I was a bit surprised and mystified by the increasing amount of posts in my blog feed a few days ago. I wondered what on earth had gotten into people – didn’t they know that it’s November, it’s getting more and more dark and miserable outside by the hour, and what could possibly be so interesting as to post every day?
… oh right. It’s November. Which means NaNoBloMo, or NaNoWriMo, or NaNoSweMo, or NaNoWTFMo, or whatever. It means people have much better self-discipline than me (and evidently, much more interesting lives) and write or blog or take pictures or run around in circles or whatever it is they do, and they’re doing it really well. At least it makes my days a bit more interesting, to read about what’s going on in other people’s at a much higher rate.
My yearly dose of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) has finally come around. It’s later than usual; I suspect it’s either because I’m further south than last year (though not by much), or because I’ve been so busy lately that I didn’t notice I’d caught it again. I get so lazy and lethargic and “blah”. I know I should do something to get out of the house, improve my mood and get my energy levels up… but I just can’t be bothered. It’s an evil spiral.
I’m thinking of getting some sort of exercise routine. I have plenty of time every day to go for at least a half hour walk, or a long bike ride. Just to get some air. I should also do something to strengthen my back – I’ve had really bad back problems for years, but only recently decided I should do something about it. Now my back muscles seem all confused about this new state and can’t decide whether to be loose and stretchy or tight and cramped. I’m afraid they’ve gone rather manic on me, which results in even more discomfort and more frequent head aches. I’d go to a physiotherapist, but I’ve been to one of those before and I didn’t like it very much. Also, my new insurance doesn’t cover any sort of chiropractor, massage therapists, physiotherapy, etc. No “alternative” or physical treatments whatsoever. Even just trying to figure out which treatment would be a better option is tiring (not to mention expensive).
At least I’ve gotten my knitting mojo back (for now).
I started the Cotton Reel Mittens by Ysolda, from her Whimsical Knits 2. They’re puckering a bit, but I hope it’ll even out with blocking. I don’t mind much, though, because I think they’ve turned out a bit smaller than pattern specs, and I have small hands and (especially) wrists. It’s a fun knit, and it’s really whizzing along. Unfortunately it makes my back ache because my “old” knitting posture isn’t good for me anymore. Never was, really, but now it’s even worse.
*sigh* Knit and feel sore, or not knit and feel annoyed that you can’t knit?
I do not know if this can help you but I started taking vitamin D as a supplement a couple years ago. I can now make it through January into April without wanting to crawl under a rock. Sometimes we go two weeks without seeing the sun; dark, grey, gloomy winter days in the Midwest United States. Not fun.
I just had my blood taken yesterday to get my vitamin D level checked, so maybe it’s something I will try out. I’m glad it helped you – we can go weeks without seeing the sun as well. :( Looking forward to spring already!