Mid-Winter Blues (and "Jaws")

January Week 3, 2026

Sunday, 1/11/26

We have a ficus plant in our bathroom. It’s in a really pretty copper pot, and fits perfectly on our vanity. It’s been doing great there until just a couple of weeks ago when it began to shed leaves like crazy, all over the vanity, in the sinks, everywhere. We were concerned. Was this normal? Was it dying? I bought the plant about a year ago, and we’ve moved it around a few times, but this has never happened.

Then we started noticing the buds on each branch. The ficus is shedding so that it can grow new leaves, like a child’s tooth popping out when the adult tooth is ready. The new buds are so green, tiny and precious, but strong— a beautiful sight to see in cold, dormant January. So now there’s a life lesson unfolding in our bathroom, a visual reminder that sometimes we must let go of the old in order for new things to flourish.

Monday, 1/12/26

After that hopeful post yesterday, I began to sink into mid-January blues. This time of year is a real struggle for me. I cling to all my best mental and physical health habits— sleep; using the therapy light; exercising; getting enough water; taking a mid-day breath break; not over-scheduling myself— but even they are not enough to defeat the cold, windy bleakness of a New York January. It’s a long and hard season. It’s hard to get up in the mornings, and getting through the day is a constant push.

It also helps me a lot when I have something to look forward to, but since I can’t predict my mental or physical health during winter and flu season, I plan less, so then I get down about not having any fun plans. It’s a January Catch-22.

It makes me wonder whether things will be easier when I’m retired and can take as much time as I need to sleep, read and drink tea, not to mention be spontaneous; or if it’ll be harder because I won’t have a reason to get up in the mornings.

Tuesday, 1/13/26

Today I was teaching 4th grade band lessons and I let them choose a song from a big packet of 6-note songs. It really surprised me when every single group chose, “You Are My Sunshine.” They were delighted to see the song and many blurted out, “Oh, my mom sang that to me!” or, “I remember learning that in Kindergarten!” The best educational experiences connect deeply to kids’ roots, and those moments can surprise the teacher, too!

I also taught them their 7th note today (the “Ti” below “Do”) which allowed me to demonstrate a famous song. I cannot tell you how excited a 4th grader gets when he’s finally able to play “Jaws” on the trombone. Only your local elementary band teacher will ever know the joy…

Photo by Alena Jarrett on Unsplash

Wednesday, 1/14/26

Two pieces of content I’ve consumed lately have collided: the Pantsuit Politics episode with Elizabeth Oldfield, and the book KIN: THE FUTURE OF FAMILY by Sophie Lucido Johnson. Oldfield and Johnson both passionately advocate for living in community despite the hard edges of aligning with different humans. Both have made the choice to share living space with other couples and families, commune-style (Johnson also explores this in the context of polyamory).

While the idea of house sharing is too radical for me— I like my space and my smaller, nuclear family— I fully support the concept. It takes a village to raise us all, especially children, but adults, too. We all need more than one primary relationship to fulfill us. We all need outlets for the broader community. This is one reason why I’m grateful to live near both sets of our parents, my sister, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. We have a built-in village. But I’m not as connected to the broader community, and I can feel that lack of a church or volunteer group or institution (other than school). It needs addressing.

Thursday, 1/15/26

Things that are saving my life this week (metaphorically speaking):

1. My new short gray UGG boots that are perfect to slip on; I pack flats in my work bag for when I get to school.

2. The Office Ladies podcast (I got back into it after our family re-watched the series).

3. Hot showers. I am very lucky to have an excellent en suite bathroom shower with many shower heads and good water pressure.

4. My velvet pants and hoodie that are comfortable for me and great for snuggles with my daughter.

5. Pumpkin seeds! Such a good source of protein, and easy to toss into my yogurt.

Things that suck (in no particular order):

1. Midwinter congestion and mood dips.

2. The fan on my laptop overheating, unpredictably and often.

3. The news.

4. Gray skies.

5. My haircut being slightly off this month (a big deal when you have short hair) so I have to take extra time to maintain the style.

Some Good Actions, If You’re Able, Inspired by Today’s Post

• Buy and care for a new plant! There are so many benefits to houseplants.

• Ask a young musician to play you a simple song (and don’t cringe if it doesn’t sound great).

• Think about the people in your immediate community, and the people you’d like to bring in closer.

Stuff You Might Like To Know

I’m reading the book linked above, KIN; and also WHAT’S ON HER MIND: THE MENTAL WORKLOAD OF FAMILY LIFE by Allison Daminger. Both rather thoughtful books. I may have to break it up next week with a fun romance.

I’m watching St. Denis Medical season 2, Upload season 3, and Gilmore Girls season 4. (Like books, I prefer to be in the middle of several series and at least one re-watch for comfort.)

Hey, everyone: if you made it to the end, thank you. You’re one of the good ones, and I’d love to hear what you think. To help our community grow, please comment and share with others.

Keep hoping. Keep caring. Keep trying.