Spring is here, and happiness and warmth are all around! At least, that’s how it seems it should feel. The short, dark days of another winter in Ohio have finally lifted, and with it, a large, dreary weight off the shoulders of many. However, there are some of us who are not so drastically affected by this change of pace. The long winter months takes its toll on many, and if you’re like me, the dark mornings can make it nearly impossible to get out of bed, and the cold weather can make it easy to isolate yourself alone indoors for the winter months. This is a collective experience shared by so many here that, even while staying in as much as possible for months, there can be a certain sense of solidarity sometimes felt in the bitter cold.
What can feel truly isolating, is when it gets brighter, and everyone else seems to get “better.” Once returning from spring break, the school year goes at warp speed. People returning more chipper than ever from their beach vacations, more and more people heading to the KAC to get in shape, people breaking out a new spring wardrobe, people always playing frisbee when you can only think about mustering up enough energy to go to class. It can seem truly suffocating to anyone not feeling suddenly happier in the warm, spring air.
The shift can often mean people no longer understand being late simply because “you couldn’t get up”, the weather’s no longer an excuse to stay in and you’ve become a “flake” for cancelling plans, and suddenly going to bed at 7 pm isn’t “acceptable” now just because it’s not dark. But, it’s crucial to know that even if you still feel like a mess who sleeps too much or too little without feeling like you’ve gotten enough done, you’re certainly not alone. It can be so easy to become overwhelmed with guilt when so many others appear to suddenly be functioning so effortlessly, but there are plenty of people who are also still struggling. Try not to let the guilt of not being constantly busy consume you. It’s okay to still have trouble getting out of bed or staying awake, it’s okay to set a bare minimum goal sometimes, and it’s okay if you don’t always reach it.
Take care of yourself and your health first, and don’t be afraid to reach out if you need additional support. Solidarity can be comforting when you feel hopelessly alone, but it’s not always easy to see who around you is feeling the same. If you need someone to talk to feel free to reach out to a trusted friend or call the Counseling Center at 740-427-5643 or the Peer Counselors Hotline at 740-485-5784. If you are someone who is not experiencing any of these issues, try to be conscious of those around you who may not feel up to certain things, and try to be understanding. This time of year can put a lot of pressure on everyone and it’s crucial that we take care of one another.