I'm in Hamburg, Germany so suffering through a similar fate. Yesterday I finally left the house after 2.5 days in pyjamas and i thought.. woooh! Its nice out here! I had a nice walk and then got home, put my pyjamas back on and haven't left again since then. its hard. I get through it with lots of candles, cooking sessions, books and more candles. Sometimes I get SO into it i get a bit annoyed when Spring comes around and then I really need to leave the house and start brushing my hair and shaving my legs and all that stuff. i like the sad songs things and someone else in the comments mentioned Lana Del Rey. I've listened to Video Games on repeat quite a few times but then feel guilty for doing that but now I think i'm going to embrace it, and just listen on repeat. My other go-to is an audiobook that i know will make me bawl my eyes out. Satisfying.
I listened to a sad song on repeat by Lana Del Rey while driving yesterday in the desert with the top down. That’s what makes life worth living sometimes. Sad songs on repeat.
Whatever works best for you at that moment. Get the “happy light” which helps with seasonal affective disorder.
Music is a great coping mechanism and I’ve been listening to a lot of Chicago lately, myself! Someday, I hope to get to the Rijks Museum…. I’m doing an experiment where I have to actively search for at least one beautiful thing each day. I think it’s helping. And when I moved to New England, I vowed to embrace the darkness (I love the Autumn and Winter here, it’s the shorter days that get to me). Take care of yourself!
I loved Amsterdam. Did you say cobblestone streets? Did you say canals? The trees overhanging the canals come to mind. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my goodness, People living on the work boats. It has a beauty very rare in this world.
It is, without question, the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I am gobsmacked every time I walk out the door. The canals, the trees, the birds, the architecture. It's absolutely gorgeous here and I love it.
I relate to so much of this. I spent the first part of my life actively not feeling my feelings. That led to migraines and depression and anxiety and all kinds of fun. After I had my kids I became that horrifying person who cries easily at pretty much anything that would pull at your heartstrings. So much so that my kids laugh at me for it, but also think it’s cute, thankfully. I’ve lost both parents in the last few years, my firstborn went to college in September, my “baby” just had homecoming weekend and will be out the door before I know it, my dog is sick, and this country is on fire. So, yeah. Hopefully this election will go well, but in the meantime I may put on some Chicago and weep. I loved this, seriously. Thank you 🤍
We’re on the central coast of Portugal, where the weather is mild year-round and we have decent sunshine in the winter. But it’s like we’re programmed to descend into an emotionally grey winter regardless. It’s ridiculous.
I'm in mostly sunny November Madrid and still have a motivation problem. I'm blaming my new friend, Perimenopause along with Winter. Regardless, your writing and perspectives have given me enough motivation to make it to the Prado. Thank you.
All of this. As a Canadian living in the Netherlands (just passed our 5 year anniversary) I loathe November especially. And March feels like light years away.
I could have written this, I swear. This is my 8th winter in the Netherlands and the depression is already hitting. I'm in Amsterdam as well, but not in the centre. So in order to go to the Rijks or to see a movie, I've got to motivate myself to get on a tram (I don't bike here...I know, I know). The past few months I was working like a dog for Democrats Abroad, but obviously that's slowed down. Staring down the barrel of another shitty Amsterdam winter (and let's face it, Spring) makes me wonder why I'm not spending it in Portugal.
Last winter, it got so bad that we booked four days in the Algarve to play golf. It rained the entire time but at least it was 18 degrees. We played anyway. (and don't you love it when you go somewhere to escape the rain, it rains there and the locals are like, "Oh thank god! We need the rain!" Fuck right off, people.)
Jennifer, I have missed reading your musings. We moved and the past few months were overwhelming to say the least. It's great to catch up on your newsletter, yes, it's called a newsletter?
I hope that you are ok, this post Election Day. Oy!
Warmest wishes from NJ (was NY), from the girl who isn't nearly as cool as you...but yes, I am a time traveler.
Just discovered your writing and loving it. I listen to Beach House's 'Myth', Kings of Leon's 'Cold Desert', and almost anything by Weyes Blood to get into the feels. Winters here in Wales are very long and hard work. I'm still in denial that it's October, as beautiful as the leaves are. Oh and I'm curious to hear about the mirror.... looks so beautifully spooky!
I fear the winter season like death but oddly, I'm not too down about this upcoming winter in Wisconsin because I'm hoping to write a lot, go to the gym, sauna, eat a lot of beans, and use my happy light a lot. Do you find that you can write more during the winter season? Summer was hard to write because I just wanted to hike/bike/play tennis outside whenever I had free time.
Yes, for sure more writing (and reading) in fall/winter/spring. Summer is so spectacular here I’m out in it more. Winter is hunker down time. I feel like your winter is probably even tougher than mine… it’s dark and rainy here but not cold like Wisconsin. Good luck!
