Getting Through The Heart Of The Winter Blahs

The title of this post is a prompt from Chronicbabe.com for their upcoming blog carnival. It felt especially poignant considering the rough winter we're experiencing in New York City! With storm after storm, inches of snow piling onto the streets, chilly winds, and icy, wet conditions, one could certainly say I'm starting to feel the "winter blahs." While most people feel worn down by this weather, there is a deeper component for someone living with Spondylitis. Ran, snow, hail, humidity...this is my kryptonite. I've joked that I'd be the world's best weather forecaster because, without fail, my body aches and burns as this weather approaches. 

                                                              

While I enjoy the beauty of the snow and the coziness of the winter season, I'm ready for it to be over. The groundhog did not, in fact, see his shadow on Groundhog's Day 2011 and so I'm hoping that really does mean an early spring! In the meantime, I'm trying to stay above the "blahs" in some important ways. For starters, I'm focusing on helping the people I love also get through the winter blahs. It makes me smile to do fun or unexpected things for the people in my life. John's 26th birthday was on Monday and I decided to continue an adorable tradition that has mom began many moons ago. She made him an annual birthday train cake! I spent most of Monday constructing my own version and I'd say it was a hit with both the birthday boy and his roommates. Here is a photo:

Another of my "anti-blah" tactics is trying to say yes more than I say no. Last year I was anything but spontaneous - I just couldn't be. My pain made me cautious and overly concerned about my energy level. I was more practical than I'd ever been when it came to plans and, while practicality isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's good to disregard it once in a while. Be it a meal with a friend or a weekend away, this year I'm vowing to take advantage of more opportunities that come my way whenever I'm able. I'm trying to go with the flow and just see where that takes me. An example of this was the weekend trip I took with John and 6 other couples to my parents' ski house in Vermont last weekend. Here's a sledding snapshot of yours truly:

It's okay to let go once in a while and push the envelope - pushing ourselves reminds us that we're still very much alive. There is almost no greater thrill than having a new and exhilarating experience. That sled? It's not really a sled at all. Our more sensible inner tubes deflated from the icy cold and, instead, we used a snowboard to zoom down the hill. It was probably going a little (or a lot) too fast and if I were being cautious, I might have passed on the experience. But I didn't. And guess what...

I had a total blast!  

Love, Maya