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 stopped raining!!! I'm going outside, see you all later!

Enjoy! 🌞 It's glorious here, too.

Can you look at internal secondary glazing instead?

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/eehb-secondary-glazing-windows/heag085-secondary-glazing/

Or at the very least, draught proofing which requires minimal intrusive work but will take some effort to get it done (ugh). At least you could probably do that very cheaply!

I go to cinema frequently and also have lots of lunches out. I also spend a lot of time at my heath club. I like to visit my DM in her nursing home as it’s nice and cosy there.
Basically I carry on as usual and as soon as it’s dry try to get outside for a long walk.

@TwattingDog thank you for the link, that's a really thorough guide. I've heard of this but was always a bit confused and never properly looked into it...

I often think how lovely it would be to live somewhere hot - getting my washing dried, not worried about snow of having outdoor plans ruined because of rain.

It is nice to have seasons though I think.

Just a reminder that we should all be taking vitamin D throughout the winter.

To add to my list of things that make it doable, a big DrySoon airer and cover, a good tumble dryer, and a drying rack on an overhead pulley to air things out after a blast in the dryer and a good dehumidifier. And the thought of the first pegging out day to come!

Yes, I like the seasons. I used to live in a very hot country that was the same temperature all year. I do prefer the rhythm of the seasons, and I love spring and autumn.

I'd very much like 'seasons' too, but they seem to be so less defined than they were in my youth!
Now we have months of grey, murky, drizzly, lukewarm shittiness instead of proper seasons (in Cornwall anyway...)

Still quite defined in Yorkshire! We seem to have really good weather.

I've always enjoyed the change of seasons, they just require different outdoor wear!

Having to be up and out for work that's meant the weather doesn't make any difference apart from the coat I put on, leaving earlier in icy conditions, winter coats on DC and dog.

Yes it can be miserable but we go into buildings which are warm and dry so it's only a fraction of the day outside. When DC were younger we still went out in the rain, they loved splashing about in wellies, so did the dogs. Also soft play, clubs, so plenty of places to go.

I've been brought up with the value of fresh air, being a bit more hardy but also knowing in extreme weather conditions better to just stay in.

Guess I'm just an outdoors person so I don't feel the need to hide away, though spells outside are shorter and it's nice to come back and get comfortable. The times I've camped and hiked in rain and wind then snuggling down and listening to to the sounds outside have been wonderful 😊

Just a different perspective on how to view it, which isn't for everyone 😉

Now I'm older I don't do this as much but do still love getting fresh air no matter the weather.

I do understand if you look at the dark clouds you don't feel like leaving the house and simply don't need to, so stay inside, this is when it can become bleak. Not talking about those who can't due to disabilities, rather than being able to and choosing to be confined.

There is a whole world out there beyond the raindrops, no need to be cooped up. Xxx

I live in Scotland, so used to the shite weather. I love doing a jigsaw.

Exactly, when you have to go out to work every day no matter the weather you just don't think about it.

I know exactly how you feel - this weather is relentlessly horrible. I am trying to cheer myself up by having arranged to have my patio jet washed at the end of February, looking at summer flowers online and noticing that the daffodils are starting to come up where I live and the birds have started to sing again. It WILL get better but it is a slog until March.

Sorry you feel overwhelmed by this weather, OP.
I love it (and also lockdowns). Yes, I know.
Everyone's different. I struggle massively when March comes in and it takes me ages to get used to the lighter, warm summery situation. Most favourite month is November, since childhood.
It will change.

I'm in Scotland too and have read loads of books during this shitey January.

It used to be the case that you could rely on shops etc for a bit of warmth but last week I had a freezing bus journey in and out of the city and the shopping centre was freezing too.
Never been so miserable.

I live somewhere hot but we do get seasons and when they happen, we're not prepared for it! Since Christmas we've had torrential rain and horrendous floods, sleet and snow, hailstorms and gale force winds that have damaged buildings and destroyed farmers' crops.

Ironically, we're in the throes of the worst drought for years and have been praying for rain 😕

There's so much extreme weather now with climate change. Wetter and less predictable.

It’s the mud.

I have to go out in it; I have four dogs and a horse and foal in a livery yard. I’m permanently clarted.

Roll on spring.

I agree on mud.

My zone of the country has not been the worst, but the ground is now brown slithery slop, and there's been a lot of grey, dank mizzle which saps the soul, and helps the cold sneak into the bones.

My workplace veers to cold so I've treated myself to nice new knitwear (but it doesn't solve my cold dribbly nose)

Most days I'll walk/ cycle to work and fortunately my hours have aligned with twighlight so I've felt attuned to the daylight changing and eeking out a couple of minutes per day. I'm now on bulb-watch.

Bad weather definitely exists, but good clothing eases 90% of it. I agree about looking for the better windows to venture out; again 90% of the time there'll be a better moment at some point in the day when it's less shit than the rest.

I've put my favourite fairly lights intona flowery garland and put it on my mantlepiece to fill that void when the Christmas decorations go down. They're on a timer for sunset time. It's satisfying when I can set the timer later.

This is by far my least favourite season, but I try and find mini-milestones and the subtletites in nature which helps with breaking it down into more managable stages.

@Chinsupmeloves lol at your comment about “being brought up with the value of fresh air” - do you think the rest of us were brought up to value stale indoor air instead? 😂 the whole point is that said fresh air feels inaccessible right now!

I’m not ever cooped up, I’m out every single day with my dogs and own really decent waterproof gear thankfully.
Usually in winter though we have crisp, dry days, with bright low sunshine. This year we’ve had none. I live in a seaside resort so I take the dogs on the beach most days and the bright winter days can be as good as a boiling hot summer day, very pleasant to be outside and without hoards of tourists.
It’s the relentless rain and dull greyness that seems never ending at the moment.

Sunny here today, and yesterday. 🙂

But during the recent seemingly relentless heavy rain, I tried to think of the massive snowfalls and extreme cold in the US, millions of people without power - and someone I know who’s in Australia for the winter, saying it’s over 40 degrees!

And the daffodils are coming out, spring is on the way…