Seasonal psychology?

It’s late summer and I’m exhausted...

Does anyone else feel like their mental state and attitude changes drastically with the seasons? Obviously, this would pertain more to people in temperate climates than those of you who dont really experience winter.

I’ve noticed over the past several years (about the same time period that we bought a house, started gardening and got chickens) that my perspective on a daily basis is radically different mid summer than mid winter. I feel like my mental state and the natural environment are in a cycle together.

It seems as the ground thaws in spring, I burst into action creating new garden beds, planting new trees and flowers, prepping things for the growing season. It’s exciting, refreshing, new and fun. It feels comparable to looking at a plant put out a bunch of fresh green growth quickly in spring.

As summer really sets in and peaks, I’m usually busy from the moment I get out of bed until I can’t keep my eyes open anymore and have to crash for the night. I have developed new things and new systems throughout spring and during summer I’m just trying to maintain everything and keep up with what I’ve got going on. It seems comparable to what trees experience during drought and summer heat, trying to maintain their new growth as best as possible. Sometimes myself and the plants just cant do it and some things (leaves, small branches, immature fruits... or some of my new projects that are low on my priority list) get sacrificed for the sake of keeping what’s already established alive and well. This can be chaotic and painful as a lot of the excitement has worn off and turned into a frenzy.

As fall approaches, things change dramatically. A lot of the maintenance I was doing throughout the summer is irrelevant, annuals die, perennials go dormant, days shorten, and I start to make preparations for what comes ahead. This can also be stressful if I forget that this is the time to let go of unsuccessful projects, new ideas that I didn’t have time to manifest, and hobbies that just require more maintenance than I have capacity for at the time. Trees stop growing and drop their leaves. Animals stop reproduction and start piling on the fat. All new growth stops and decay becomes the primary process. This season culminates with me spending the last couple weeks before snowfall trying put garden beds to sleep and get meat in the freezer.

When winter comes, there is almost always (for me) a bit of excitement and relief. The first few snows are beautiful. And knowing that I dont have to try to plant, weed, water, mulch or harvest anything for months is a very welcome change. The days are short. Outdoor chores are limited to moving snow and staying warm. It’s finally easier and more realistic to actually get a full nights sleep! My mind slows down, I put more energy into stretching and physical wellness. The noise, chaos, colors, smells and overall business of the growing season gets replaced with cold, still whiteness. No beautiful colors, too cold to smell (nostrils freeze together), ground is solid, and nothing grows. This is the time where everything gets back to its center. All weak or un-established growth dies. I feel a stillness that totally escapes me for most of the summer. It’s a cleansing and purification of sorts. I enjoy it for a bit and from that stillness, creativity is born. As winter gets old, my mind starts reeling with new plans, new ideas, new designs, drawings and writings. The whole cycle continues...

Looking at it this way, it seems quite reasonable and maybe even expected. Especially considering a large part of my life revolves around the surrounding natural environment. It’s easy to forget at the time though. Winters get boring and dull if you forget how busy summers are and how much you looked forward to slowing down. And summers get crazy and exhausting. Its easy to think I’m overdoing it and biting off more than I can chew until I remember that I’m essentially unable to make any physical progress whatsoever outside for 5 months or so. Do any of you feel a similar cycle with the seasons?

Also, what about those of you with near constant growing seasons? I imagine that you would naturally find a more relaxed balanced state throughout the year as opposed to a binge and purge sort of lifestyle. I guess while I’m at it, what about those of you in more extreme climates than myself? I would imagine people with a growing season that only lasts a couple months would be in even more of a binge and purge situation, especially considering the daylight issues as you go farther north.

Love to hear thoughts and opinions. Hopefully I’m not the only one that compares himself to trees!

Interesting timing on this post, Brody.

I've been feeling a bit burned out with the garden right now. It's mid August in Georgia, and I've noticed most people generally just ride out this month because the heat can be overwhelming.

I give myself a bit of lazy grace in August. The weeds grow, the garden just sort of goes into a holding state, and everyone around here just gets the "blah" feeling. Then, in mid to late September, when the weather cools a bit, things pick back up for a fall garden.

I do need to get my onions started though. We grow our onions and carrots over the winter for an early Spring harvest.

I also get the winter blues. I don't feel like I have the right to complain, though, given that Georgia winters are extremely mild compared to the vast majority of other American states. We don't get snow often, but the days can be damp and grey. The lack of sunshine wrecks havoc on my mood. So I make it a point to get some sun whenever we do have sunny days.

I feel God's seasons are not only for nature, but also for us. There is a rhythm to the seasons, and each has its beauty and challenges.

Yes, the heat and humidity of August drains me.  

Brody Ekberg wrote:Does anyone else feel like their mental state and attitude changes drastically with the seasons?

Yes, absolutely. It's normal, and mentally you know that -- except every year you don't see it coming except in your peripheral vision. The light changes, the colour changes, the humidity changes, the smell changes, and you change with it in a very physical and subconscious way. Hibernation impulse, thinning of the blood, who knows. But it's very real. We are creatures of our environment. Accept it, acknowledge it, work with it, and have a plan to do useful things in seasons other than summer. Seed catalogues help.

