Sienna Bentley
In the cold, dark months of winter, it is difficult to stay motivated. I struggle to leave the warmth and comfort of my bed in these winter months and it is a challenge to inspire myself to do the things that usually bring me joy.
So many people find themselves to be deeply affected by SAD – also known as ‘winter depression’ – or a general lack of motivation around this time of year, but there are things you can do to kickstart your creativity once again.
I have asked other creatives to reveal their tried-and-tested ways of combatting the winter lows.
Get cosy
Everyone that I asked (including myself) indicated that leaning into the cosiness of winter is a great way to shield oneself from the biting wind and grey skies – both literally and emotionally. Perfect for the festive holiday period but also as we enter January and brace for those new-year blues, snuggling in and getting cosy is like warm food for the soul.
This includes things like hot baths, warm and soft lights (no turning on the big light!), burying yourself in 10 blankets, woolly socks and curling up with a good book.
Alternatively, get out the house
If you know me, you know that I’m not a walker (unless there’s a pub waiting for me at the end). But I do swear by a little stroll around the block first thing in the morning. This is beneficial all-year round, but especially in winter – it is crucial to get some daylight in your eyeballs to wake you up. I’m sure this has an impact on your circadian rhythm, too. Not to mention, the fresh air is good for you. Other creatives cited exercise as a way to combat the winter blues, as this, as everyone knows, releases endorphins.
On another level, if you have braced the outside in the morning, you’re more likely to leave the house later on in the day – it doesn’t seem as daunting if you’ve already done it. And sometimes, too much cosiness or hiding yourself away can lead to feelings of loneliness so getting out and about is equally as important as hibernating, too.
Get a special lamp
A couple of responses raved about special lights that are specifically designed to combat SAD. These lights emit a warm golden light that is supposed to mimic sun-rays, so when the sun is being hidden by the grey overcast – as it almost always is during winter, at least in the United Kingdom – you can still get that sunlight in your eyes. An example is a 10,000 LUX SAD lamp.
Get it all out
Another popular method to combat winter blues is journalling. Morning pages are a life-saver for multiple reasons – not only does this help to unlock your inner creative and help you work through creative blocks or unmotivated periods, but it declutters the brain ready for the day ahead. Keeping a diary or writing morning pages in a journal is also just a great catharsis. I make a concerted effort not to skip this part of my morning routine, especially in the darker months when I’m struggling to be creative.
Forgive yourself
I think one key thing to bear in mind is that it’s okay to feel down in the winter. Don’t beat yourself up if you’re feeling less productive than usual, and similarly don’t force yourself to be so. I often find that if I make myself work on something that I really don’t have the energy to do, I get a bit resentful towards the project and myself – and the work is never as good as it would be if I was feeling inspired. Forgive yourself; you’ll return to it as soon as you are able and feel that spark of inspiration again.
