Ah finally the light at the end of the winter tunnel. Vienna has been enjoying some nice spring-like weather the last few days and it is refreshing my soul’s batteries.
The last two, maybe three months have been pretty rough though. Not much sunshine and very cold weather. If it’s below freezing, I’m pretty cranky.
So how do I keep my chin up and beat the winter blues?
First I think about other places in the world. For example, the northeast in America right now. Yet another huge snowstorm. Those people are just half way through their winter, and we’re already making it out from ours. I just think, “Wow, I can’t complain about the winters in Vienna if this is as bad as they get. Clearly it’s a lot uglier in other places.”
Second, during the dark winter, I light candles like crazy in my apartment to add some warm light to my environment.
Third, I get the hell out of Vienna. I ignore the whole Christmas break thing because I hate to travel when everyone else is. Too hectic at the airport and too expensive. Also, my co-workers are grateful that I am not competing for the time off. I offer to hold the fort instead. But come February, a low season for travel, I take advantage of all the vacation time offered from work, and flee to someplace warm. That’s what I was doing in Puerto Rico for 10 days. I came back glowing and happy because of the sun, warmth, and water. Then two weeks later, spring-like weather in Vienna.
So how do you beat the winter blues?
I am from North Dakota. Enough said. The winter here has been a delight. In Fargo winter starts the end of November and lasts until the end of April. That is some serious winter blues! We would get feet upon feet of snow then flooding in the spring from the swollen rivers. I felt so good going for walks this weekend. Just being able to sit outside was wonderful. We even grilled! I just wish the wind could ease up a bit but I guess it can never be perfect.
I am really feeling the winter blahs. I’m not quite in the Northeast US, though I’m closer than I used to be. Here in the DC area we have had a winter for the record books. I’m cheered that spring might in fact be coming and I almost squealed with delight when I saw the first little shoots coming up from my spring bulbs. I’m sure a crocus or a hyacinth bloom will do wonders for my mood. Otherwise, I read like crazy, drink lots of herbal teas, and enjoy saunas and steam rooms at local spas.
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