I know we are just rounding into Fall from the summer, and winter is still on the horizon. Whenever I talk about SAD for some reason, I always think like a geek that “Winter is coming.” Watching Game of Thornes always reminded me that the seasonal affective disorder part of my diagnosis is real in the winter months. These are the months that I struggle most, and in an ordinary world, I could handle it. We live in a COVID-19 “new normal,” and I worry about those who will be struggling more than usual.
For myself, it will be some rough months. I have my mom’s one-year griefversary of her passing. I will use what I learned, including detached emotions, to deal with, but I will have days. This time around, I have a plan. People who care and I can reach out to when things become muddled. I am going to allow the depression that comes to have its space in my life. Why let it control me? I have for many years, and that has gotten me nowhere good. The seasonal affective disorder is real, and I usually suffer from October to about May. It has been better the last, and I have better tools to deal with it this year.
So much is happening in our world. We have to remember that our mental health is more important than what is going on in the news or social media. One of the things I am considering is a total social media shut down until the end of the year for me, that means outside of this blog, I will delete my social media accounts from my phone, the only way that I access social media. I have a friend that is considering giving up her phone by 2021, and that even sounds like a good idea if I wasn’t launching my business.
I have so much to do, including putting the finishing touches on my book and publishing it in October. All I am waiting for is my graphic artist to come through. I am nearing the end of a two-year trek to finish my Master’s in February, and I am considering Literature Ph.D. programs as the next logical step in my profession as a writer. My business and grieving my mom means the next three months will be exciting, engaging, and heartbreaking. SAD will not get me down.
I have not done this in a while, so I pose the question to those reading this post right now. In this new normal world we live in, are you taking precautions like me to ensure your seasonal affective disorder is not worse this fall and winter months because of COVID-19 or any other factors?
Please leave you responses below, I would love to hear your take on COVID-19 and seasonal affective disorder.
Always Keep Fighting
James
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I am working hard to stay at an even keel. In addition to all the other thigs we will move to an apartment from our home and a whole new city close to my daughter and son-in-law. They will be able to help us as we continue to age. I am doing all the things I should do to keep it together but once in a while grief pops up. Like you I am not fighting it…just letting it wash over me and go on its way.
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That’s amazing to hear. Moving is a big deal so make sure that your mental health is one your mind until things are completely settled unless they are right now. Keep fighting, always.
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SAD affects me too and to be honest I’m more worried about it this year than I have ever been in years past. Partly because of COVID-19 and partly because I’m living in a new place surrounded by new things. I no longer have a place of my own or live with my daughter and that’s huge to me. I also don’t have my dog anymore and that has been hard as well. So much is different and I’m already starting to feel SAD effects because it’s getting darker earlier. I did get a new job so hopefully that will help me get through the season. I hope I can write more too. I do find it therapeutic.
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SAD can be cruel to us that suffer, it’s at times worse. I am sorry to hear about the changes and the hardships. Working helps, it does for me and I hope you can write more as well. It is therapeutic for me.
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I am concerned about SAD this year. Thank you for that gentle reminder of allowing it to take up space.
I have been building healthier boundaries in relationships this year which I hope results in better mental health overall. Accepting and appreciating the gifts of introspection, introversion, and winter’s quiet insulation, are my focus this year. I like to find purpose for painful things, especially for painful patterns that repeat so regularly. Choosing to accept SAD, as I might a friend who needs extra care, feels comforting.
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This an an amazing approach and I am glad that you are finding your way. Also for sharing it with my blog and the people that read it!
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