In the darkest of days

During this time of the year, as darkness sets in, many Icelanders experience seasonal depression disorder of some kind. I recently felt this myself and resorted to my usual coping mechanism: writing.

The result was a blog post where I discussed how simple it is for me to unwind when I am feeling anxious and stressed. I enjoy activities such as watching the sunset, listening to calming music and singing along, taking a soothing bath, lighting candles, meditating, practising yoga or swimming, jotting down my dreams, and making plans for the future so that I have something to anticipate.

Yet, I struggled to discover effective ways to boost my mood and uplift my spirits when feeling down and in dire need of laughter. Nonetheless, I managed to jot down the following options: spend time with positive individuals, attend a comedy show or watch comedy acts on YouTube, and enjoy funny TV shows or movies.

Although I started with a positive outlook, my view on the matter changed as I kept writing. I realized that trying to divert my thoughts and uplift my spirits might not be the answer. Over time, I came to comprehend that my sorrow was justified. It was only when I faced my emotions head-on that the real source of my unease became apparent.

By allowing ourselves to explore our feelings without resorting to numbing them with food, alcohol, or shopping, we can often uncover underlying reasons that may not be as terrible as we initially thought. As a result, the worry dissipates once the root cause is identified.

At times, you might find yourself feeling unhappy in a specific aspect of your life, prompting you to recognize the need for a change. Alternatively, you could be facing challenges in communication at work or in your relationships with friends and family. Regardless of the cause, it is completely acceptable to allow yourself to feel sadness temporarily as it can assist you in identifying the root of your concerns.