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How do you feel about Winter?

(150 Posts)
Applegran Fri 02-Oct-20 17:10:48

I have a friend who begins to lament the approach of winter as soon as the nights begin to get longer and whose mood is low during much of the winter months. Yet I also know people who are equally cheerful winter and summer - and I recently saw an article about this which I found very interesting. One of the things they did was to talk to Norwegians who live within the Arctic Circle - they have winter days when there are only 2 or 3 hours - or fewer still - of pale sunlight. Many of them love winter! It turns out that this is largely to do with how they think about it - here are some examples of questions they were asked:

Which of the following statements best reflects your attitude to winter?

*There are many things to enjoy about the winter
*I love the cosiness of the winter months
*Winter brings many wonderful seasonal changes

Or

*Winter is boring
*Winter is a limiting time of year
*There are many things to dislike about winter

No surprises that the people who agreed with the positive statements about winter were also found to be happier and more cheerful. And of course, it isn't only our attitude to winter which affects our mood and feelings - lots of things can look different if we find another way to look at them. I turned around a fear of flying by changing how I thought about it - and it wasn't as hard as you might think, once I allowed myself to see the 'story' I was telling myself. I wonder how many gransnetters have found that changing the 'story' they tell themselves about something changes how they feel?

tanith Fri 02-Oct-20 19:13:33

I don’t mind Winter or the cold it’s the dark wet days I can’t abide.

Maggiemaybe Fri 02-Oct-20 19:28:53

I love every season, now that I don’t have to go out in it. There’s something very satisfying about hearing the rain lashing down outside and knowing you can stay in bed with Gransnet your book for just as long as you want.

Shinamae Fri 02-Oct-20 19:41:42

I absolutely love winter, the wind and the rain and the cold!!! If I had to choose between living in a permanently hot climate or a permanently cold climate it would definitely be the cold one for me ??

Alegrias Fri 02-Oct-20 19:54:56

I read that article Applegran and it made me feel quite optimistic! I don't mind winter as such but I hate the dark mornings and nights. Lots of activities usually start up in winter - night classes and so on - but of course this year will be different.

I used to have to go to Sweden a lot for work. Not Norway, but still Scandinavia. Every time I went there in winter it was grey and dark. The grey land merged into the grey sky and you couldn't see the horizon - none of the crisp winters I imagined! I remember their outdoor nurseries too. Kids outside in all weathers, with the right clothing.

I think the article also mentioned hygge, I'm quite encouraged by that approach, cosy blankets and hot chocolate!

moggie57 Fri 02-Oct-20 20:09:50

Tell you friend to get a S.A.D lamp.sit bear it for a few hours.does work I got one.if not volunteer at charity shop.keeps you socialising and gets you out and about.

moggie57 Fri 02-Oct-20 20:10:36

Near not bear.spelling is bad this evening

merlotgran Fri 02-Oct-20 20:11:17

grumppa

“If winter comes, can spring be far behind?” Shelley had it about right.

I agree. My mood lifts as soon as I see the first sign of snowdrops.

Urmstongran Fri 02-Oct-20 20:15:46

Wearing appropriate clothing helps!

At least retirement has meant for us (on the whole) not needing to set an alarm clock and setting off to work with all that entailed - scraping ice off windscreens for example or going out in those scary high winds.

We can work around when the rain stops more often than not!

Chewbacca Fri 02-Oct-20 20:22:23

I love Spring - who doesn't?
I tolerate Summer - sweaty, muggy, listless, can't sleep properly and all those damned flies!
I love Autumn - the most beautiful time of year; fresh clean air, clear blue skies, sharp colours and free fruit and nuts in abundance.
I'm fine with Winter - time to read, complete hobbies or find new ones, home looks cosier anymore welcoming. Shutting the curtains or blinds against a miserable wet night is nice. Opening them to find snow; not so much.

kittylester Fri 02-Oct-20 20:55:32

I love all the seasons for their variety .

lemongrove Fri 02-Oct-20 21:03:28

The one thing you can always say ( in Winter and any season)
About Britain, is that you can expect the unexpected?which I like.Every Season has good things about it, and although Spring is my favourite, Winter has ( as well as Christmas) many things to enjoy, such as walks on crisp cold days, seeing bare tree branches which have their own beauty, snow ( if it arrives) is all the more lovely for not lasting long...we have to make the most of it when it does.Cosy homes with the log fire
And candles and furry throws.?

