Thursday, March 20, 2008

A slog of a blog

So you know that thing they call Seasonal Affective Disorder? The one where people grow increasingly despondent when deprived of adequate sunshine? Well, I think it's got me by the tail. I'm over-reacting to things that shouldn't upset me nearly this much (more on that below) and failing to process some of the bigger news coming my way. I'm not sure what to make of this (or what God was thinking when he designed the month of March as it plays out here in the Northeastern states).

Here's a tip, if you ever wake up feeling this way: DO NOT finish the book you're reading, the one where you know--because the author has been kind enough to warn you--that the beloved 13 year old dog you've been reading about is going to die. Put the book down. Even if it's overdue at the library, put it down. The extra dime you'll pay in late fees will be more than made up for by what you save in tissues used if you read the book. And that's not even considering what a wreck you'll be for the rest of the day when you look at your beloved dog, who just turned 12. (And the fact that said beloved dog is not comforting you in your sorrow, but rather strategizing to grab your pile of used tissues so she can tear them to shreds in a fit of uninhibited joy, will not diminish your sobbing as much as you might expect).

The one thing I try to remember now when this happens, is that how I feel on one crappy, soggy day is not in any way indicative of what tomorrow will be like. I used to get sucked down into a bog of imagined inevitability, unable to fathom how or why anyone could go through the mundane tasks of life when things were destined to always be this grim. Now I know: it's because they won't. Circumstances change. Things make us laugh. Bad news gets turned around and we forget that we were ever worried. Maybe we even return an overdue book to the library and the computer shows no late fee at all. So I'm gonna let today be a gloomy day, trusting that tomorrow, there will be something way more fun to blog about.

Okay, that's all the philosophy for now...I'm off to pop some vitamin D and download some sunshine-related songs for my iPod.

18 comments:

Unknown said...

The sun'll come out, tomorrow, but cha gotta hang on till tomorrow....come what may...TOMORROW, TOMORROW, I LOVE YA TOMORROW, you're only a day away......funny thing is, we were literally just singing this song in the car. I couldn't resist:)

You need a trip down south - nothin' like a spontaneous road trip to D.C. to shake off those March blues.

I love you and pray this day brings you a restful peace, that your strength will be renewed, and that the SUN will shine brightly for you!

Anonymous said...

Sending e-sunshine your way! Hope March gets better soon.

xox

L Sass said...

Oh... poor puppy dog. That is never going to improve your day.

Spring is just around the corner!

Anonymous said...

That was totally my yesterday. Rainy and gross and it was like pulling teeth to get anything done. Plus I was cranky as hell and extra-sensitive (read: paranoid) about the most ridiculous things.

Thank god the sun came out today. I so loathe March.

Tomorrow will be waaaay better for you. I promise.

Michelle and the City said...

smiling always helps me when i feel like that. even if i have to force it :)

and damn. i just remembered that i have like $7 in late fees at the library.

Anonymous said...

Em stole my line, I was going to sing from Annie, but I'm tone deaf so it's better that Em wrote it first.

Anonymous said...

Sorry you are feeling crummy. You commented on my blog about The Biggest Loser. I freaking love that show!!! I think about it the whole time I am on the elliptical and pretend the trainers are encouraging me to keep going:-)

Vanessa said...

HUG I know those days and they are hard. Perhaps a nice Jen Lancaster book to make you laugh? (I was once asked to quiet down on an airplane from laughing so loudly while reading one of her books.)

Beck said...

I've been so bluuue this winter - but I'm totally certain that my sad, sad mood will lift as soon as the grass and leaves come back.
Are dead dog books EVER a good idea, really? Even thinking about poor dead dogs makes me tear up.

Jenny said...

Oh, I'm with ya. I've self-diagnosed myself with SAD. Let's go to Mexico next winter.

Anonymous said...

This day can't last forever! Before you know it, it will be bright and sunny! I can't even imagine my Cooper leaving me. I can't read books where dogs die or even watch movies where dogs die, I get all choked up.

ramblin' girl said...

I tend to feel February is that way here. A little glum.

March on the other hand, is always perfect. Even when we get 3 feet of snow, the sun always comes out soon after.

I took a nice long walk with TheDog and her sister, then had a margarita on a patio with an old friend to plan our late spring river trip. Perfect. If it doesn't pass, you can always head west for a weekend... ;-)

Darlene said...

That a girl :)
Sometimes the only sunshine you will see is the shine you create yourself. This is a good opportunity to be some sunshine for somebody else too :)

love for today,
xOx Darlene

Jane said...

I reach the same point by the time March rolls around! Hang in there and have a wonderful weekend :))

Larramie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Larramie said...

Happy Easter, Trish, and a sunny Happy Spring!

Allie said...

I have an idea for you - I'm not sure what the gutters are like where you live, but I suggest going for a raindance! Actually I'm not even sure if it's rainy where you live. So this is bad advice. I just find that jumping in puddles is a really good way to enjoy bad weather. Of course, you have to find somewhere secluded...

LEstes65 said...

Ok, next year, plan a trip down HERE for March.