It's the sentence every big sister dreads. It means at least 20 minutes of trying to fathom out exactly what is wrong because, let's face it, most of us just get upset from time to time and struggle to work out exactly why. My little sister is no exception. It got me thinking though about the changing of the seasons and the impact it can have on us all; the inevitable Autumnal blues.
It happens every year. Students return to University and pupils return to school. For those of us who are governed by the educational calendar, it is a known problem. The summer is behind us and, with it, goes all sense of freedom and the contentment of simply lying in the sun for most of the day. Our social calendars begin to revolve around cosy nights in and calorific, yet heart-warming, meals. Cottage pie is back. Time to bring out the mince pies. It is a sluggish battle towards Christmas.
But not this year. I am officially declaring war on all things 'comfortable'. It just sounds so dreary. The Autumnal period should be a chance to start afresh, take stock. After all, we only live once. At school, I used to look forward to having a new pencil case, new books to write in and the knowledge I'd gain this time round (yes, I was that child). Perhaps this Autumn we should look forward to the first time we crunch through the leaves during a morning frost, the heart-stopping brilliance of a mulled wine after a long day at the office (library etc), the feel of your new winter coat as you brace yourself against the onset of the November chills and those glorious aches in your fingers when you've come in from the cold to a deliciously warm house. Everyone is always so excited for the summer and Christmas but we should be making the most of the times in between too.
So, get rid of the guy you've been pining over all summer. If he wants you, he'll call you and take you on an actual date. You should be spending your time doing some serious pampering instead. Take up a new hobby. I'm a big fan of the gym during the winter months. It's a great way to lift your mood and to get some valuable 'me' time in without having to freeze a limb off on a run outside. Focus on your work. This is the year you'll get a first in your dissertation or that promotion at work. Be positive. Everything happens for a reason but you need to be in the right frame of mind to make the best of those situations.
The winter periods don't have to be a time of hibernation. They're prep time for all those summers ahead.
