Climbing the walls with this weather - how do people do it!?

[Raingoawayplsplspls]

We’re fortunate not to be in an area affected by overly serious flooding, but we’re now on our 9th day of non-stop torrential rain and howling winds. I actually had to put in earplugs during the day yesterday because I couldn’t stand listening to the wind anymore. There’s no point going outside apart from when we walk the dog, driving isn’t fun, and we’ve now got a leak. Doesn’t help that it’s an old house with single glazing and we’re trying not to have the heating on constantly.

SAD has always been an issue for me but this takes it to a new level. I’ve just given up and climbed back into bed - I have a headache for seemingly no reason, and no energy or motivation to do anything, even though there’s plenty of work I should be getting on with (both work work and things around the house). I was quite enjoying cooking and taking long baths for a while but now losing the will to do that too.

I should probably mention that I’m originally from a relatively warm and dry country and only recently moved out to the countryside, so maybe I’m being too sensitive. Of course there is also bad weather in cities, but I swear it wasn’t this bad, or at least there were more distractions! Even my English DH who grew up here and is usually a rain lover is struggling!

Any tips on lifting my spirits and getting back on track welcome!

It’s awful isn’t it, feels like the longest and wettest January ever!
On the positive side the nights are definitely getting lighter now and I’ve seen shoots popping up on the local grass verges so daffodils and crocus are just around the corner.

It’s hard.

It really feels like it’s been the longest January ever.

I go out running every day, weather notwithstanding. It's utterly horrible in weather like this, but it makes me feel that I've achieved something (plus it feels so nice when you get in and it's over). The dog is allowed short walks, however, because her little scrunched-up face when I try to get her out in the rain is painful to see.

Stay busy, make plans. It's grim, but tbh I don't have much time to think about it! I don't have the option of getting back in bed on a work day, and between 8 and 5 when I'm inside a building at work I don't really give the weather a thought. It wasn't rainy here yesterday, so I went for a run after work.

I think you need to get out everyday, assuming it’s safe to do so. A soggy blustery walk will make you feel better. And planning a nice summer holiday…

I’m totally out of steam too OP. I’m originally from a tropical island but have been here for 33 years and you’d think I’d be used to it by now. But this January is defeating me.

Only one thing for it. Book a hot holiday.

@FlorenceBlack true, the days at getting longer!

@Vroomfondleswaistcoat good on you! My dog is like yours, she’d rather stay inside in these conditions… I’m also a runner but had a break due to an injury - I’ve been really annoyed with myself for not getting back into it, because that’s what January is supposed to be for, so that’s been adding to my feelings of self-loathing… I just haven’t been able to face it and I also don’t have a good waterproof running jacket, is there one you’d recommend?

I've just booked to go to Feuterventura...can't stand it any longer.

@JacarandaElk ooooff!
@OttersMayHaveShifted I think this is one of those times I think wfh does more harm than good, I’d quite like an office to go into right now!

I'm afraid I have yet to find a jacket that is any use in heavy rain. I just resign myself to getting wet and just leap in a hot shower when I get in! January is nature's way of helping us look forward to June...

I loovvveee that kind of weather.

But this January is neverending...

That’s why people book foreign holidays. It’s shit. Escape.

It doesn’t bother me as tend to like the break from ‘doing all the things’ in the run up to Xmas. I think of it as a break from running everywhere, things to buy, never ending list of things to do. Do you work from home? I have to go into my workplace and do think that makes a difference as always someone to chat/joke with (when there is time). It does lift your spirits in this weather to mix with others.

I know not easy if your suffer from SAD, but are there things you need to do to the house? Decorating? Do it now and think of all the days outside in the Summer.

When there is a break in the weather, force yourself out for a long walk as no one ever feels worse after a walk in the sun. We were eating outside on the rare day it has been sunny in January (wrapped up!) and felt so nice to sit in the sun.

January can be a bleak month.

like someone else said, aim to go out for a little run, walk the dog or walk everyday, sometimes I find a cosy feel in these months being at home wrapped up in the warm. It’s harder to feel this if the house is in a state of disrepair and draughty.

things like daffodills on a window sill, bulbs peeking up through the soil and I still keep the odd battery powered fairy lights around and as they’re small in length I just leave them on - had a 25 light coloured set on all the time since mid Dec amd they’re still going!

I have SAD and Jan is always a long month. I have noticed the nights getting a bit lighter so better times are coming.

Weirdly, a wet winter doesn’t bother me cos I find things seem to happen in cycles. Hopefully a dry spring and summer will follow - last years was great!

I’m really fed up of it too now! Heating on all the time so it’s costing loads,my daughter has a Jan birthday & just had to have new glasses so I’m now praying for payday on Friday. It’s such a long month & it’s been so cold & wet. I miss the sun. 🫤

I haven’t made it out my bed / got dressed today at all it’s so shit here.

I’m aiming for a shower first thing so am up, dressed and online for work by 9…….

How do you manage not to work, do you have a very flexible job?
I think having to get up, dressed, ready and out of the house for work does make a difference, because you just have to get on with it!
Single glazing I couldn't cope with, though.
As pp have said, it's getting lighter....and it's nearly February!

Buy a decent waterproof coat and shoes/boots and get out every day apart from during the worst of the downpours/wind. If you don't want to be walking when it's dark, do this at lunchtime if you can, find walking routes where you feel safe walking in the dark or join a 'torchlight' walking/running group.

Also obsessively use multiple weather apps to see when the weather is likely to be the least worst to get out for a walk.

Also look for useful/relaxing things to do in the house - decluttering, decorating etc, and reading, painting, binge watching, board/card games etc. Or get out to places like museums/galleries where you can be entertained inside and possibly also walk around a city a bit, which will be less exposed and you can look at the architecture and walk through old arcades etc.

God, I hear you, OP. I am normally fine in winter, and in fact really struggle in hot summers. But this month is just ending me.

I think the domestic and international political backdrop is not helping!

I was thinking of making a list of things to help but so far all I’ve come up with is lighting candles! All suggestions welcome.

I did notice yesterday that it was a little bit lighter in the afternoon, and I can see the very beginnings of magnolias buds on nearby trees so this won’t go on forever!

Sounds like you need to get your windows sorted as a priority and maybe look for a job where you can attend the office, give you a reason to get up and out. Just get on with life, many people don’t have the luxury of going back to bed due to the weather!!

I'm not finding this wet spell as bad as the one we had November/December...that felt intolerably long. I am in Wales though and when I first moved here I swore it rained just about every single day for 6 months!
Seeing it starting to get light earlier and dark later, if only by mere minutes is helping. I go out in rain...but there's rain...and RAAAAIIIIINNNN. The latter is not so much fun.

I started a thread the other day as I feel the same!

The Puddlesuit Pollyannas will be out to tell you with the right waterproofs you can do anything, but they’re imagining gentle showers, not torrential horizontal rain and gail force winds.

We’re in the eye of the flooding and have been hit very badly - not our house thankfully but all lowland areas around the village are under 2/3 feet of water, roads are mostly impassable, all rivers have burst their banks and a number of people had to be rescued from their cars yesterday. It’s awful.

This has been a stressful January for me for a multitude of reasons and the weather is not helping in my general mood and resilience.

I'm in Malaysia for the same reason 😂