Dropping temperatures, shorter days and long nights mark the end of a quaint autumn. To me, autumn is marked by an abundance of brightly colored leaves that decorate the trees before falling to the ground, a craving for pumpkin spice lattes, cider, and donuts, and peaceful walks through the Arboretum. It’s hard to imagine the harsh, desolate winter conditions while enjoying the gorgeous autumnal weather in Ann Arbor. As students walk around campus, most of us quickly become used to the squirrels that walk alongside us, scavenging for nuts and shelter as we travel to class or the library. As the weather changes, many students tend to combat the lack of activity outdoors by staying inside, “rotting” in bed, or perhaps by devoting themselves academically and immersing themselves in the pursuit of academic prowess. This group of students strongly believes in the “winter comeback arc,” or that their inner “academic weapon” will ignite during the dormant season and motivate them to finish the semester successfully.
I am no stranger to this phenomenon. As an Ann Arbor native, I have experienced countless harsh winters, blizzards and negative-degree weather; I have accumulated an unbelievable amount of stories about slipping on black ice. I associate winter with a sort of dormant hibernation period in which I spend most of my time inside, indulging in the indoor hobbies that I typically neglect during the summer months. I pick up a great book, take out my sketchbook, journal and a pair of headphones, and I spend all day relaxing. While it’s important to maintain a positive relationship with yourself to avoid burnout, this practice of self-isolation can feel alienating and induce feelings of loneliness. It’s harder to avoid feelings of seasonal depression when it seems that fall passes in an instant and, without warning, winter has arrived making the idea of leaving your house or dorm feel like a taxing chore.Â
How can you combat these feelings of isolation and build respite in opposition to feelings of seasonal depression and isolation?Â
First, I would suggest picking up a good book. If you are an avid reader, a trip to Barnes and Noble or a book crawl through downtown (Literati, Dawn Treader, and Third Mind Books are great options) may motivate you to leave your cocoon and get a sweet treat in the process. Speaking of sweet treats, if books are not your forte, buy a sweet treat (or better yet, bake one yourself) to enjoy inside a cozy cafe or in the comfort of your home. If you choose to bake your own treat and you’re feeling up for it, invite a few friends to help with the baking and to enjoy your treats with. You can also spruce up the gathering by decorating your dining area and playing ambient background music. In general, inviting friends and loved ones to your space (or spending time with them in their space) is a great way to facilitate connection and conversation to combat feelings of isolation.Â
Perhaps the most important thing to incorporate into your routine during the winter months is maintenance of a positive mindset. While this period of cold temperatures and solemn feelings may be temporary, it should not be an agonizing length of time. It’s important to not get trapped in the cycle of nostalgia and wishing to return to the past summer. You should refrain from getting caught in the mindset of waiting for the upcoming summer. It’s crucial to remain in the present moment. You must understand that at this moment, winter is here, and it is okay that this is the case because during this season, you have more time to indulge in indoor hobbies and activities with loved ones. The coming of winter does not necessarily mean that old hobbies and activities must be put on a temporary pause. But rather, with a slight shift in perspective, winter can mean the emergence of new hobbies and ways of enjoyment within the comfort of your home with the people you love.