November depressing month?

The thought of the November nights drawing in usually makes me feel very glum indeed and everything becomes an effort. However, this year has brought lovely autumn colours and exceptionally mild weather. I had a lovely walk today under a blue sky with my baby granddaughter. I hope the weather doesn't turn as that will certainly bring on a fit of the glums.

I always say November is a waste of time and space, and would be happy to spend it abroad, or add 1 week to May, June, September and October.

But this year, it has been an Indian Summer- and gorgeous. Sadly because of climate change, so it is worrying- but it has been really nice.

I’m going off summer now I’m older, long sunny days depress me more than Autumn or winter. They seem to say you should be outside making the most of the good weather.
Now I can enjoy all the cosy things of life, heated throw, new oodie and lighting candles.
This sums up my idea of bliss:-

November can be very depressing but we have had some lovely days here and the autumn colours have been splendid. I can usually cope and play golf up until Xmas but after that it's too cold and I am freezing all the time. Heaven knows what the bills are going to be like.

M0nica

My heart lifts at the beginning of September with the first sign of Autumn and stays that way all the way through the winter months.

Me too M0nica

It will be extremely difficult this year. Our children are gone to other states. My husband and I will be completely alone. It will be extremely depressing.

My life is precious so I try to enjoy each day. This November has been lovely, unusually mild and quite sunny and I’m not being gloomy but who knows how many more Novembers will come around for me, or any of us.

Most Novembers are dark, wet, often foggy and usually cold and they make me feel miserable. So far, this November has been glorious, we have been blessed with warm weather, very little rain and the most beautiful autumn colours in the gardens and woods. I've actually found it quite uplifting. The down side is I'm way behind with Christmas preparations as I can't believe it's just around the corner, it still feels like September!

i love november. i love the colours, the smells, the darkening days. to me it is a cosy month.

Yes it has been wonderful, sunny, bright, colourful so far.

But since yesterday we have rain on and off, and the sun is hiding- November has arrived, finally.

No but January now theres a depressive month, At least November we are getting ready for Christmas so lights and gifts appearing in shops

I can't bear the dull, dreary greyness of November.

Do not really like November, December, January or February! Get to March & my mood lifts as it is easier to get out for a brief walk when not so chilly. Love Spring do not mind Summer if not too hot & like Autumn! Think the winter months remind me that I do not have much longer in this world & wish I was fit enough to get to see Family & Friends! Even more lonely in the winter months than the rest of the year! Sad sack me my Nan would have said 🥴

Blossoming

Yes, BrandyGran: I find it hard to get motivated to do anything. I just want to wrap myself in a blanket and hide. Thomas Hood’s poem says it perfectly for me.

No sun — no moon!
No morn — no noon —
No dawn — no dusk — no proper time of day?

No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member —
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! —
November

I absolutely hate this poem and find it to be the most negative , depressing and unthankful poem. If you wrap yourself in a blanket and hide, you will not see any of the beauty in nature.

As I am writing this the sun IS shining. All you have to do is open your eyes and go outside where there are beautiful Autumn leaves in reds, oranges, yellows, rusts.... the sun is always out even when it's behind a cloud. I saw the moon last night and have always seen it. Health is what you put into your body and the exercise you give it, the care you take of it, including your mental health.
I can assure you there is both shade and shine, still. In fact we have enjoyed an unseasonably warm and sunny november so far in England.
There is fruit and flowers in some people's gardens still and certainly in the supermarkets. There are birds flying in the sky where I live. Of course, if I spent my life under a blanket I would miss all of the beauty there is. I feel this poem is a lie and depressing, an excuse to give up and hibernate which will only contribute to worsen physical and mental health.

I don't mean to be rude, want to explode the myth of "november" being a depressing month. Any month is depressing if you are depressed, but there are always ways you can reframe that experience and improve your MH. I choose to see the good in each day and to celebrate the small joys, whatever they may be.

Today's joys so far are cuddling my dog, seeing the sun come out, rain for the garden, beautiful coloured leaves, proper coffee and a home baked pumpkin and walnut pastry and a hug from my husband. I am grateful for those things and the title of the month doesn't change anything for me.

Every day is a bonus I think. What's not to like, think of the alternative.

Once we get to the solstice the run up to summer begins so that should lift your spirits.

At our poetry group, we shared some beautiful poems about November. This was a favourite:
poets.org/poem/my-november-guest

One of my friends keeps a journal "Joyful things" , which I find inspiring. That way, when she looks back on a year all she sees is what was right with it.
I think reframing things and choosing to see what's right with life instead of what's wrong with it can make a huge difference to our MH. Seeing as our MH is health and affects our physical health, I think we all need to fight to be well in whatever ways we can.

Even more so this year… my landlord has just put ‘my’ house on the market… I’ve been here over six years and looked after the house beautifully. Even planted the garden up (which was totally bare on my arrival!!!)
Fed up doesn’t even begin to cover it… 😞

That's a lovely poem Nannarose. Kind of describes the November's I knew as a child - and yet in this part of England no trees are bare. Every tree is full of green or gold leaves that haven't fallen. The seasons are so mixed up because of global warming and temperatures are so warm compared with November's as a child.

Sorry to hear about your home @Maidmarion. I can totally understand you being fed up about that and I really hope it doesn't sell.

Yes, M0nica, my heart lifts, too! I love the changing colours of the trees, the feeling of freshness, the darker evenings which feel cosy, and the cooler nights. We have a few things going on with several birthdays close together in early November, but it’s the peace and coolness after a long and hot summer that I value very much. Last, but not least, I enjoy autumn dressing: autumn colours in my clothes, and some new clothes in more autumn colours all combine to lift my heart even further.

I do on wet days, I’m disabled so been on my own doesn’t help during the day. Tried joining groups but too long in the tooth for bitchy remarks, I would rather be on my own. I’m knitting which keeps me busy and watching old programmes . Day time tv not for me . I like to put music on to cheer me up too

hollysteers

I’m going off summer now I’m older, long sunny days depress me more than Autumn or winter. They seem to say you should be outside making the most of the good weather.
Now I can enjoy all the cosy things of life, heated throw, new oodie and lighting candles.
This sums up my idea of bliss:-

Exactly how I feel too hollysteers add some new books to your list and it's heaven for me.

Don't worry , we are almost halfway through it now.

Spent time in the garden ckearing hopefully, the last of tge autumn leaves. Also did some tidying up some plants, Nerenes still blooming. Birds constantly at the feeders and no doubt after the soil being disturbed in the garden the ground feeders will arrive. Squirrels running over the fence. Quiet in tge neighbourhood as no kids screaming and shouting and thumping a football on the grassy area. I can enjoy November.