It’s that time of year again.

I can feel myself shifting. The unwanted, unwelcomed change that starts in late Fall/early Winter. When I start to feel down. When I start to feel restless. When I start to feel trapped. When I start to feel bored, boring, gray.

The Doldrums.

I can feel it coming. I see the signs. I start wanting to change my hair, get a new tattoo, take a trip, move away. I start thinking of all the ways my life could be better if I had this or lived here or could do that.

And because I can see it coming, I know there are things I should do to help.

Get outside.
Ride the bike.
Listen to music.
Read.
Find a counselor.
Get off social media.
Stop watching as much TV.
Write.
Take time for myself.
Do something fun.
Change my routine.

But, man, it’s exhausting always having to try, isn’t it? It’s not fun to have to teach my brain to be okay. Why can’t I just be content? Why do I have to work so hard? Why do we have to do this every year?

Every. Year.

And here we are again.