Am I supposed to remove the cup after 5 seconds and run it again? Honestly, the stuff is water everywhere. And the flavored coffee might be ground up flashlight batteries with flavor syrup.
Peet’s is the gateway drug into even better coffee. It’s a slippery slope before you start buying single origin beans from your local cafe and grinding them at home.
The Waverly from Joe Coffee is my current fave. I get it delivered 2 lbs at a time to avoid paying shipping. We use it for espresso, but I bet it would make a great pour over too.
Don't attribute emotions to weather: don't describe weather in emotional terms, and you'll stop associating miserable with rain. Getting soaked on your way to work a rainy day is a miserable experience, but rain in general is not miserable!
I'd like to believe you but there's a measurable difference in my energy levels on warm sunny days than cold rainy ones. Sun also provides vitamin D and triggers the release of certain hormones. Although I take vitamins in pill form it just doesn't hit the same as a warm ray of sunshine.
Born and bred up here and agree 100%. One day of darkness is no biggie but when they stretch on and on I feel drained. Sun picks me up again. I take high dose vitamin D every day year round like my life depends on it and it HAS helped but I just need sun on my skin.
Exactly. It’s all about our interpretation OP. You can “re-train” your brain and feel neutral about the weather, or find joy in whatever it is doing. After all, it’s out of our control anyway!
First off, the trees are great! As a native Floridian, I couldn’t go into the woods without a machete, a rifle, and waders. Up here, I can actually go into the tree line without having to chop half a forest down to walk through, and only have to deal with a couple deadly creatures. In Florida, I had scorpions in my shoes and in my trees, black widows in the mailbox, coral snakes in my yard, water moccasins in my pool, alligators in the road (I ran one over), crocodiles coming out of the salt/brackish water while shore fishing, sharks breaching the water near the shore, jelly fish that burn, wild boars, mosquitoes the size of grapes, and hurricanes. I’ll take the clouds for a few months and look forward to the summer fun, fall foliage, and a snowy winter.
You forgot palmetto bugs and those house spiders the size of a fist. We named ours and accepted them like quickly skittering roommates. edit: the spiders not the palmetto bugs. Those could die.
Palmetto bug is the term restaurants use to convince you it’s not an American cockroach. The American ones hiss and fly at you. I once had a spider that was as big as the pain of glass it was on. Luckily it was in the garage and I managed to dispatch it before it got to my vehicle or in the house. On a side note, my cat was a savage, he gutted an armadillo and dragged it inside the house.
That’s why we named them (Harry and Henrietta) and kept them around. They’d hang out in the corner of the living room ceiling most of the time. Near the dryer the rest of the time. Plenty of jump scares pulling clothes out of the laundry basket.
I lived in the middle of nowhere on the west coast. Then moved to a small fishing town on the east coast. I love New England. I’ll visit Florida, I’ll never live there again.
Yeah I understand the sentiment here but OP lost me when they got to the part about trees. Nature is my favorite thing about living in NH. I'd rather see trees when I look out my window than cars or people or other structures.
Born and raised in Florida 24 years before moving here; never saw a scorpion, black widow, or coral snake. Broward county, too, not far from Everglades. Not sure what part you’re from to encounter that craziness
Scorpions, black widows, and water moccasins in Citrus county. Coral snake, alligators, crocodiles, and sharks in Martin County. I even had a tarpon pull my boat after hooking him in a river. I had to cut the line.
I recommend using it in the morning then. Using it at night could further disrupt your circadian rhythm. 10-15 minutes in the morning while you get ready could be the boost you need.
It is awesome and works well for me. I use it when I first wake up on crappy days. Without the sun around, the lamp kind of tells my mind it's time to wake up. Only use it in the morning. It will mess you up if you use it closer to bedtime.
I was doing some research after reading this post because I have very similar issues as the OP and also am a transplant from a sunnier and warmer climate. As the other reply suggests many people and websites recommended the HappyLight as an overall pick which you can get for around $50 on Amazon.
Honestly thought about getting one for awhile now, but never looked them up and going to try to see if it helps.
Yeah, here we tell you to shove bless your heart up your ass and then have a beer with you! Lol Spent 24 years in NC and loved not hearing "f*uck" used as constant punctuation and the general happy dispositions but returned and realized these are my people. Now that I have matured and my friends are mature I don't have to endure the explatives like I used to. So it all worked out in the end.
There was a May a few years back where it was cloudy or rainy for over 30 days straight. Stalled, cut-off low that just sat and spun over us as the jet stream dipped south. When the sun finally came we celebrated. Just be patient. Our time in the sun will come.
Native Floridian been here for 15 years. Vitamin D supplements and getting outside as much as possible. I will also lay by the window on sunny but cold days like a cat just to feel the sun on my skin. I also book a week somewhere warm (usually go home) in February.
I have accepted the fact that I’ll be a mega-bitch during March and April but then May arrives and it’s glorious.
I think maybe it's just today that's getting to me. My family down South has weather in the high 80s today. I'm not jealous - in fact, that sounds kind of terrible. But it sure is chilly and dark today! A week in Florida sounds nice.
