Ahhhh! Yes, You read that right. It’s PSL season and I hate it. I’m sure you know it’s PSL season; either because you are bombarded with all your social media friends posting about it or because you are one of the first in line when the season rolls around. Me? Well, I’m the one who puts the covers back over my head the morning PSL gets put back on the menu.
Do I like PSL?
Actually, I think they are quite disgusting, but please don’t stop reading because I said that. I promise we can still be friends even if you love PSL season. Heck, we can even be friends if that’s all you drink from now until New Year, just don’t ask me to partake. Truthfully, my dislike for PSL is not just because I don’t like the taste. My reasoning goes a little deeper than that. I don’t like what it reminds me of.
PSL reminds me that SAD is coming.
Okay, I should probably cool it with the acronyms for a moment and explain what I am talking about. Here is what these lovely acronyms stand for:
PSL= Pumpkin Spice Latte: an espresso drink with milk and “autumn like” flavors such as pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg and more.
SAD= Seasonal Affective Disorder: a mood disorder that is characterized by depression occurring the same time of the year.
Alright, so now that we have that all cleared up let me go into a little more detail. To me PSL and SAD have always seemed to go hand in hand. While autumn is most certainly a wonderful time of year, it has its drawbacks for people like me, who struggle with the all that comes with the season.
Autumn often means colder weather (at least in the Indiana/Kentucky area) and that means less activities to do outside (unless you like to bundle up). There also seems to be less sunshine and more “gloomy” days, which makes for great latte drinking weather, but doesn’t make for great days for people who struggle with SAD.
Autumn is bright and cheery, while the leaves are changing, but that doesn’t last for long before all the leaves are gone and the trees are bare. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the holidays in Autumn soon to turn Winter….sure, you can sing to me about it being the most wonderful time of year, but I won’t be convinced of it.
Sure, boots and sweaters are nice, but I’m truly a “be barefoot with some leggings and a t-shirt type of lady.” And sure, warm drinks on a chilly morning are wonderful, but I’d rather have iced coffee year round. Yes, soups sure do warm your soul, but after a while you want some other type of food right? If I am wrong it’s okay to tell me, I will just take your word for it and you can just keep on enjoying all the soups, PSL, and boots that you want.
Anyway, back to SAD, because really that’s what this article was supposed to be about this whole time.
Do you struggle with SAD? If so you are not alone. I know that may seem cliché to say, but it’s the truth, and I’ll be the first one to admit my struggles. Heck, I think I struggled for years before I realized that certain times of the year just really changed me emotionally and mentally. I would beat myself down in my head wondering what was wrong with me and why I was being the way I was.
I thought I was just being lazy and unmotivated because I became so drained and every daily task seems like such a chore. Something as simple as getting out of bed and brushing my hair can seem like running a marathon. Don’t even get me started on the chore of cooking three meals for my kids, because heck that felt like a dang Iron Man Race (that I clearly lost every single time). Some days no matter how much I tried (and still try) to fake it, I never made it to a consistent level of peace during the colder months of the year.
If I am being honest, I think I have tried just about everything to get out of the “slump” I get in during these months. I’ve tried light therapy, talk therapy, and let’s be real, the worst therapy of all: retail therapy.
Y’all I even tried “Autumn therapy”?!
What is “Autumn therapy” you ask? Well, it’s something that I made up and its something like this: It’s when you put on boots with a comfy sweater and drive to the coffee shop (I won’t name any names) and grab a PSL. This therapy most definitely didn’t work. IT STILL DIDN’T WORK!?….PSL did not magically make me feel better….weird huh? When it comes down to it, medication year round and talk therapy have been what have helped the most.
My last little tidbit on this subject is that if you struggle with SAD (or any other depression) please don’t keep putting the covers back over your head and letting moments of life pass you by. Talk to someone you love about it, seek professional help, and make time for you to do things that will truly make you feel better during those seasons of SAD. If a PSL and some therapy will make you feel more yourself, then most definitely go for it!