I came to Amsterdam once many years in the middle of winter and couldn't believe how there were only about 5 hours of light, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so I think I understand a little of your despair. You will feel better if you spend some time at the Riksmuseum, I think, or at an excellent concert somewhere around. I'm an early music fan (like really early, 1500-1700) and you are in a paradise for that kind of music, even if it's nothing like Chicago (I like that, too). Music and art are light for me in the darkness of the Northern Hemisphere, and I hope they will be for you, too.
It's amazing how fast the light leaves at the end of August. Summer is light until 11pm but then we lose light so fast it's jarring. And even when it's not dark it's gray. A sweater cloud descends until June.
I think you are a bit farther north. Days are getting short here in Michigan, and soon with Daylight Saving Time going off, it will be dark at 5 pm. We haven’t had the clouds, but they’ll be coming in November and will be here most of the time. Hang in there—I know it’s tough! I
I feel the same way about the rainy seasons in Central Portugal; I'm definitely a fair weather friend to this country. At least I get a lot of writing done then, as there's not much else to do in a small farming village when it rains. Thanks for the tip about Chicago ☺️
I didn’t know there was a rainy season in Portugal! I lived in Spain as a kid and we went to Portugal pretty often but always to the coast, which I remember being sunny, even in winter. I forget how diverse different regions of Portugal are.
It all depends on which part of Portugal, I guess. I targeted the area around Coimbra in order to avoid the colder and rainier areas up north (Porto, Braga), but now we have rains here too. Seven weeks solid last Oct/Nov so I thought we were done with it. But then it happened again in the spring – another seven weeks of rain! 😂
I'm in Hamburg, Germany so suffering through a similar fate. Yesterday I finally left the house after 2.5 days in pyjamas and i thought.. woooh! Its nice out here! I had a nice walk and then got home, put my pyjamas back on and haven't left again since then. its hard. I get through it with lots of candles, cooking sessions, books and more candles. Sometimes I get SO into it i get a bit annoyed when Spring comes around and then I really need to leave the house and start brushing my hair and shaving my legs and all that stuff. i like the sad songs things and someone else in the comments mentioned Lana Del Rey. I've listened to Video Games on repeat quite a few times but then feel guilty for doing that but now I think i'm going to embrace it, and just listen on repeat. My other go-to is an audiobook that i know will make me bawl my eyes out. Satisfying.
Soooooo many candles. 🕯️
Video Games, yes! Listening to her on the dark days over here in Portugal.
I listened to a sad song on repeat by Lana Del Rey while driving yesterday in the desert with the top down. That’s what makes life worth living sometimes. Sad songs on repeat.
Whatever works best for you at that moment. Get the “happy light” which helps with seasonal affective disorder.
I have one! I turn it on in the morning and drink my coffee in front of it. It helps.
Driving and crying is good.
Absolutely! 💯 and the never ending blue skies of Vegas. Every morning, the sunshine and the view of the mountains makes me happy.
Love Lana. I drive and cry a lot too .. and sometimes drive and scream...
Oh my, which one? I love her. She got me through a tough few weeks in between houses at Christmas time some years ago.
Music is a great coping mechanism and I’ve been listening to a lot of Chicago lately, myself! Someday, I hope to get to the Rijks Museum…. I’m doing an experiment where I have to actively search for at least one beautiful thing each day. I think it’s helping. And when I moved to New England, I vowed to embrace the darkness (I love the Autumn and Winter here, it’s the shorter days that get to me). Take care of yourself!
When you come to the Rijks Museum I'll meet you for coffee.
I loved Amsterdam. Did you say cobblestone streets? Did you say canals? The trees overhanging the canals come to mind. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my goodness, People living on the work boats. It has a beauty very rare in this world.
It is, without question, the most beautiful city I have ever seen. I am gobsmacked every time I walk out the door. The canals, the trees, the birds, the architecture. It's absolutely gorgeous here and I love it.
I relate to so much of this. I spent the first part of my life actively not feeling my feelings. That led to migraines and depression and anxiety and all kinds of fun. After I had my kids I became that horrifying person who cries easily at pretty much anything that would pull at your heartstrings. So much so that my kids laugh at me for it, but also think it’s cute, thankfully. I’ve lost both parents in the last few years, my firstborn went to college in September, my “baby” just had homecoming weekend and will be out the door before I know it, my dog is sick, and this country is on fire. So, yeah. Hopefully this election will go well, but in the meantime I may put on some Chicago and weep. I loved this, seriously. Thank you 🤍
Oh, we have much in common. I’ve noticed this in some of your pieces. 💜
Agreed. Wish we lived closer, we could commiserate over coffee 💕
Same here but the wonderful saunas (Soesterberg!) and cold plunges put me back in happy shape.
