2024/25 SAD thread

[Idratherbepaddleboarding]

Link to last year’s thread

Hi again, I thought I’d start a new thread for this season of SAD 😭. It’s definitely starting to feel autumnal here 🥶.

If you’re new this year, please join us for tips to get through winter, chat and general moaning!

Sounds like a relaxing evening @DropOfffArtiste

Quite tired and not great sleep but also going in today. I came on yesterday which is annoying as my energy stagnates for several days now. I become the most introverted version of me until about day 5 then I'm either fine or feel anxious. Sleep and food make a difference, will try to get enough and eat well.

Left the house during the sunrise today. That's me done for for the rest of the year because my mood just plummets

Urgh @PamperGoals2024 5 days out of a month is a lot! I’m lucky, my period only lasts for 2 days.

I’m grumpy today as I had a meeting last night so couldn’t do my pole dancing. I could have squeezed it in before but the idea of getting changed, then showering after and having to redo my hair and makeup was too much. I regret it now as it’s so calming. I have my class tonight to look forward to though after another full day on Teams.

I also didn’t get my steps in as it rained alllll day so the dog only got 2 short walks and we still got soaked 😡.

Someone has posted a FB status this morning saying, “It’s October! Time to get cosy!” Urgh! That word makes me murderous 😂🙈. Is she going to be “snuggling” for the whole month??

@Idratherbepaddleboarding it only lasts about 2 days but my energy stays low. Just remembered about vitamins so just taken ibuprofen, antihistamine, zinc, and b vitamins.

I also have some really painful inside of my mouth going on, falling apart today!

I hate skipping a class when im in the routine, good you can go to a class tonight.

Someone has posted a FB status this morning saying, “It’s October! Time to get cosy

Gross. What does it even mean anyway...this morning I got up as I do every weekday morning at 6.45am. it was still pretty dark and drizzling rain. Miserable. The traffic is terrible today so I battled my way through that in the grey and damp. What's cosy about that FFS? Where are these crisp autumn mornings they all talk about? And don't they have lives to lead? Places to go? Everything is so much more difficult when it's dark and cold and raining.

On a positive note I now have my sad lamp....will buy some vitamin d today I think.

Someone has posted a FB status this morning saying, “It’s October! Time to get cosy 😡👊✖🔫😡

"Time to get cosy"

I could scream at people like this. Got told my seasonal depression was "just an excuse to be miserable" the other day

Went for a run this morning. Didn't feel like it, but I will feel better for it

Bet you felt better @DropOfffArtiste!

@itwasnevermine that’s awful 😡.

@PamperGoals2024 last night wasn’t a class, I have my own pole at home so I really could have done it, it was just the thought of getting changed and then having to shower and get redressed after! I’d have thought nothing of it in summer 🙁. Looking forward to tonight’s class though, just can’t believe it’s dark already!

The same "friend" is texting me about booking Christmas markets but I just hate them

I don't really like the materialistic side of Christmas.

I really need to double down on my exercise routine. I'm actually not feeling too bad - combination of the SAD lamp plus low dose antidepressant - but I don't want to be complacent as I know I can feel better.

SAD is real, no judgement here, feel free to be as positive or negative as you like.

Such a hectic day, but better for me than being bored and moping I guess. Glad I went for my run before all the rain and I did a lovely online restorative yoga class which really helped.

Grey and rainy here today. My spirits have crashed - it is tangible. I am WFH so the SAD lamp is on and all the vitamins have been knocked back with a strong coffee.

The forecast is for a bit of sun for the next couple of days so I'm holding on to that thought 🙏. And next week I have to be in the office so banter and a laugh with colleagues will make up for getting up and driving in the dark - well, a bit!

Chilly and grey here. Started using my portable infrared lamp to take the chill off the hour. Pleasantly pleased with it! Just adds a little comfort without having to put the heating on.

Tea, vits, lamp, check.

I think we get the opposite weather to everyone else! It’s lovely and sunny here with even a bit of warmth in the air 🥰.

Even so, I’m feeling a bit fed up and restless today. It’s probably 2 full days of sitting in front of Teams and I have another one at 2pm for 2 hours 😭.

One thing that I really need to do is sort my eating out, but after a lifetime of disordered eating/ sometimes full blown anorexia, I have no idea what normal eating looks like! That’s for another thread though I guess. I really am messed up 🙈.

I went to the gym this morning and then worked from the cafe for an hour for a change of scene. I find exercise really helps me, despite it feeling like a drag at the time.

I've come over from AIBu where I was moaning about the weather well more than moaning this year I feel very low the last few weeks am actively mourning summer. For the first time in many years maybe about 24 now that I work it out 😱I went to France during the summer. It wasn't too hot it was just gorgeous. The sky was so blue the light was beautiful

Where do I get a sad box and are they expensive. Going off to google them now

Think I've found my tribe here

Last 2 days I've gotten into bed at 5 after work. Pretended to my teen that I'm sick so I don't have to make dinner. It's blissful but I feel so guilty esp the next morning when I realize I've done nothing and another rainy day is upon me

Just going to tag along with this thread and say hi.
September, usually a fine, sunny month, has been awful, grey, wet and windy, more like October. And that's after one of the greyest, wettest springs and summers in years. Now I'm struggling to realise we're facing winter yet again.
My SAD is actually better than it was in the past, but this year (and last year) have been quite challenging.
I don't have any answers really, just commiserations!

Welcome @spanieleyes22 and @Tomatina! This is a safe space from the cosy brigade 😂.

I just got my SAD lamp from Amazon but it was about 3 years ago now. It was only a cheap one but it’s lasted me well and it really helps 😊.

PS I just had a look on Amazon and all the new ones are well fancy compared to mine and now I want a new one 😂.

Thank you!
I've never got around to buying a lamp - is there any consensus on which ones are better? Any features I should be looking for?

https://www.usa.philips.com/c-p/HF3331_60/golite-blu-energy-light

I have an older version of this one which has lasted me for years. I've tried several other types but this one is my favourite and is very portable. There are much cheaper versions available about £50 and much larger/desklamp types so depends how you will use it. I also have a sunrise alarm clock which helps but doesn't replace a SAD lamp by itself.

My second one was £30 on Amazon. Only had it a day so can't comment on longevity. I also the Beurer SAD lamp on Amazon which was under £50, had that over a year now.

There'd also Ebay.

10000 Lux. Features wise, do you want a timer? Can be handy. Dimmable if you want to use it in the evening. Slimness if you want it to be portable to take to work, travel etc.

Welcome @Tomatina @spanieleyes22