Reverse seasonal affective disorder

Regular blogging will now be interrupted for whining.

You know how a lot of people get depressed in the middle of winter when it’s cold and dark? I have the opposite problem. I get depressed every year around this time when I realize we have two more months of unbearable heat and humidity and misery. Ugh.

Fall is my favorite time of year, probably because it comes after months of torturous heat. I was much more suited to the cooler temperatures and shorter summers in northern Indiana, but my husband found a job in southern Indiana, and the heat will probably stick around until October here. I’m not happy about it.

I write this now, because I feel like I can’t be alone in this, despite the fact that people have disagreed with me my whole life. But here it is: I’d rather be cold than hot. I would absolutely 100% take sub-zero temperatures and snow and ice over heat and humidity. Don’t get me wrong, the cold season isn’t my favorite. I much prefer when the sun is warm, but there’s a slight chill in the air — when it’s cool enough for a sweater but warm enough that you don’t need a coat. But I’d still take the coldest day of the year over the hottest. I agree that it can be a downer when it’s freezing outside and it gets dark so early, but at least I’m cozy and comfortable inside. Our air conditioner is struggling to keep up in this heat wave, so when it gets above 95 degrees outside, even our house is insufferable.

In the winter I can bundle up in layers — shirts and sweaters and coats and scarves and mittens. When it’s hot, you can only undress so much before you risk being arrested. And when it’s this hot, you could walk around wearing nothing and still feel miserable.

I miss hearty comfort foods. I miss good food in general, because I’m sick of eating non-meals that don’t require an oven.

At night, even if it’s chilly inside, I can bundle up in a giant down comforter to keep warm and sleep soundly all night. When it’s hot, I don’t sleep well even when I kick off the covers and turn the fan on full blast.

So am I alone in this? Who’s with me? Anyone have a time share in Antarctica that I can buy for the summer months?

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16 thoughts on “Reverse seasonal affective disorder

  1. Amanda

    Thank you! I always say the same thing and people look at me like I should be committed. Just the other day I was on the Martha Stewart site looking for fall craft projects just to remind myself that there is hope on the other side of this heat wave. There’s nothing better than fall in Indiana–picking pumpkins, sipping cider, enjoying those crisp days when the sun is still just warm enough.

    You’re not alone. You are wise in your preference. Don’t worry, fall will be here and slipping into winter before you know it.

    1. Brittany

      I find myself looking up fall stuff as well just to give me that happy reminder that relief is on its way. Especially when LTD Commodities and Terrys Village has their harvest magazines available with all Fall/Halloween goodies :) And I would have to agree that there is no better feeling than taking that trip to the local patch and picking your own pumpkin!

  2. Erin

    I agree! People always think that I’m weird too, but I much prefer cooler weather to the heat of summer. While winter isn’t my favorite, I’d pick it over summer! I think that people who don’t understand need to have the home a/c that isn’t totally up to snuff and then they would understand.

  3. Michelle

    I don’t think you’re weird – In fact, in St. Louis, many people tell me they prefer the cold over the hot. I think that I am the weird one who prefers the hot over the cold!! Actually, I prefer either extreme – a hot, sunny day, or a zero degree, dry, snowy day! Just hate humidity in ANY temperature!! :) Though there is something to say for comfort food and a bowl of soup inside on a snowy day….

  4. Bobbi

    Love winter time, but here in Florida there isn’t much of that. Definitely take cool over hot any day!

  5. Mrs. Money

    I am right there with you. I HATE the humidity. It makes it unbearable! I feel like I’ve spent my whole summer inside because it’s been so nasty out. I will take the fall year-round.

  6. M

    Karen, I have enjoyed your journey on frugal-ness, on finding creative ways to live well on less. Seems like the blog in the last several months is taking a very different tone and becoming more of a personal diary. I really would love to see more posts on “living well on less.” Just a suggestion from a dedicated reader.

  7. Kacie

    The humidity is just plain gross. I don’t mind hot temps if the humidity is low, but this is getting ridiculous! I do like those crisp fall days. They seem so brief though. Feels like autumn lasts for like 3 weeks and then it’s winter and horrible for 5 more months.

  8. Ericka

    I am the same way. I would rather be cold than hot. I love fall and spring with it’s temps in the 70’s-mid 80’s with low humidity.

  9. Caitlin

    I agree, too! I just start to melt when the heat and humidity reach a certain point. I often feel physically sick and it freaks me out because I’m generally healthy! Even a/c gives me a headache. Plus, I feel like I can’t get nearly as much done and that drives me nuts. As I’ve gotten older I’m having more trouble sleeping when it’s hot out, too. Fall is my favorite season, too, and winter is better than this. If it makes you feel any better, I live in NH and it has still been stupidly hot here!

  10. Lisa @Granola Catholic

    I completely understand. It is soo hot here, forecast for the upcoming week is 110. I feel like I am trapped inside, more than the winter because we keep the curtains closed to keep out the sun. Going to the lake or a pool is not really an option because the water is even warm, like a bath. Being a New England girl Fall is my favorite season too. But here we don’t get much of one. Still can’t wait for our fall to come.

  11. Brittany

    Wow, I have never actually had the pleasure of hearing someone else put my exact words/feelings online. It’s wonderful to hear that I’m not completely insane like all my friends think I am. I am a Fall/Autumn nut! I love everything about it; the colors, the smells, the crisp chill air (not just in the morning but all day). Everything! Most people talk about how miserable winter is but how do they not think that summer is miserable?! who wants to walk around in 95-100 degree weather? Is it really that enjoyable? No. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the first month of summer but after that I’m done. I’m so ready for fall to get here I can’t stand it. Bring on the October chill and the falling leaves :) I’m ready

  12. Zoe

    I have felt this way my whole life; Autumn and Winter are my favourite seasons. Summer is extremely miserable; I call it ‘suffer’. I loathe hot weather. Cold weather is so cosy. When it is hot, there is little to no escape. Pools are nice, but you still get sunburnt. I am so fed up with the sun, I just can’t stand it anymore. Not to mention the sickening drought. I just want to sleep for 2 months.

  13. Rebecca

    See you are soooo not alone. I feel the same way, and I live in Arkansas so its like summer never ends. I was reading all the posts about people looking up fall stuff and i do the same thing. I have a couple of books I get out when I start wanting fall. I think I need a big ol’ book of autumn pictures. ALL FOR FALL!!

  14. Tina Ferrari

    I googled “reverse seasonal affective disorder” and found this. Yes, I think that is my problem too!
    I always preferred the heat and the summer but the past couple of years I find that the heat just brings me down. I’ve been living in Italy for a couple of years now, and it is much more humid than I am used to and all I want to do is sit and sulk! :-/
    I did enjoy a few days in the shade of an umbrella next to a swimming pool and can handle those little moments of “enjoyment” but living my daily life in this sweltering heat is another story. Basta!
    Winter can bring me down, but at least I can exercise to keep warm. In the summertime, I turn into a blob. Now that I’ve found this blog, I’ll go and read your other posts. :-) While I sit in a dark cool room. :)

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