Hibernation

It's that time of year again: Autumn. The time when Seattle's cloud cover rolls in and doesn't leave for six months. The time when the men grow facial hair and the women stop shaving their legs. The time when we all slow down, settle into comfortable couples, and hole up at home for the cold days ahead.

At this time of year, everyone's mood gets slightly darker, our love handles get a bit larger, and we sleep a lot more. Some people call it Seasonal Affective Disorder, but if it happens to everyone, is it a disorder? Or just being human?

Humans are, after all, just animals with skinny jeans and Lady Gaga ringtones. All the other animals slow down, take stock of their necessities, and maybe even hibernate their way through winter. Why shouldn't we?

I'm no Tom Cruise, and I don't begrudge treatment to those with serious depression issues. It is a real disorder. However, I think a lot of people expect themselves to be happy all the time, and think that if their life isn't like a beer commercial, there's something wrong with them.

But there just isn't.

I don't have the energy to go into a long rant about pop culture's fuel behind our unrealistic expectations of happiness (look at all those leaves!), nor will I go off about the pharmaceutical industry encouraging medication for non-problems so they can make money (isn't it cold outside?). But I will say this: It's Fall.  We're all anti-social and lazy. Accept it; it's normal. 

So go ahead, stay in and take that nap. It's what Mother Nature intended.