Seasonal Change in Chicago
By: 2SC Staff
Many Chicagoans love summer more than other seasons. After months of the grey, blistery snow and cold of winter, summer is the equivalent of being let out of prison.
No longer trapped inside with cabin fever you are able to walk out into the sunshine and enjoy all that Chicago has to offer.
- Lots of people outside!
- Bike paths
- Free outdoor concerts
- Street Fairs
- Outdoor cafes
- Lots more smiles!
You breathe a sigh of relief. “It’s finally here!”
The Chicago therapists here at 2nd Story Counseling note a profound shift during these months, as fewer people seek therapy and those that have been in counseling meet less frequently. It makes sense! Lives become bigger and more satisfying. Many worries slip away and people tend to feel better.
Grief comes in forms both big and small. In the grand scheme of things, the loss of summer surely does not qualify as a big loss. But for many it’s a loss nevertheless, affecting mood and begging the question – how am I going to cope with what’s next?
First of all, it’s important to note that virtually every Chicagoan gets down about the weather – so you’re clearly not alone. Your feelings are not only valid but universal! So take a deep breath, remind yourself that it’s going to be okay and know that there are millions of others who feel the same way.
This article outlines some concrete ways to cope with the end of summer. Pragmatic tools provide something to hold onto, serving as reminders that we have more power over our feelings and thoughts than we think – independent of outside circumstances, in this case the weather.
1. Mindfulness
One of the tried and true ways of coping with difficult feelings is through simple mindfulness – the definition of which is “bringing our total awareness into the moment – as in this moment, using all of the five senses.”
When so doing, you anchor yourself in the here-and-now. Right now it’s not winter so there’s no use pretending like it is!
The weather is still decent through a good part of Fall– which means that if you stay present you can enjoy the rest of the season – as oppose to dread that it’s ending.
Here is a very brief list of how to engage the senses in mindfulness.
- Warmth of the sun on your face
- Waves of Lake Michigan, sound of families in the park
- People Watching! Very diverse city with interesting people.
- Flavors of the season (ice cream, corn on the cob, farmers market
- Outdoor cooking or suntan lotion.
This is obviously a tiny list as it only provides a couple examples. But use it as a starting point and come up with a list that’s totally unique to you!
You can find further guidance on approaches to mediation here.
2. Appreciation
Chicago has a lot to offer – but some of it can be seen anytime of the year. In doing some of the following you’re not only doing interesting things–you’re relishing the remaining moments of summer.
You can look back in a few months and realize you really enjoyed it. You can also remind yourself in the middle of January that summer will once again arrive.
Some examples:
- Kayaking –
- Architecture Boat Tours –
- Walking Tours.
There are at least 1,000 different cool things to do. Chicago is an extraordinary city – take advantage!
3. Recognize Change is Good
Remind yourself that change is good. With respect to the weather, this clearly may not seem that way. But it’s actually true! People living in places like Palm Springs actually get excited when there are clouds in the sky! Keep in mind we’re not talking cloudy but mostly sunny. At first this may sound ridiculous– but it’s not. If every day is the same it gets monotonous. When things don’t vary it’s a yawner.
In addition, when every day is perfect it’s hard to appreciate it. When it’s nice in Chicago – we are truly grateful! As stated at the beginning of this article, those first warm days feel like heaven. It wouldn’t feel that good if the weather was always nice.
4. Break it Down
As summer winds down it can be downright scary to think of November through April (while some people consider April spring, let’s be honest. It’s still pretty cold). Those 4-5 months are a long time. And pondering that stretch of not-so-good weather can lend itself to difficult feelings.
But think of ways you can break this period into bite-sized pieces. Some examples that different people use:
- Holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas/Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve)
- Events (birthdays, anniversaries, Super Bowl)
- Sports (football, basketball, hockey, baseball)
- Travel – if you’re fortunate enough to get out of town, consider at least one long weekend in a warm place – especially February/March. It provides respite from nasty weather and provides a glimpse into what’s just on the horizon.
- The arts (Steppenwolf, Civic Opera, Looking Glass, The Goodman)
It’s hard to argue with the logic. It’s easier to deal with increments of 6 weeks instead of 5 months.
5. Examine the evidence
This is short and sweet. While you may find the end of summer sad and the thought of winter miserable, the fact is this: you’ve made it through many Chicago winters before and turned out okay. You can do it again!
Final Thoughts
Coping with the weather in Chicago is an issue for virtually everyone. It can change radically from one day to the next, and the climate itself is brutal. Super cold days and some unbearably hot ones.
But Chicago is an incredible city with so much to offer. Weather is part of the package, so we need to find ways of dealing with it. If you struggle with seasonal mood changes, such as SAD, be sure to read our post for some tips!
Tools such as the ones listed above are practical and they work. I hope you found this useful!
