Pencil sketch of bare tree branches and a night owl. Art by me. (c)2018

February comes dark and still;

Bleak and barren;

Closed and bare.

Cold.

It’s the shortest month, so why does it feel like the longest?

The cold, the snow, the ice, the misery on every corner.

It takes great effort to get through February.

We try to pretend it’s better than it is. We make a huge deal of Groundhog’s Day, the 100th day of school, Valentine’s Day, winter recess, and when it’s a leap year, we rejoice.

How do you make your February less dreary?

How do you come out on the other side?

This month is a good time to talk about and be more aware of our mental health. The long nights and the empty darkness have ways of prolonging our low feelings, even for those of us who don’t have seasonal affective disorder. How do you cope? What are your tools? Do you have a tool kit or grab bag for those less than good days? I’ll share some of my tools in the coming days. There was irony this morning when a good friend asked for suggestions on Facebook for de-stressing and resetting. That is the most important key – asking for help. Use everything that’s available. Start by setting up your coping box or bag, so whenever you’re hit with those feelings you’re already halfway prepared. 

What is the one thing you would put in your coping tool kit?

The recipe I’ll be sharing next week is something I’m actually making today: crock pot lasagna. The first time I tried it, it was perfection. See, the internet is good for something!