Yes to pretty much all of what has been posted here.   There are many here who probably have associations collectively are removed from TV/film/miniseries viewing, but we are in the group that watches nothing until after about Thanksgiving (USA) and then the dark nights of winter are the time that we try to 'catch up'.  In the meantime, family and co-workers throughout the summer can't understand why we are not 'bingeing' on weekends to get caught up on mini-series that will be out of date by the time winter arrives.

I will say that COVID added a new dimension of fatigue.....or was it the heat?.  Hard to separate out all of the factors, but this year in particular nothing seemed to either arrive or be initiated at the same time of year as those passed.  But now as fall is approaching, the days are getting shorter while still warm, yet the longer nights are now quite cool and enjoyable.  This is right on cue as the concerns about getting everything done before winter are starting to kick in---- will there be enough in the chest freezers if some scarcity arises, is there enough wood for the stove and will it be dry enough, does an increase in the chicken flock necessitate larger or more housing,.....that sort of thing.  So the beauty of crisp mornings are offset a bit by a nervous sort of energy regarding the approaching snows, yet more energy found within than in mid-summer to rise to the task.  As for mood, this really goes hand in hand.....severe heat brings out the worst in both my wife and me.

Hi, Nice post and good thoughts. There is a lot here.

All nature does run in cycles. Yet I do not run crazy and get exhausted in my growing season. I made a decision many years ago. after reading something in the bible, to take one day a week and rest. I learned later in life that it has been proven medically that your body recovers and restores on that day. I get more done in 6 days when I rest, instead of never stopping and burning out in mid summer. It seems counterproductive but actually isn't. On my rest day I sometimes receive insight into doing things quicker with less energy. Sometimes I get to thinking on a project I would like to do and I find I can write down everything for that project step by step and all tools and items needed. Even something simple as #10 screws or ten penny nails. Sometimes I might read a book for entertainment.

I also look for cycles within the season. Daily, weekly, monthly. and then make plans for a day week year.
I make a year plan with multiple lists for each season. What is essential, what do I need to do to get the essentials done. (Food, shelter, clothing, medical, morale.) When I say essential I mean just that.  Then list of essentials expanded into wants. (potatoes vs/ carrots beets and onions.) I have multiple essential lists for each season.  Sticking mainly to my plans, (knowing they change) allows me to do more with less time. I have learned to become efficient. Every season also allows me to look back and make changes for next year.

Sometimes I get out of cycle. Stuff happens. I always make sure the essentials happen.  I wanted to build an RMH to reduce propane. It didn't happen because of health issues. I still have to have ancillary heat so I turn to electric to be able to produce food.

I run my home, homestead, as a business. Learn the cycles, make the plans and cycle them.

Yes.  We usually travel North in the summer to cooler weather and a break from the farm, but Covid has made that difficult.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote:have a plan to do useful things in seasons other than summer. Seed catalogues help.

I feel so focused on being productive and doing useful things all summer long that in winter sometimes its nice to feel a little useless. Even something as simple as writing on a Saturday morning, or just taking a seat and relaxing for an hour before bed means a lot when I basically dont allow any time for it all summer as I’m running like a madman!

John Weiland wrote:Yes to pretty much all of what has been posted here.   There are many here who probably have associations collectively are removed from TV/film/miniseries viewing, but we are in the group that watches nothing until after about Thanksgiving (USA) and then the dark nights of winter are the time that we try to 'catch up'.  In the meantime, family and co-workers throughout the summer can't understand why we are not 'bingeing' on weekends to get caught up on mini-series that will be out of date by the time winter arrives.

I will say that COVID added a new dimension of fatigue.....or was it the heat?.  Hard to separate out all of the factors, but this year in particular nothing seemed to either arrive or be initiated at the same time of year as those passed.  But now as fall is approaching, the days are getting shorter while still warm, yet the longer nights are now quite cool and enjoyable.  This is right on cue as the concerns about getting everything done before winter are starting to kick in---- will there be enough in the chest freezers if some scarcity arises, is there enough wood for the stove and will it be dry enough, does an increase in the chicken flock necessitate larger or more housing,.....that sort of thing.  So the beauty of crisp mornings are offset a bit by a nervous sort of energy regarding the approaching snows, yet more energy found within than in mid-summer to rise to the task.  As for mood, this really goes hand in hand.....severe heat brings out the worst in both my wife and me.

I also basically watch no tv. My wife and I have been enjoying about a half hour comedy before bed some nights, but honestly I’d be fine without it and would probably rather read instead.

I have an issue with the summer heat and humidity where I just keep on trucking anyway and end up getting totally exhausted by afternoon. But, to some extent, I do enjoy it because in the back of my mind I know winter hurts and I want to cherish whatever warm breeze and sun on my skin that I can get while it’s available!

But yes, I agree. Intense summer heat and humidity make for rather short fuses in my wife and I as well. The relief and freshness of cool mornings do bring with it a nervousness about what lies ahead. And the fact that winter can set in in October or in December depending on the year really keeps me on my toes!

