Weather the weather

I moved To Chicago from Miami about three years ago.
My first winter, I bleated and moaned about how awful the weather was, and how ridiculous it is that people live here all year.
More power to them.
I was scared stiff.
I had never heard of long johns, or wool socks, or that 90% of your body's heat escapes through your head, or anything that little winter kids learn from their parents.

I knew nothing.

I bought a giant black down coat that went to the floor, covering even my ankles, and proceeded to wear jeans and a t-shirt underneath. NO layers.

They don't teach you about layers in Miami.

So the first winter passed and I learned a bit about layering and coats. I had horrible stomach problems all winter (pain, mostly). I couldn't sleep, I ate too much, I didn't want to see any people. I wandered about listlessly.

I hated life.

When spring came, I exploded in happiness. I ran through the flowers, I pranced like a reindeer.

This happened every year.

So, in my fourth winter I visited a shrink. Okay fine, therapist. I told her about my dire situation: every winter I feel like death on wheels, every summer I feel like life on wheels. Any advice, Doctor?

She diagnosed me with Seasonal Depression.

Awesome.

Also, she charged me 150 bucks.

But, she did help by suggesting I buy a winter happy light. If you've never heard of one of these, or seen one, they're spectacular. They are industrial-looking, pretty huge. They make a buzzing sound, and when you turn them on, it's like you're sitting on South Beach under the noon-day sun.

Needless to say, I can't use it while my roommate is sleeping. It blares light to the entire room, not to mention, the entire neighborhood.

Believe it or not, the winter light has actually helped my depression. I was a moody person in Miami, but never depressed. Winters though, brought me into a seclusion so deep I was ready to crawl under a very large rock, and pray to die. The cold, the isolation, the lack of sun (mostly) made my serotonin levels plummet, and my unhappiness RISE.

I'm not like an emo kid or anything, but it was very bad.

Now, though, things are looking up and up!

YAY! seasonal happy light!