My first winter living on Pender Island turned out harder than I ever expected. Born in Eastern Canada, where I lived until my early thirties, one would think the milder West Coast temperature alone would make me ecstatic. And it did, the first few years in Vancouver: all I had to do on a rainy winter day was check the weather in Montreal, and I immediately felt joyful. Cheeky “haha-poor-you” texts to the family chat also helped, of course!
By the time I moved here, however, I was fully acclimatized. And I had not anticipated how bad I would eventually feel that first island winter. The damp, the cold, the low weepy skies, the grey, the dark – it all got to me. I saw in some people’s pitying looks they could tell I was depressed, probably even before I could. (To those who did, I still remember your kindness, the helpful chats, invitations, and Pender winter survival tips. Thank you.)
I had heard of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or seasonal depression; however I didn’t think it would happen to me. But it did, and I was ill-equipped in many ways. For our second winter here, a new wood stove at home made a huge difference. I also got referred to a wonderful, local therapist.
I covered, in my last column, the topic of our dark evenings and my appreciation of the extended Christmas Lights Season on Pender. I wasn’t exaggerating, they quite literally make my winters here brighter: one of the glimmers that keeps me hopeful. Having learned a few tips over the years from others, and experience, I am sharing some with our readers, for those that might find our winters to be hard too.
If you need your own glimmers this cold season, to make it less blue, consider starting here:
Create comfort at home
- Take hot baths, and make them extra nice.
- Light candles in the evening.
- Turn on indoor lights during the day to counter the darkness.
- Indulge in self-care that helps you connect with your body, creating daily rituals.
Shift your mindset around winter
- View winter as a season for turning inward, choosing the things you never seem to “have time” for.
- Celebrate the winter solstice.
- Practice gratitude, ideally daily, by thinking of or writing down three things you’re grateful for.
- Take up journaling or meditation.
Reconnect with creativity and play
- Rekindle old hobbies: reading books, sketching, doing puzzles, playing solitaire with an actual card deck, baking, sewing, listening to old favourite tunes.
- Discover new hobbies: audiobooks, new podcasts, yoga, learning an instrument, playing music, singing, dancing, stretching, or daily movement.
Stay connected to others
- Connect with other humans, near or far.
- Join a community group: choose a weekly activity, or volunteer.
- Attend local or community events, and use your Pender Post copy to highlight things of interest.
- Find a good therapist or counsellor and see them regularly.
Get outside, even when it’s grey or rainy
- Spend time among trees, or simply look outside at greenery.
- Take winter beach walks, noticing the views, scents, and wildlife.
- Practice “awe” walks: be curious like a child and let yourself be amazed by small things.
- Adopt a pet responsibly, if it fits your life, one that gets you outside rain or shine.
- Treat yourself to an off-island outing.
Plan for steadiness
- Plan your next garden beds or plot, even if it’s months away.
- Use a physical planner to schedule things in, and make a habit of checking it every Sunday or Monday.
- Sign up for group classes early, committing in advance.
- Book appointments in advance: massages, physiotherapy, facials, foot care, nails, acupuncture, or other treatments ahead of time.
Four years in, I know I’m not alone in my struggle with the damp, grey months. In conversations, when sharing my first winter story, fellow newcomers often echo my experience. Only yesterday, I overheard someone say, “I just need to remember to hang on until the end of February,” for daylight to last a little longer after work.
It feels less lonely now, when I get in a dark place. Over time, I developed resiliency by keeping good habits that make my Pender winters a lot more bearable…and even pleasant. It is my hope that you will too.
Do you have any winter tips for Pender newcomers you would like to share with us? Email community@penderpost.org or comment on our Facebook post this January 19.