Some of you suggested that my melancholy could be due to SAD (seasonal affective disorder). I thought I'd heard of this but googled it just the same. It says that SAD is a mood disorder that is characterized by depression and occurs at the same time each year... usually Fall or Winter.
Apparently it's common... more so in areas where there is no sun.
But Texas has lots of sun!
However, I read that it could also be caused by the body producing less serotonin (for whatever reason) or possibly seasonal changes causing a drop in the production of melatonin.
Who knows the reason? - but the symptoms seem pretty obvious: oversleeping, no interest in activities, tiredness, easily agitated, social withdrawal...
Yes to all of the above!
Maybe the back pain and shingles added to the change of seasons upped my anxiety level and brought this on???
All I know is that I don't like it! It's not me!!
Give in to it - stay home and lay low for awhile? Or get more active, start some new projects (maybe a new quilt for someone? more cheeky chickens?)
My instinct says not to give in to it... although I want to. Almost called in and dropped my pottery classes. May still do that.
Thursday: Decided to make myself go to class... and also to go with the girls to lunch (which I hardly ever do - since I don't eat lunch just drink my thermos of hot tea). But I did all this and found that I DID feel a bit better for it.
However, my agitation was just below the surface as when I couldn't get the top off of something at the studio, I had the urge to throw it across the room... (didn't though).
All in all, pushing through it turned out to be a good call.
Put my glazed turtle vase into the kiln. Also working on some little sea turtles to add to bowls, etc.
So... life goes on. Thanks to all of you who commented. I hadn't thought of SAD - and whether it is or isn't, it did get me to do something about how I felt.
Hugs,
Rian