Antonia Fri 02-Oct-20 21:57:13

I don't mind winter as I look awful in summer clothes! Mostly, I look forward to planning my spring garden.

Witzend Fri 02-Oct-20 22:15:55

Me too, Shinamae, and I lived for 13 years in very hot desert climates. I appreciate rain! (Maybe not every day, though.)

I don’t find winter too bad at all here in the SE - even in January (my least loved month) there can be quite nice mild days when people sit outside at cafes etc.

Even if it’s sunny I hate that sort of biting cold where you have to wrap up to the nines. A sister was married in New York in December - it was absolutely bloody freezing, with God knows what wind chill factor - never again for me!

Sallywally1 Fri 02-Oct-20 22:35:41

I wouldn’t mind it if I didn’t have to go to work. I lie in my nice warm bed first thing before I force myself to get up and hear people scraping ice off their cars brr!

But I like the colours of autumn and winter can be lovely too, think bare trees against a winter sky.

I dislike going out in the dark and coming home in the dark, bit also how nice it is to switch the lamps on, draw the curtains, turn on the gas fire and watch a good drama on the telly with a beer and a piece of cake!

It’s all a matter of your point of view (though I hate snow and ice especially if I have to drive!)

SpringyChicken Fri 02-Oct-20 23:11:02

Poorly lit rooms definitely affect my mood in winter. We've gradually replaced lightbulbs with LEDs. We have daylight (not cool white) bulbs in the kitchen, bathroom, hall and landing and can recommend them. When the clocks change, I wash all the glass shades, that makes a big difference too.

sodapop Sat 03-Oct-20 09:23:39

I have just about the same list as Chewbacca love colder weather. Continuous rain is not so enjoyable when dogs have to be walked three times a day but rather that than the oppressive heat.

Hetty58 Sat 03-Oct-20 09:32:37

I love all the changing seasons but prefer a cold day to a heatwave one.

I think spring and autumn are my favourites and it's fascinating watching all the little daily differences in nature, on walks and in the garden.

I'd be most unhappy if I lived somewhere that remained pretty much the same, year round!

Jaxjacky Sat 03-Oct-20 10:14:19

I don’t mind Winter as long as I can stay warm, since buying warmers for both hands and feet, it’s not too bad, thermal tops and tights complete the protection.
And I love snow!

Stephenmarra Sat 03-Oct-20 11:03:31

I love the winter.
I don't know who said this "there's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing" but it is so true. I can enjoy the fells and lakes with out rubbish and worse left behind by our delightful summer visitors.
Getting up and going for a walk on a frosty morning , the air always seems to be clean, fresh and invigorating. Still got an open fire in sitting room that I only use in the winter months. I suppose I'm a big kid as I love the snow.
This is not to say i don't look forward to Spring the first sighting of a snowdrops the birds start claiming their territory and cherry blossom can be seen.

Callistemon Sat 03-Oct-20 11:10:35

Well, today's pretty dreadful.
I wouldn't want to be out on the Fells in this weather.

Stephenmarra Sat 03-Oct-20 11:20:38

When the weather's like this you just go for a drive and stay close to the car.

Callistemon Sat 03-Oct-20 11:39:05

I'm going nowhere today!

Maggiemaybe Sat 03-Oct-20 12:12:19

We’re not allowed to see the family indoors, so we walked with DD2 and two grandsons in the drizzle yesterday, we’re walking with DS and another two grandsons in the rain today, and we’re walking with DD1 and the baby grandson in whatever’s thrown at us tomorrow. Good job we’re a hardy lot. grin

LauraNorder Sat 03-Oct-20 12:20:55

Cosy winters by the fire, early nights, lots of stews and custardy puddings. Jumpers and boots.
Hopeful spring with longer evenings, daffodils, tiny green buds as the trees begin to leaf.
Fabulous warm summers walking barefoot on the sand, smelling roses, eating salads, drinking rose wine.
Autumn colours as the leaves turn to rich orange, yellow and red.
Great to be retired and able to enjoy it all.
Working life was different
Winter meant frozen windscreens, slippery roads, out in the dark, home in the dark.
Spring meant too many whip rounds for weddings
Summer, having to work in a hot office when all the oldies are walking barefoot on the sand.
Autumn, trains delayed by leaves on the tracks, nights drawing in and a long time to wait for retirement.

Grannybags Sat 03-Oct-20 12:21:21

I wouldn't mind winter if it didn't have Christmas in it!

I really don't enjoy Christmas but love cold crispy sunny winter days.