Managing Winter

January can be really difficult for a lot of people. For some, the new month means new opportunities and a newfound hope. For others, the fun and excitement of Christmas has died down, friends and family have gone home from visiting, and the bright and hopeful lights of the season are now a distant memory. There's a greyness in the air.

In all honesty, January as a therapist can be very difficult. There's an influx of people looking for someone to help them make sense of themselves and the world they live in. Most of the time, they come in carrying years and years worth of misunderstanding and hurt, hoping to make sense of it within 2-3 sessions. As grateful as I am that people trust me with the most vulnerable parts of themselves, it can be difficult to hold sometimes.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" Psalm 30:5b

It's moments like this, that I'm humbly reminded by the Holy Spirit that I'm not immune to the effects of Winter. I also struggle with managing the grey and struggle to find hope. Finding someone to talk through the paleness of the season can only go so far. I'm then reminded that seasons change. There is a season of sorrow but there is also a season of joy. Though the heaviness of this season may seem long lasting, things will change.

To some of my clients I assign them a simple task that can help leaps and bounds. I tell them to get up. Move your body. Use your hands. Wash a load of dishes. Do a coloring page. Play with Legos. Have a dance party. Find a praise within your hands and your body that reminds you of the joy to come. Sometimes the battle in our minds is too much to deal with and when that happens, we need to move from the confines of our minds and into our bodies.

Winter is hard but Spring is coming. Joy is coming.

If you are experiencing depression or a depressive episode, you do not have to manage it alone. Navigate to our resources page for further assistance. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, please visit your local emergency room or dial 911 for assistance.