Another year, another round of resolutions and promises we make to ourselves. Maybe you want to finally pick back up that series you were writing, or perhaps you want to learn a new instrument to impress all your mutuals. All great things, but all unfortunately destined to fail.
It is a well-known fact to all, that the goals we set each January turn into hobbies at best by the third week, pipe dreams by February and by March, completely forgotten. There’s real science to suggest that Winter is in many ways the hardest time of the year to be productive.
Consider the seasonal cycle
One reason for phenomena is the order of the seasons, and how they influence us from one to the next. When you think about it, Spring comes before Summer. Spring as a season is focused on growth and vitality. We have spring cleaning, a heightened focus on gardening and for many the last burst of energy for the school year. Meaning, that by the time Summer hits, you’re in the mood for fun in the sun because you’ve most likely already been at your most active.
However, the season that comes before Winter is Fall. And Fall is a season that focuses on warmth and connection. Seeing people you haven’t seen all year, indulging in comfort foods, and taking yourself back to nostalgic times in your story. That’s only motivating you to do one thing, and that’s take a nap. And Winter itself doesn’t make it much better, by kicking off with Christmas and New Year’s, arguably the two holidays when you are allowed to indulge the most.
But what about the physical and mental strain?
There’s also what the seasonal weather does to our bodies, both physically and mentally. We are experiencing less exposure to the sun, thus lowering the amount of natural Vitamin D we get each day. Vitamin D mainly ensure your bones grow and move properly, but it also can affect your immune system. Your immune system directly affects how you fight off outside forces, thus your air flow and boom, how much energy your brain sends to your system. We also can’t ignore that most people who have seasonal depression, experience it during winter.
According to the American Family Physician, somewhere between 4-6% of people experience seasonal affective disorder around this time. And, upwards of 20% of people experience a mild version of it. It’s said to be heightened in both women, as well as people who spend time in Northern states. So yeah, it’s a lot harder to pick up the paint brush when your mind and body are all clocking out for the holidays.
So, what do?
So now that we know the blockade exists, what can we do to tear down the wall? Well not much, but you can chip at it enough where you have healthy ways of maneuvering around it. The first thing that’s important to do is forgive yourself for not being at your prime. Again, there are many factors at play for why you don’t feel motivated to do whatever you are trying to accomplish. And doubt is a treacherous seed. So, the best thing is to acknowledge that you aren’t feeling super motivated, it doesn’t make you a defective artist and it’s something you are just going to have to get over.
The next step is to give up on will power all together. Many sources suggest that the largest misstep we make when trying to add a new skill into our lives is rely on will power. Will power is your worse ex. Not the one you still check up on, not even the one that you see at the same parties and nod at. It is the one you only text when you are at your lowest of lows and want reassurance. The best way to actually add a new habit, hobby, and/or skill is to illuminate choice. Just do it before you can think yourself out of it. And after awhile if you keep doing that, it’ll start to feel like a regular part of your routine, come rain, snow or any other seasonal appropriate weather.
