It first happened about 5 years ago. And since it first started, it now creeps in every February and lasts until true spring comes with its generous amounts of sunshine and warmth. But until then . . .
Heaviness and an inner exhaustion.
A feeling of gloom and melancholy.
Tired, yet antsy and stir crazy at the same time.
It’s the time of year that I feel the winter blues sneaking in, due to the lack of sunlight, warmth, and vitamin D. I anxiously await the season to fully change so I can get outside and get what my body–and my spirit–are craving.
But until then, it’s freaking cold out there. The skies are gray, and I see no green leaves, grass, or blooms around me. Frankly, I kind of just want to cry.
Over the years, I’ve tried many things to relieve the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD):
- I’ve tried the happy lights.
- I’ve tried red light therapy at the gym, multiple times a week.
- Once I eve called in sick from work (I have to be practically dead to miss work!) and treated myself to an IV drip stuffed full of goodness, along with vitamin D injections.
- I laid out a yoga mat in the ray of sunshine, baring as much skin as the cold temps would permit, trying to soak up whatever I could, as if I were a plant.
None of this helped.
The worst year, it got so bad that I insisted that my health required a Mustang convertible so I could better catch as much sunshine as possible while simply driving around. This helped a little since I could crank up the heater while I drove around in the bitter, but sunny, cold!
Instead of a Mustang, I settled for an old PT Cruiser convertible that I bought at a great price from a friend’s tow yard (Thanks Sandee!). I dubbed it “the party car.” My kids were a little embarrassed to cruise around in the party car with me, but my dog didn’t mind it one bit!
But this year the winter blues are hitting me differently. I’m craving more than just the sun. I’m craving adventure!
Since joining the WWHS, I’m getting outside more thanks to the 2025 hiking challenge, which is helping me to embrace and accept this season of chill. Still, I’m eagerly awaiting the trails to dry and the snow to melt into the lakes and reservoirs. My discovery of the joy I find in backpacking is making me extra antsy!
Suggested Winter Reading List
This year I’m dying to get back on the trails, to get out of cell range, lugging my 35-pound pack on achy shoulders, sleeping on the hard, bumpy ground, and drinking cool water from lakes. So, while it’s too cold (and I’m too wimpy) to actually do this right now in Northern Utah, I’m going to live vicariously through the pages of stories of outdoorsy women doing just this very thing.
So, grab a cozy blanket, maybe a hot (spiked!) drink, and your Kindle, and check out some of these books!
- Trail Gimp: Self Discovery and Empowerment on the Appalachian Trail, By: April Weygand
- Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail , By Joan M. Griffin
- If I Live Until Morning: A True Story of Adventure, Tragedy and Transformation, By: Jean Muenchrath
- What We Owe to Ourselves: A 500-mile Hike on the Colorado Trail, By Nicole Antoinette
- Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of The Grand Canyon, By Melissa L. Sevigny
Next on my reading list..
- Mile 445: Hitched in Her Hiking Boots, By Claire Miller
- Bliss(ters): How I Walked from Mexico to Canada One Summer, By: Gail M. Francis
Here’s why you’d like these books and how they might satiate your own craving of sunny, mountainous adventures while we await the melting of snow.
Trail Gimp: Self Discovery and Empowerment on the Appalachian Trail
By: April Weygand
All I know about thru-hiking I learned from Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, so my knowledge is quite limited! In this piece, April takes you along on her incredible 2,197-mile journey on the Appalachian Trail, experiencing the support, inclusion, and generosity that often define a long trek like this. Along the way, she shares a few clever tricks she’s picked up, such as how to transport ice cream on the trail! Ultimately, you’ll discover that the Appalachian Trail is far more than just a hike; it’s a profound connection—a connection to the trail itself, the land, and the countless other hikers, past and future, who have traversed any part of it. A hiker may begin their journey alone, but they’ll quickly form friendships or trail families that will leave an enduring mark on their memories.
