Does anyone else feel like this winter has been really long and dark?

[Ocrata]

I don't know if it is just my mood.

It seems like we've had lots of gloomy days where the sun's barely been in sight before we sink back down into darkness for another 18 hours and I'm so over it.

Winter doesn't usually get to me but this year it has.

Is it just me? Or is anyone else feeling it?

https://brianbilston.com/tag/january/

I think Brian Bilston says it best!

I was dreading this winter (I don’t normally, I love seasons) but actually it’s not felt that long or dark so far.

Yes hemmed in and claustrophobic… even worse when public transport wasn’t running over C/NY, hate it

Yes, so much rain, north west. Also had 2 bouts of flu. It’s so dark in the morning.

I’ve felt like this too OP. Horrible. In fact I think it contributed to a breakdown I had in late September/October as well as other stuff… the darker nights just exacerbated everything. I can’t stand the darkness … hate it when the light begins to change around 2pm in those couple of hours before it goes down but today I smiled as at 4.40pm it wasn’t actually pitch black.

I dont think it's too bad and I gate those grey, wet winter days (like the crisp, dry, blue sky ones, even if very cold).

That's probably very subjective to area though!

Meanwhile candles and fairy lights and books in bed on earlier nights help me get through it.

This is completely my strategy every winter, alongside copious amounts of tea and coffee, some Christmas chocolate presents I've kept to see me through and a couple of wintry alcoholic beverages on weekend nights.

No. It’s been quite sunny here in london. We haven’t even had any snow!

No! I think it's been dry and bright mostly. Lots of sunny days, hardly any rain. Snow. Perfect!

of course, we're only halfway through it at the moment, so that could change. I hear there's a chance of another cold snap at the start of February, so that could change.

Yes, it feels like it’s been going on forever.

I am definitely not a winter person, I hate the cold, the damp and the darkness of what seems to have been every day, even though I know we have had some decent days. The snow and ice have prevented me from going out much, I’ve had a stinking cold since very early January, coupled with feeling like shit from an under active thyroid which only got diagnosed in December and it feels like I’m still waiting for the medication to start working.

I’m trying to convince DH it’s a good idea to spend at least a month in SE Asia next year, I’m not sure it’s working though 😂

No, I got a new allotment late last year and have been out in the sun on it loads.

It doesn't seem to be any darker than normal.

I'd still prefer BST all year round as lighter afternoons I think would be better and more use be made of them.

Yep! I go by astronomical winter so to me it’s only just started! Still, I’m very much looking forward to the start of spring in late March.

I would vote for GMT year round if it were up to me. I hate it when it's still light past 8.

January is always depressing for me. The lull after xmas, rubbish weather and the dark drawn out evenings. I usually get fed up. This January hasnt been as bad, but thats because we booked to go away for a week abroad for some winter sun.

No not this year. Last year I REALLY felt it, and was hugely depressed- I think as winter came off the back of a grey and bleak summer. But maybe because we had a lovely and quite long summer last year, winter has actually flown by so far.

Absolutely. I am completely sick of the icy mornings, dark, cold. It's dragging on and on this year. I can't wait for spring and summer to arrive. I know what you mean about feeling hemmed in, there's something really overwhelming and suffocating about winter and not being able to just get out and about easily.

I see January as quite liberating after a month of Christmas everything.

I don’t usually feel it but I have this year. So fed up of it.

@Ocrataim with you and the cold has been unbearable -8 here. I don’t even care how cold it is if you can see the blue sky every now and then

Nope. I was slightly worried about this being the tricky winter with my toddler, who is still napping, therefore opening hours are rubbish for him mostly.

But we've been outside for a good few hours every day, and I work compressed hours so have three day weekends, so I guess I get more daylight?

I've noticed winters seem to get longer and darker as you get older, just because we're usually home more? Xxx

I find November and December the hardest months. It’s getting continually darker, colder and wetter. I hate driving in the dark. I hate getting up in the dark and it being dark when I leave work.

I find January ok, it’s getting noticeably lighter in the evening and although it’s cold there is the promise of spring in the buds and early flowers. I hate driving in the ice though so the next couple months will be awful for that.

I was just saying this to my husband today. I usually unbothered by winter but really feeling it this year. Can wait for some spring sunshine ☀️

I've been feeling it, but I thought that it was just me.

changing my mindset mostly. Working with the seasons and not against them. Embrace it for what it is and use it as a time to recuperate and recharge. I keep saying I’m like a bulb getting ready for spring. Honestly really changed how I’ve felt this year looking at it this way. I don’t force myself to do stuff or get things done while it’s light and the cosy up when it’s dark. I’ve stopped with the ooo it will be getting light soon rhetoric and not wishing the time away.