View from My Window — A Mood with a View

I think we all have those days. Some mornings we feel capable of moving mountains. Other mornings, moving the laundry feels like an unreasonable expectation. The same person who was cheerful and accommodating yesterday is now irritated by someone breathing too enthusiastically nearby.

Being “in a mood” isn’t necessarily a character flaw. Our moods are influenced by what is happening around us, what we are carrying emotionally, and what is happening inside our bodies. Sleep, food, daylight, and our health all have a part to play.

Before we give ourselves a lecture about having a better attitude, perhaps a little investigation is in order.

Have I slept—or have I merely been in bed?

There is a difference, as many of us know all too well.

When sleep is in short supply, patience often goes missing along with it. Little problems become larger, and our sense of humour may take the day off entirely.

A quieter evening, a reasonably regular bedtime, and a cool, dark bedroom can help make room for better sleep. Perhaps the late-night news could carry on without our supervision. A familiar bedtime ritual—a little gentle stretching, quiet music, or a comforting aroma—can help us ease out of the day.

And some conversations really can wait until morning. Preferably after breakfast.

When did I last eat something that qualified as a meal?

Coffee and determination can get us through a surprising amount of work. They are, however, a rather poor lunch.

Going too long without eating can leave us hungry, tired and distinctly less charming. That might be a good reason to stop and feed ourselves.

Regular meals with protein, fibre and some healthy fat give us something more substantial to work with.

• Eggs and wholegrain toast.

• Oatmeal with nuts.

• Hummus and vegetables.

Nothing elaborate is required.

Before deciding that the entire human race has become annoying, lunch may be worth a try.

Has my get-up-and-go been gone for a while?

An occasional weary day is familiar territory. Feeling persistently exhausted, foggy or unusually low deserves a closer look. If your get-up-and-go has been missing for a while, give it a little attention rather than another pep talk. Nourishing meals, proper rest, and a kinder pace are good places to begin. And if you still don’t feel like yourself, a little help uncovering the reason may be more useful than simply pushing harder. Even the most determined among us cannot run indefinitely on willpower and tea.

Have I seen daylight today?

And no, the light inside the refrigerator doesn’t count.

As the days shorten, changes in daylight can affect our body clock, sleep, and mood. Some of us notice a mild winter droop; others experience a much more significant seasonal depression.

Try giving outdoor daylight a regular place in your morning. A short walk, a few minutes on the doorstep, or a wander around the garden can be a beginning. Even cloudy days offer daylight.

Keep a little movement, company and enjoyment in the calendar, too. If winter brings a persistent, pronounced change in how you feel, seek some support. You don’t have to grit your teeth until April.

Or have I simply had enough?

Sometimes the answer is sitting right in front of us. Too many demands. Too much worry. Too many people needing just one more little thing.

There may be nothing mysterious about our mood. We may need help, quiet, a good cry, or an afternoon without being responsible for everything.

A favourite aroma, a piece of music, a conversation with someone who understands, or permission to leave one task unfinished can offer a little breathing room. The world may manage perfectly well while we sit down for ten minutes. I am attempting to accept this.

Our moods don’t all have a simple explanation, and we cannot fix every sorrow with a sandwich and a walk. But we can learn to notice what helps, what drains us, and when we need more support.

Perhaps the next time we find ourselves “in a mood,” we could meet it with a little curiosity and a little less criticism. A meal, some rest, daylight, company—or a blessed bit of peace and quiet—may be a good place to begin.

We don’t have to be sunshine every day. But we can pay attention to our own changing weather, and offer others a little understanding when theirs turns cloudy too.