“I realize that there is a kindred spirit that connects hikers, especially thru-hikers of the Appalachian Trail. We all have a connection to the trail and are ambassadors of it. We are responsible for caring for it and the hikers traveling along.” – April Weygand
Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle the John Muir Trail
By Joan M. Griffin
This story reminds me of the friendships formed through shared interests, much like those fostered by the WWHS. It begins with Joan and two other women, all in their fifties, embarking on a 200-mile thru-hike of the John Muir Trail. The book recounts their experiences with high-elevation storms on exposed mountains, confronting personal fears like river crossings, learning patience—with themselves and one another—and growing in both physical and mental strength. Along the way, they also find camaraderie with other hikers, both male and female, and together they celebrate each other’s achievements. Joan’s writing beautifully captures the essence of the forest, vividly describing the lakes, rocks, and trail—I could almost see it myself!
“My pores seemed to absorb the effervescent beauty, like a sponge absorbing spilled Champagne. Any remaining anxiety dissolved into an expanding, foaming sense of beauty. I felt joyful, transfixed, and infused with contentment.” – Joan Griffin
If I Live Until Morning: A True Story of Adventure, Tragedy and Transformation
By: Jean Muenchrath KindleUnlimited
Jean’s story is an excellent follow-up to Force of Nature, beginning on the snow-covered John Muir Trail as she and her partner traverse it on skis. Despite a near-death experience, Jean’s journey doesn’t end with the JMT. She discovers a strength she never knew she had and overcomes significant challenges—many of which arose near the end of this trek. Yet, she refused to let these obstacles discourage her from pursuing future endeavors!
“Our own inner resources are our greatest gift. The mind is amazing. It influences every cell in our body, the moods and actions of those around us, and it has the ability to change ourselves and the world.” – Jean Muenchrath
What We Owe to Ourselves: A 500-mile Hike on the Colorado Trail
By Nicole Antoinette
“I didn’t realize just how much I truly missed this, having all of my items on my back, exerting myself for hours and hours until I can finally just sit and rest and eat delicious things, letting the sweat dry all over my skin. Simple, peaceful, free.” – Nicole Antoinette
From the very start of this book, I knew I liked Nicole. She’s authentic, relatable, and I think she’d fit in beautifully with the WWHS! Her ability to candidly talk about (sometimes embarrassing) bodily functions reminds me of someone I once met on a WWHS hike—a topic that, when approached with humor, immediately had the group feeling comfortable and connected.
Nicole has an impressive number of hikes under her belt (check out her other books!), so she writes with the confidence of an experienced hiker rather than a novice. Through her story, I gained insight into the trade-offs between comfort and pack weight, learning a little about the sacrifices hikers make for the sake of efficiency.
The book begins with an introduction to Nicole and her two trekking buddies, allowing readers to feel like we’re starting the adventure as friends rather than strangers. As she treks the 491 miles of the Colorado Trail, Nicole shares an honest and raw account of her thoughts, emotions, and the toll on her body—even the unavoidable bodily functions! She demonstrates how to identify and accept her feelings, turning challenges into manageable moments. Her reflections offer valuable lessons for any hiker, helping us recognize that we, too, can handle discomfort on the trail with grace and humor.
Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of The Grand Canyon
By Melissa L. Sevigny
This one isn’t technically about backpacking, but I’m including it because the Grand Canyon is on my calendar to experience by foot, and I’ve heard it’s an incredible backpacking destination! This book recounts the lesser-known adventures of botanists Elzada Clover and Lois Jotter in 1938, offering a unique glimpse into the Grand Canyon’s breathtaking geology and the resilience of its plant life in such an extreme environment. I have a feeling this story will inspire me to take in even the smallest details as I explore the trail myself, making me more observant and appreciative of the canyon’s natural wonders.
Looking for a book club event to join? Try one of our fun book club events.
What have you been reading or what do you want to read? If you’re prone to the winter blues, what are some of your remedies? I’d love to hear your book suggestions or winter blues remedies! Comment below.
If I catch you on the trail, walk alongside me and fill my ear with your own backpacking stories, especially if it’s a cold and wintry day!
