This winter has been a long and cold one...and with other family problems going on, it has been a really depressing one...I have had next to no energy to do anything at home...go to work, come home and just want to sit, do nothing (hang on computer) and have not done much sewing all winter.I do some reading, and a bit of knitting, but sewing, which is usually my "therapy" hasn't been what I have been doing much of this winter. I sure hope that the warmer weather this next week will help. It probably is a combination of depression and SAD. (I do take a medication for the depression).

My brother died last fall, and my father has Alzheimer's and is slipping away piece by piece, my mother has health problems, hospitalized last month, and having some testing done the end of this month, so there are concerns for her health too. Six years ago my husband died, so that makes for long lonely winters anyway.


Just wondering if any of you also have the winter blues and how you deal with it. I really want to get back into a creative mode.

yup...tis the season of the winter blues...i think this is the hardest beginning of a new year i've gone through in about 25 years and it is definitly a tough one...i have forced my self to get back in the sewing room and that is helping, i am starting to see (productivity) again. and i went to a museum on saturday and had the biggest surprise...the exhibit i did not know was there just...touched my soul...i am still---wowed,emotional about it and am feeling like maybe i can make ... something better, even if i have no control over all the crap orbiting my world...i actually started pulling myself out of the funk a little bit with about a 36 hour period of 'ZENTANGLES' just sat and doodled, then i went into the sewing room to organize ufo's...and chose one i thought i was close to having done and i like it...and went to town getting it done...not quite done yet, but hopeful for this week, and just 'hopeful' again...i force myself off the computer, i set a timer when i turn it on for 45 minutes- my timer has a 1 minuter 'warning' beep when that beep happens i have 1 minute to finish what i'm doing and power down...then i have to get up and go to the other room to shut the timer off...and it will drive you crazy-you have no choice. then i go find something else to do with myself. it works for me, especially when i've been in a funk...just some forced structure helps get me going again.

I can relate to your situation in many ways. I lost an exhusband (the father of my children), my Mother and then my oldest daughter in a span of three years. Fortunately I have a wonderful husband still with me....
I went through a long period of depression. It would lift for a while then come over me like a shroud. It was such a bad feeling.
For me this quilting board, humor and forcing myself to get back to sewing and quilting , finally helped clear away the sadness.
When you look around at what's going on in the world, the unrest, the rising prices and unemployment, it's easy to feel hopeless and depressed.
Humor has always been a saving grace for me. Watching funny movies and reading funny books can help. For me, having my youngest grandchildren move closer really helped a lot too.
It's different for everyone, but somehow reaching outside your self to others really helps. I hope you find a way to see there is still a worthwhile life for you....Stay strong, spring WILL come! :D

I also suffer with SAD, the short days and cold really get to me. I don't want to do anything, except be on the computer. I've been doing both BOM's on here, that has been a help. I take B-6 and B-12 and use a happy light and I'm counting down the days til we can go camping. I love nascar and that started yesterday. I think having something to look forward to helps pass the time and lifts my mood. Theres more winter behind us than in front of us, the days are getting longer. I'm planing moving some things around in my sewing room today. You just have to force yourself to get moving or doing something and it won't be long until you feel better

Yes, I'm taking medication for depression too, started in 1999 when one of my grandson passaway in my home. Long Story. then my parents split up and that took a toll on me, then my sister passaway from drowning March 2009, also in March of 2009 is when I got hurt on my job and now have back pain and I can't seem to do the things I use to and its very depressing. But the winters really take a toll on my soul just want to sleep and do nothing! Hoping this changes soon with the weather getting warmer. I seem to get happier when its warm outside.

I think I have mild SAD (seasonal affective disorder) I go outside and sit in the sunniest spot for a least 10 min. I also keep the curtains & blinds on the south side wide open. And walking at least 30 min helps plus I get the extra sunshine.There are light therapies you can try. Just keep moving and taking your medicine and talking with your healthcare prof. Death and Alzheimer can take its toll. Lost my FIL, GF & GM all within two years. So I feel for you there.Just take care of and pamper yourself, it takes time to heal. Start with a small project that you can finish in a day or less and give it to someone else that you know that needs a pick me up.You get the instant gratification of finishing a project and making someone else day too. Take care.

As I read your stories, tears running down my face, as I can and do relate to the things you say. Sometimes I wonder why we have to go through so many things all at once.

Ask your doctor about adding 1000 units of vitamin D3 to your daily regimen.

Winters are generally rough all around, what with cold, less direct sunlight, shorter days, being house bound....but finding things to do inside...sewing, reading, cooking, yoga, taking a short nap each day can help.

I feel for you!

Jan in VA

Having gone through 4 family deaths in the past 4 years (one being my 28 year old son) I would tell you "baby steps". Don't be hard on yourself, be as kind as you can. Life itself right now is hard enough. None of this is easy, and who knows why we have to go through it?--but we do. If you can get out in any way--week ends, after work, whenever force yourself out that door for a little while. Try to get into the sunshine as often as possible so that you can also remember your blessings. One of which is the people on this board who will pray for you.

Thank-you all for your input. I got a wonderful surprise today...my youngest son had been about a half hour from here for the weekend...and instead of just going back to college...he is here for the afternoon keeping me company....just having him here is so nice, we are both on our computers in the same room for a bit, listening to music, talking here and there...I really miss him being away. His ride back will pick him up in a couple of hours, but for now we are hanging out together.

I did get into my sewing room for a bit, and pulled out some pre-cut 2" squares...leftovers from projects, I will cut off any leftovers and throw them into a box. I am making some 4-patches and will see what becomes of them...sometimes starting with something really basic like these can get the creative juices flowing again.

I do like some of the ideas you presented, and will make a list of them to refer to when I am needing a boost.
Sorry to those of you that have also had losses...especially multiple ones...it seems to complicate the grief process.