I’m thinking about the February blahs. There’s a joke that comes with a question:
Q: What’s good about depression?
A: You always have your funeral planned in advance.
Sorry for having mentioned it. But this being Canada – and me being a Canadian who strongly promotes planning in all aspects of life – I fall back on dark humour as a means of survival.
Maybe it’s the weather and our geography, but Canadians, like Scandinavians, are known for our dour moods in the midst of winter. We’re quite unlike Americans in this respect. Their “can do” attitude translates up north to “won’t do.”
On the other hand, I suppose we haven’t got too much to gripe about as far as the weather is concerned in Canada this year. A lot of folks, particularly Ontarians, are asking, where are the snowdrifts and weeks-long, nose-numbing temperatures?
Still, the post New Year blahs seem to be bred in the bone.
Fortunately, there are ways of dealing with the situation. The good news is you don’t have to spend like a roughneck on layover to get your ya yas out and bring a little light to the darkness. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of ways to lift your mood at this time of year, and many of them involve getting out and getting active – which is always a good way to deal with despair.
Start by giving some thought to that quintessential Canadian pastime, skating. Most cities, towns and communities have public rinks you can use for free. In fact, many have central squares for zooming around and bringing a blush to your cheeks.
In Toronto, for example, the summertime fountain at Nathan Phillips Square becomes a popular free skating rink each winter, open seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., with rentals on-hand. If cold tushies aren’t your thing, check out indoor rinks in your area, too. Folks from my city should check out the Toronto Skating Guide or call the skating hotline at 416-338-RINK to find a rink nearest you and hours of operation.
Another terrific year-round activity is swimming. It’s fun for families – and it certainly offers a fun and invigorating slant to dating. In Toronto, check out your local indoor pool. Call (416) 338-7665 to find out more about pools around the city.
Go for discovery walks with your family or mate. Lots of free benefits here – exercise, plus nature, plus history. In Toronto, look into the Discovery Walks Program for great ways to spend a day (rather than a dollar) learning about Toronto. Get yourself a map – available at civic centres or off the web – to discover natural, cultural, and historical stuff that brings a fresh outlook to the place you call home.
Speaking of freshening your outlook, February is a great time to get caught up on local attractions that tourists might normally visit, except that there are few tourists in Canada at this time of year save for the hordes that visit the ski slopes.
In Toronto, think about wandering the local museums, and be sure to check out free admission days while you’re at it. It’s especially a lot of fun if you have little ones in your midst.
The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) and the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) are always good choices. Moreover, the ROM hosts monthly sleepovers for children, with varying themes like dinosaurs and Egypt. The Ontario Science Centre is great, too, especially with the addition of family-friendly workshops (check the schedule for dates). Also plenty to see at Toronto’s Historic Museums.
Don’t downplay the fun you can have at local libraries. Libraries throughout the greater Toronto area host lots of free, cool interactive events and workshops. Kids can join in arts & crafts and concerts, as well as storytelling and writing programs. Meanwhile, teens can enjoy open mic nights, leadership programs, crafts and discussions.
You may not be aware that the Toronto Zoo is open all year round. It means you can get yourself and the kids some hot cocoa and take in the snow leopards, Arctic wolves, elephants and more. Many of the animals at the zoo are actually more active in winter, so you can count on an interesting walk on the wild side.
Now, bring some imagination into your winter playground. Think about stuff you might not normally do. Visit a comedy club maybe. Go to the local improve. They offer entertaining ways to get away from the cold and bond over cheap laughs. Tickets are cheap, too, so grab your mate and give your bellies a work out.
At the same time, look into little, out-of-the-way restaurants where the food is great and the prices are appetizing for their economy.
Beyond that, fantasize a little. If you’re a romantic type, there’s no end to what you can come up with to warm up the romance. Dinner for two? A sexy sleepover?
Light the candles. Unwrap the chocolates. Uncork the wine. Of course, turn off the cell phones.
That’s sure to put some rose in those dour cheeks.
{ 3 comments }
Susan, so sorry for your financial woes. I’ve been there myself and am still struggling although there is a slight pinprick of light at the end of the tunnel. If you do have to go into bankruptcy, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, it can be a whole new beginning for you. Just be sure to get a reputable bankruptcy trustee — don’t worry, you won’t be treated like a deadbeat! Once you’ve discharged your bankruptcy, you can rebuild your credit slowly. It’s a good feeling knowing that you can make a new start. Good luck!
Susan, I hope you don’t end up going into bankruptcy. Good luck in dealing with your debt situation.
Hello, I must say that I love your writing. I’m desperately trying to get out of debt (job loss) and am facing bankruptcy – not a pretty, hopeful or wonderous undertaking, but you’re writing gives me a lift and a laugh. So thank you very much.
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