How Sunshine Turned Me From a Zombie Into a Productive Human
The past several weeks—who are we kidding, months—have been taking a serious toll on me, both mentally and physically. As the dark and cold days dragged on, the demands of life and responsibilities didn’t let up. The mental load of supporting everything around me while also trying to process the daily news became more and more taxing. On top of that, the physical fatigue and lack of motivation grew so overwhelming that I started questioning if there was an underlying medical condition or deficiency at play (Hello, health anxiety). Just when I was certain I couldn’t make it another week in this misery, it happened. Here in the Midwest, we got exactly what we desperately needed: a weekend of sunshine and mild temperatures.
The transformation in my neighborhood this weekend felt like something straight out of a National Geographic special, with animals waking up from hibernation. Suddenly, people were awake, outdoors, walking leisurely, and smiling. They were greeting neighbors as they strolled by. It felt like we all woke up at once, and the seasonal slump had finally lifted.
As I sit here typing this at 3:30 on Sunday afternoon, I’m usually battling the familiar pangs of panic as the Sunday Scaries set in. Either I’ve spent too much time relaxing or having fun and haven’t gotten anything done, or I’ve been too busy working, leaving me exhausted and with no real time to rest before another hectic week begins. As I sat down at my desk today, I noticed something different. Even though I had an incredibly productive and busy weekend, instead of feeling drained, I feel full. On Saturday, I spent the day cleaning and tackling chores. Saturday afternoon, while my oldest was at riding lessons, I soaked in the sunshine from the car, snacking and finishing the book I started earlier this week. Family dinner that night was filled with giggles as my two girls were delightfully silly. I started Sunday morning with an early yoga class, followed by an hour of family basketball at the rec center, then an enjoyable lunch with plenty of laughter. This afternoon, I read 50 pages of a new book, took a long walk with the dog, finished up laundry from yesterday, and even baked banana bread (which is currently filling the house with the most delicious smell). And the most unbelievable part? The kids have been pleasant and kind to each other, sitting next to one another and playing happily.
Two weeks ago, if you’d told me my weekend would be this full, I would have cringed and felt an overwhelming sense of dread. But today, I’m a different person—a new version of myself with a fresh outlook, new goals, and so much energy and motivation. And everyone I’ve spoken to has said the same. The undeniable evidence here is that fresh air, sunshine, and activity have an incredibly powerful impact on our moods and energy levels.
If you, too, live in the Midwest—or anywhere that’s been dark and cold for the past several months—you might be feeling the same way. Realistically, we know it’s still early March, and we can’t truly relax into stable warm temperatures until mid to late May. There will be more cold days, cloudy skies, and possibly even snow between now and then. But we’ll also get more of these sunshine-filled days—hopefully some weekends or even full weeks. And each one of those days will lift our spirits. Life’s challenges and the weight of the world around us will still be there, but somehow, it all feels a little easier when we have something that feels good and valuable to look forward to—the sunshine that breaks through after months of dreary gray.
As we step into spring, it’s important to embrace these small, yet powerful shifts in energy. It’s a reminder that even in the toughest times, a little change in the weather can make all the difference. So, let’s take full advantage of these bright days and allow them to recharge us, even if only for a short while. With a bit more light and warmth, we can find the strength to face the challenges ahead with renewed hope and stamina.
-E
