Every year around this time, I start feeling it.
Not in a dramatic, "everything is terrible" kind of way.
Just... heavier.
It's harder to get out of bed. My motivation dips. I cancel plans more often. Suddenly my couch becomes the most appealing place on earth, and somehow 8pm feels like midnight.
Then I catch myself thinking:
"Why do I feel so flat?"
It turns out there's actually a reason.
Winter doesn't just change the weather, it changes your brain
As the days get shorter, we're exposed to less natural sunlight.
That matters more than most of us realize.
Sunlight helps regulate your body's internal clock (your circadian rhythm), which influences everything from your sleep to your energy levels. Less sunlight can also affect serotonin, a neurotransmitter involved in mood, and alter melatonin production, the hormone that helps control your sleep-wake cycle.
In other words...
Your body is literally receiving different signals during winter.
For some people, that can contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. Others may not meet the criteria for SAD but still notice a "winter slump", feeling less motivated, more tired, or a little lower than usual.
You're not lazy.
You're not failing.
Your body is responding to the season.
I've noticed it in myself
I've realized I become a completely different person in summer.
I'm outside more.
I want to swim in the ocean before work.
I make plans without overthinking them.
I listen to music louder.
I spend less time scrolling and more time actually living.
There's just... more life.
Winter isn't bad.
It's slower.
It's cozy.
It has its place.
But if I'm honest?
By the end of it, I'm craving warmth in every sense of the word.
My brain is already planning Summer
Lately I've caught myself daydreaming about the smallest things.
Windows down in the car.
That first warm morning where you don't need a jacket.
Saltwater in my hair after an ocean swim.
An iced matcha in hand.
Long beach walks that somehow turn into staying until sunset.
Friends saying, "Should we just go?" and everyone actually meaning it.
It's funny how happiness isn't always these huge milestones.
Sometimes it's just sunshine hitting your face after months of grey skies.
Until then...
I've stopped expecting myself to feel exactly the same in every season.
Winter asks different things of us than summer does.
Maybe right now your body needs more sleep.
More nourishing meals.
More walks at lunchtime to soak up whatever sunlight you can.
Maybe it needs you to stop feeling guilty for slowing down.
The seasons change.
And so do we.
So if you've been feeling a little "off" lately, maybe you're not broken.
Maybe you're just ready for the sun.
Because if you need me in a few months, I'll probably be driving with the windows down, an iced matcha in the cup holder, heading to the beach for an ocean swim.
And honestly?
I can't wait.
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