How to cope when everything feels bleak

Photo by natary t on Unsplash

This weekend, the clocks go back, meaning that it’ll start to get dark around 4pm. A glance at social media might convince you that everyone embraces this time of year, with their pumpkins, and cinnamon spiced drinks, and new boots. But many of us find it really hard.

I am very much a summer person. I’ve got nothing against a nice new pair of tights and a cosy jumper, but it’s not something that I look forward to wearing. I look forward to being able to leave the house without a coat. I have all the symptoms of SAD (seasonal affective disorder), whereby darker days bring low mood, low motivation and a deep sense of existential dread. This year, it isn’t helped by the fact that those in charge of the country appear so concerned with bickering and backstabbing that they’re neglecting the jaw-dropping rates of child poverty here in Britain, the war raging in Europe, an…