WFH With SAD
It’s been a while. Sorry about that.
Those of you who know me outside the internet know I begin my hibernation process as winter approaches.
I struggle with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). A lot of folks do—around 5% of the U.S. population will experience SAD this year, and 4 out of 5 of those are women.
Over the years, I’ve tried lots of things to combat the dreaded darkness that comes with winter: medications, tanning, vitamins, special light bulbs. One of the most helpful approaches, though, has been a more holistic mindset—one that honors and respects the seasons and the different energy they bring. The earth moves through phases, and as part of nature, I think it’s important to honor those shifts.
Here’s how I view the seasons and their general vibes:
Spring: Fresh growth, hope, newness
Summer: Thriving energy, outward connection, exploration
Autumn: Change and release
Winter: Withdrawal, introspection
It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to Summer’s energy. I love summer so much; for me, life feels more effortless and happy during that time.
As the days get shorter, darker, and colder, my mojo begins to… fade. I find myself losing sight of who I am. My interests dwindle, my zest for life dulls, and sometimes even the simplest tasks feel like a struggle. It’s a stark contrast to the vibrancy I experience in the warmer months.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about this—especially here, of all places. I’ve always wanted my blog to reflect strength, creativity, and encouragement. But I’m not sure I’ll have the willpower to summon a stereotypical “inspirational” blog post until, IDK, maybe Spring of 2026? So instead of ghosting you until then, I’m just going to be honest. Hopefully, that transparency and bravery can stand on their own as a creative, encouraging showcase of strength. If not… at least I’m being real.
I can’t promise I’m going to thrive this winter. But I’m going to do what I can to embrace this season, care for myself, and make any accommodations I can to be more comfortable and tended to during these dark, cold months.
This week, here are some changes I’ve made to my WFH setup to keep my spirits light.
I strung up some warm-white, incandescent holiday lights around my office. During the summer, my office gets lots of light, and the plants and I were both thriving. Now that the sun starts to set around 4, and the days are generally more overcast and gray, I noticed a huge shift in the lighting and my mood. I decided to invest $15 and a couple of hours to string up some lights all around my office. The results? Magical. Warm. Uplifting. It genuinely feels like I have set up a mystical ward to keep the darkness demons away. Plus, my computer camera no longer looks grainy on those 4 o’clock zoom calls.
Speaking of lights, have I told you about my monitor light? It’s the best. It shines down on my monitor, which is supposed to ease eye strain. It has 3 different warmth settings, 3 different brightnesses, and has a color-changing ambiance panel on top. If you haven’t tried something like this yet, I highly recommend it.
I swapped my office fan for an office space heater. Temperature comfort is a modern luxury. Don’t underestimate what a small desktop space heater can do for your spirits! It makes the transition from my warm, cozy bed so much easier when I can preheat my office while I’m prepping my coffee and getting ready for the day.
Last but not least, I dedicated 15 minutes to some light cleaning. I emptied my trash can, ran the vacuum, threw away a bunch of old sticky notes, and even did some digital cleanup, deleting old screenshots and stuff I didn’t need anymore. It was satisfying, and I felt like it gave me a fresh, clean slate to work from.
Look, none of this is necessary. But these little steps have made my quality of life so much better in the last 24 hours. That being said, treating Seasonal Affective Disorder isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. I encourage you to listen to your heart, mind, and body, and provide support for yourself in any way you see fit. Honor your needs. Make accommodations and small changes. Ask for help. If you want more resources about dealing with SAD, check out this page from the National Institute of Mental Health.
If you want some simple tips, here’s a list of things that help support me through these darker days. Maybe they’ll give you a little inspiration—and if not, they’ll at least serve as a reminder to me of the options I have:
Crockpot meals
Lunchtime walks
Space heaters
Fun drinks & special treats
Mood lighting
Small efforts
Rest
Winter sports
Cozy restaurants & bars
Fire pits
Stretching
And last but certainly not least: loved ones
If you struggle in the winter too, just know you’re not alone. Got any lifesaving tips of your own for making it through your least favorite season? Let me know. 🤗💕 We’re all in this together.
