do my makeup with the fake sunlight. I get out in the sun every opportunity I have

I think it was a very balanced post and very helpful. As someone who also gets low during darker months there had to come a point where I did everything I could to improve my own situation and try to practice acceptance - I can't change the seasons.

This is my second winter since losing my mum to cancer. We lived together so I'm now living alone. Acceptance really is key.

OP, sorry if already answered this but do you do hobbies in the evening? We only live in a small town but there is so much going on. I dont know half of the activities going on (as usually im cooking dinner/sorting laundry) but friends of mine without ties are out several evenings a week.

I’d look into joining clubs or local sports centre - yoga, swimming, gym. Something to get the endorphins going. Any walking/running clubs near you?

Don’ worry op! The budget around the corner will cheer you up 😂

Seriously though, I found SAD lamps useless and no amount of ‘put your coat and wellies on and jump in puddles’ works for me.
So I book a winter holiday now, leaving January/February time and jet off for a couple of weeks somewhere warm and sunny. Somewhere I can use my paddleboard and sunbathe and relax. I find that helps beat the Winter Blues.

I'm not so keen in summer either, too hot and I wilt like the flowers 😂

In summer, I go out early morning and late evening. In winter I go out at lunchtime.

Goldilocks sun - just right 🌞

Plan a nice walk at the weekend

I’ve read a few books on wintering, hygge and sacred seasons by Kirsty Gallagher. This has transformed how I approach winter to the point I’m looking forward to it. I decorate the house from season to season and change my activities accordingly.
I plan to do lots of snuggling down, reading, journaling on what I hope to start in spring, cross stitch, fire on, twinkly lights, candles, hot food, long dog walks looking at nature wintering and spotting the first signs of spring. As humans we are meant to slow down at this time which can be uncomfortable for some but if you can, it makes it so much easier rather than wishing for sunny days. If it is uncomfortable, maybe try to work through a few things.
For the last few weeks of autumn I’m also going to sort a few bits around the house to get ready for my hibernation after Christmas.

I agree with you OP - I have found the relentless grey autumn v depressing this year. Considering a SAD lamp

We’ve barely had the heating on (only had the fire on as love Autumn and feeling cosy rather than an actual need). Half-term had one day that was mostly rain and could get out all other days (some days beautiful).

One thing we can’t complain about this year is the weather! It was solid sunshine most of Spring/Summer and seasons should be seasons. Bring on the frosty cold days - those are my favourite days.

It's grey today but I don't feel like it's been, "endless" - we have had some gorgeous Autumn weather. And the trees are still colourful in the main and those that have lost their leaves have that interesting silhouette against wintery sky vibe. It's not for everyone but I find outdoor swimming great for helping me appreciate each season, as well as morning walks wrapped up warm. Yes I love summer and the long evenings but there are things to appreciate about Autumn too.

I'm more southern, and most of the last week has been very dark in the house.

Life is too short not to embrace the seasons. I love a grey day as much as I love a sunny day - its how you spend your time that counts.

To use this weekend as an example - it was sunny one day so got washing out, big walk with our kids, soaked up sunshine, ate lunch out on our walk. The other day was grey so used the time to get housework/ironing done and caught up with some friends. Nice food, bath and fire to feel cosy in the evening.

Can’t read all the comments, but read a few above and agree that if you keep busy, active etc, you actually dont focus on the weather. I get out and about all year (will happily have a picnic in January out on a walk!) and I think everyone should. If it’s torrential rain, get the boring stuff done and get out when the weather is better.

I take Vitamin D all year round but a double dose in Autumn and Winter. I also purchased a SAD lamp earlier this year and this has just reminded me to start back on it. I hate the short days at this time of year.

I hear you @Tipsandtricks22, it's a hard time of year for a lot of people. Clocks going back to the solstice. Yuk. Just gets darker and darker. All the people wittering on about crunching through leaves and crisp autumn days clearly don't live anywhere near me, and people who wang on about snuggling under blankies with the famalam and a hot choccy just make me stabby with rage.

Changing the clocks makes not one iota of difference as it does not conjure up any more daylight. You just get that daylight at a slightly different time of the day.

Few things which I have found out help.

Vitamin D - the high dose stuff. Plus a general multivit.

SAD lamp - mine is a Beurer one, they will definitely have black Friday deals around. It's about the size of an ipad and you don't even have to look directly at it, just have it shining on you for a bit.

Getting out into the daylight when you can and when the weather allows. Even 5 minutes sitting on a bench with your face turned to the light.

Counting the days to the solstice - 41 as of today. That's not even 6 weeks. And after that it will start getting lighter every day and by mid-January you'll be noticing the difference week on week. You can do this.