I hated winter in Canada so much that I numbed myself through it for eight years straight.
Even after all these years of living in Canada, I still dreaded being here every winter instead of being back home in Los Cabos, Mexico, where most winter days are 25 C and sunny; however, I’ve finally settled and started enjoying the winter in Canada for the first time in my life.
Here’s what changed this year.
I decided to adapt instead of partaking in my usual winter habits of staying indoors, using substances to numb myself, and binging on social media. This winter, I’m making an effort to get out as much as possible, even on dark and rainy days. I’m choosing to be sober and intentional with my habits, and I’m consuming good media like movies, books, and music.
This doesn’t fix another problem I’ve had: loneliness.
I’ve changed this this winter by calling and staying in touch with my family back home as much as possible. I used to get sad about them not reaching out to me; however, I think that it was me not reaching out to them that was keeping me depressed. It only takes a few minutes every week to talk with everyone I love and catch up with them.
I’ve also started making a bigger effort to see my friends here in Victoria. While they are scattered all around town and I used to have many excuses for not seeing them, I now call them often to see what they are doing and make plans, and I’ve even begun just showing up at their door when I know they’re at home.
Lastly, I’ve started making an effort to connect with people who are not my friends yet, but are part of my everyday life. This has led to many great new friendships, like Julia, a worker at the Lansdowne cafeteria who recently moved here from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and always cheers me up when I get my morning coffee. I try my best to cheer her up, too, every time I see her. Or Ray, also known as Knowledge the Wordsmith, a busker downtown who has some fantastic stories, poems, songs, and riddles he wants people to hear, yet he gets ignored by 99 percent of people who walk by.
One of the most significant changes I made this winter was choosing to be more active.
I started running or walking five kilometres every day; I recently got injured but I am determined to get back to it as soon as possible. Running and walking have been incredible for my mental health; even when it is cold, dark, and rainy, I never regret going out and moving my legs.
I’ve also been making a bigger effort to go out skateboarding—my passion—every opportunity I get. Skateboarding in the winter is hard due to the weather; however, when the conditions are right, the skatepark becomes a vibrant place where skateboarders make the most of the opportunity to get outside, socialize, and have fun.
Because running and skateboarding are both high-impact sports, I’ve picked up going to the gym again to work on my strength, mobility, and coordination.
I’ve found that people who go to the gym are always very positive, driven, and happy to help anyone on their journey of self-improvement if approached with kindness and respect.
So, if you struggle during the winter, like I’ve been for the last eight years, here’s what I recommend: don’t numb yourself, adapt to the weather as best as possible, and pick up habits that make you feel alive. Make an effort to stay connected with family and friends in town, and form connections with new people. Last but not least, stay active. Move every day, play sports, and work on your physical health however you can; remember that every step counts.
Don’t forget that seasons come and go, and you’re going to want to be feeling your best by the time spring comes around.