We’re on the central coast of Portugal, where the weather is mild year-round and we have decent sunshine in the winter. But it’s like we’re programmed to descend into an emotionally grey winter regardless. It’s ridiculous.
I'm in mostly sunny November Madrid and still have a motivation problem. I'm blaming my new friend, Perimenopause along with Winter. Regardless, your writing and perspectives have given me enough motivation to make it to the Prado. Thank you.
All of this. As a Canadian living in the Netherlands (just passed our 5 year anniversary) I loathe November especially. And March feels like light years away.
I could have written this, I swear. This is my 8th winter in the Netherlands and the depression is already hitting. I'm in Amsterdam as well, but not in the centre. So in order to go to the Rijks or to see a movie, I've got to motivate myself to get on a tram (I don't bike here...I know, I know). The past few months I was working like a dog for Democrats Abroad, but obviously that's slowed down. Staring down the barrel of another shitty Amsterdam winter (and let's face it, Spring) makes me wonder why I'm not spending it in Portugal.
Let’s move to Spain
Last winter, it got so bad that we booked four days in the Algarve to play golf. It rained the entire time but at least it was 18 degrees. We played anyway. (and don't you love it when you go somewhere to escape the rain, it rains there and the locals are like, "Oh thank god! We need the rain!" Fuck right off, people.)
Jennifer, I have missed reading your musings. We moved and the past few months were overwhelming to say the least. It's great to catch up on your newsletter, yes, it's called a newsletter?
I hope that you are ok, this post Election Day. Oy!
Warmest wishes from NJ (was NY), from the girl who isn't nearly as cool as you...but yes, I am a time traveler.
Just discovered your writing and loving it. I listen to Beach House's 'Myth', Kings of Leon's 'Cold Desert', and almost anything by Weyes Blood to get into the feels. Winters here in Wales are very long and hard work. I'm still in denial that it's October, as beautiful as the leaves are. Oh and I'm curious to hear about the mirror.... looks so beautifully spooky!
I thought of a Spinvis lyric :
De tranen op TV, zijn niet te stelpen
Die mensen huilen veel, kon ze maar helpen
De stilte zindert af, de spoken komen
Droomt elke avond weer, dezelfde dromen
Het wordt ochtend altijd weer, is het geen wonder
I fear the winter season like death but oddly, I'm not too down about this upcoming winter in Wisconsin because I'm hoping to write a lot, go to the gym, sauna, eat a lot of beans, and use my happy light a lot. Do you find that you can write more during the winter season? Summer was hard to write because I just wanted to hike/bike/play tennis outside whenever I had free time.
Yes, for sure more writing (and reading) in fall/winter/spring. Summer is so spectacular here I’m out in it more. Winter is hunker down time. I feel like your winter is probably even tougher than mine… it’s dark and rainy here but not cold like Wisconsin. Good luck!
I came to Amsterdam once many years in the middle of winter and couldn't believe how there were only about 5 hours of light, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., so I think I understand a little of your despair. You will feel better if you spend some time at the Riksmuseum, I think, or at an excellent concert somewhere around. I'm an early music fan (like really early, 1500-1700) and you are in a paradise for that kind of music, even if it's nothing like Chicago (I like that, too). Music and art are light for me in the darkness of the Northern Hemisphere, and I hope they will be for you, too.
It's amazing how fast the light leaves at the end of August. Summer is light until 11pm but then we lose light so fast it's jarring. And even when it's not dark it's gray. A sweater cloud descends until June.
I think you are a bit farther north. Days are getting short here in Michigan, and soon with Daylight Saving Time going off, it will be dark at 5 pm. We haven’t had the clouds, but they’ll be coming in November and will be here most of the time. Hang in there—I know it’s tough! I
I feel the same way about the rainy seasons in Central Portugal; I'm definitely a fair weather friend to this country. At least I get a lot of writing done then, as there's not much else to do in a small farming village when it rains. Thanks for the tip about Chicago ☺️
I didn’t know there was a rainy season in Portugal! I lived in Spain as a kid and we went to Portugal pretty often but always to the coast, which I remember being sunny, even in winter. I forget how diverse different regions of Portugal are.
It all depends on which part of Portugal, I guess. I targeted the area around Coimbra in order to avoid the colder and rainier areas up north (Porto, Braga), but now we have rains here too. Seven weeks solid last Oct/Nov so I thought we were done with it. But then it happened again in the spring – another seven weeks of rain! 😂
That is a lot of rain! Which I understand cuz, Amsterdam. Hang in there my fair weather friend. 🌧️