Arthur Angaran wrote:Hi, Nice post and good thoughts. There is a lot here.

All nature does run in cycles. Yet I do not run crazy and get exhausted in my growing season. I made a decision many years ago. after reading something in the bible, to take one day a week and rest. I learned later in life that it has been proven medically that your body recovers and restores on that day. I get more done in 6 days when I rest, instead of never stopping and burning out in mid summer. It seems counterproductive but actually isn't. On my rest day I sometimes receive insight into doing things quicker with less energy. Sometimes I get to thinking on a project I would like to do and I find I can write down everything for that project step by step and all tools and items needed. Even something simple as #10 screws or ten penny nails. Sometimes I might read a book for entertainment.

I also look for cycles within the season. Daily, weekly, monthly. and then make plans for a day week year.
I make a year plan with multiple lists for each season. What is essential, what do I need to do to get the essentials done. (Food, shelter, clothing, medical, morale.) When I say essential I mean just that.  Then list of essentials expanded into wants. (potatoes vs/ carrots beets and onions.) I have multiple essential lists for each season.  Sticking mainly to my plans, (knowing they change) allows me to do more with less time. I have learned to become efficient. Every season also allows me to look back and make changes for next year.

Sometimes I get out of cycle. Stuff happens. I always make sure the essentials happen.  I wanted to build an RMH to reduce propane. It didn't happen because of health issues. I still have to have ancillary heat so I turn to electric to be able to produce food.

I run my home, homestead, as a business. Learn the cycles, make the plans and cycle them.

I also tried resting every Saturday due to reading the Bible several years ago. As far as physical and mental well being goes, it definitely helped. But my issue with it was that Saturday is my only day to be genuine all day long, and not every Saturday, but once in a while. What I mean is, Monday through Friday, I play money games. After money games are done I frenzy around home compensating for the fact that I’ve been gone all day. Sundays usually consist of preparing for another weeks worth of money games... that leaves Saturday as the only day that I can wake up when my body is done sleeping, eat breakfast whenever the hell I want, wander around the gardens aimlessly for as long as I want, whimsically tackle spontaneous projects that pop up, take a nap, and just all around enjoy myself without obligations. At least that’s my goal on a Saturday if we’re at home. But so many projects take a lot longer than the 2 hours I can dedicate to them after work that I love being productive all day on Saturdays. I will happily start working in the yard and gardens Saturday morning and work until exhausted because I dont worry about the day, the time, money or other’s expectations. Thats not the case any other day unless I take time off work.

Beautifully written, Brody.

Until I went off-grid and started reacquainting myself with nature, seasons didn't really mean much to me. Changes in weather, the sun's path through the sky, the moon's cycle, etc. were just background to my unnatural existence. I was never prepared for any seasonal changes-- they caught me off-guard every time. My life was about avoiding weather, rather than co-existing with it.
The only thing that I didn't see in your post was any mention of the transition from one chore season to another. Spring and Fall means a shift in priorities for me, usually regarding firewood acquisition, and I almost always need at least a week to catch on that I need to switch gears. It's always accompanied by a welcomed sense of surprise and excitement that I can finally put down my saw or my shovel and pick up my shovel or my saw. Saw season starts here in about a month!

Michael Helmersson wrote:
The only thing that I didn't see in your post was any mention of the transition from one chore season to another. Spring and Fall means a shift in priorities for me, usually regarding firewood acquisition, and I almost always need at least a week to catch on that I need to switch gears. It's always accompanied by a welcomed sense of surprise and excitement that I can finally put down my saw or my shovel and pick up my shovel or my saw. Saw season starts here in about a month!

You caught me! We have propane heat... so the only seasonal change that entails for me is to prebuy before they hike prices up for heating season. I would love to heat with wood though, if I either

A) had enough time to cut firewood or
B) had some sort of a masonry heater or rocket mass heater. Hopefully we can do this in the near future assuming it is legal and the logistics of our house can work with one.

When heading into the darker and colder months, I find it helps to define a list of "bite size tasks." Nope, I don't have the energy of spring, moving mountains and planting forests and feeding the world. But I do have the energy to do small things and keep doing them, knowing that each one supports the next burst of spring. It may be as small as sorting out a bucket of screws, fixing a tool or two, or moving a mound of snow onto trees and perenials that will need the moisture. But these bite-sized tasks advance the project, and help keep my head in a positive state in the cold and dark.

Bump!

Glad this thread got bumped!

I am not a hot weather person so the blazing heat and drenching humidity of our summers make July and August a low productivity time for me, though my motivation is high and I can get things done in bursts.  September seems to be about the time when we start to get some sort of a break and if I were not in school, I would be pretty productive outside.  Late fall is nice.  I love the cold weather of winter.

However, there is a dark time for me which typically starts in about late January/early February and lasts until mid March.  The nights are still long, but we commonly have long, long periods of persistent cloud cover.  I have even seen years where it rains almost non-stop for six weeks!  Mind you, often these are just drizzles sometimes, but I still don’t see sun.  Perhaps I am getting Winter Blues?  I don’t know.  

Fortunately, spring is right around the corner and everything is wonderful again!!

Eric