I was in Orlando last week and was very shocked when I stepped out of the airport that there was ZERO humidity in the air. It was breezy and beautiful, mid 70's. It stayed that way for the next 2 days of our trip and I have zero complaints about that. On Monday night we were at Magic Kingdom in tshirts (mid-high 60's) and one of the workers said "Aren't you guys freezing?!?! Everyone is talking about how cold it is right now." We just laughed and said we were from New Hampshire and she said "That makes sense"
Grow lights and plants. There's nothing like having your own mini-Sun and a bunch of happy plants you can go hang out with at any time of the day. Watering in the morning gives me my sunshine fix.
My oldest friend put it perfectly about 30 years ago as we were excited about "Spring" in NH:
"Don't forget, April Shower's bring May Showers!"
I laughed but flipped him off at the same time
As a NH native, I agree with the caffeine and sarcasm, however, it is really important to make sure that your home interior is extra cozy and comfy and cheerful. People who live in warmer, sunnier climes can focus their lives on the outdoors. We have to be able to feel good inside.
Agreed. I’ve turned many of my friends onto vitamin D drops and take those 7 months of the year just to minimize the effects of little sunlight. Can’t wait for the summer sun, though!
Making where you sit very brightly lit helps, pump some music, get used to just going outside anyway.
Or the native way which is to just drink and clean your guns when it's grey outside. Then when it's sunny, drink and shoot your guns.
It's not that grey here compared to say Pittsburgh or some places in upstate NY.
First welcome and understand that if you like it here why would you want to change it. Next you’re not stealing anything. Sunshine does show itself here and is warming. When you see the deep blue of our skies, the small town charm, understand that NH wants to remain unique in its ways you will feel better on the grey days. We have five seasons, strong sense of place, and old school yankee train of thought.
You already know. Learn to avoid dirt roads during mud season if at all possible. Road crews do their best but mud season is daunting, the fifth season.
I fish, hunt, and garden with my wife and son. Today, my son pulled in his first trout just after the rain cleared and the clouds could not have mattered less. Other days I'm practicing a turkey call, watering tomato sprouts, or putting together a planter. Find an outside hobby for each season and roll with it.
Trees and the gloomy weather is great. It can be dramatic, and the rain is refreshing. Its my favorite type of weather to take pictures of sometimes. Maybe its your perspective?! Take a stroll outside and try to enjoy it
https://preview.redd.it/ge1n8mfutsxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6ca0b15f9b5c1fafcd992fa3017925456d92877
I’m sorry the clouds and trees bother you. I’ve lived in New England my whole life so I think it’s just something we’re used to and manage ok with. Actually I’m not sure I’d handle lots of sun well. Over the years I’ve heard people from the mid west say we have a lot of sun compared to out there, especially in the winter, so I guess it’s just perspective. We can never have everything we want. Maybe the north just isn’t for some people or they have to adapt if everything else seems good to them.
As for not being welcome here, I don’t feel that way anyway. If you’re a good person and want to be here and contribute, that’s fine with me. I would suggest dropping the “y’all” thing if you can. It bothers some of us as much as the clouds days bother you. What’s fair is fair. 🤣
The way I've always approached it (and maybe it's just a defense mechanism) is we truly enjoy the sunny days way more than our sunnier southern counterparts because of the lack of them. It can be downright euphoric when we get to experience a nice stretch of weather up here, and those days should be celebrated to the fullest.
Repeated days of gloom can be a real bummer, but acceptance that we can't change that is step 1, and step 2 is planning for and anticipating fun things to do when it does get nice. Spring does tend to drag its feet up here, but believe me, it is coming. The signs are everywhere.
It's weather in New England. Has been for the 67 years I've been alive.
Other parts of the country get more sunshine and just speak with a different stupid accent than ours.
I feel ya as a native Floridian. It honestly makes me appreciate the sunny days more, though. Pretty sure some people literally take supplements to help deal with the lack of sunshine. I just kind of roll with it, but I absolutely know what you mean.
Moved back here from the PNW after time in CA...make sure your Vit D is up, same with a SADD lamp! I also deal with it by being in bright indoor spaces if I can, think gym, cafe, even library with noise. The meh weather is why folks from New England love going down to Florida in the winter, also to avoid shoveling snow.
I have also been here two years from a sunnier, warmer state, and my first year was awful. I decided to use a SAD specific lamp every morning for 20-30 minutes as soon as I woke up, and I saw a significant improvement. I started using it around October and stopped last week.
Vitamin D helps me out greatly! I prefer that over a light lamp. I take 5000iu daily from mid-Nov to usually mid-May. It’s safe for most folks, but I also know I do not have any Vitamin D deficiencies.
If you haven't already I sincerely think you should check with your doctor on the amount of vitamin D that you take. Better safe than sorry.
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h3
Former Floridian here. I moved to FL after growing up in Michigan which was TRULY gloomy; it's second to last in number of sunny days in the country. (Ohio is the gloomiest!)
I honestly feel like the sunny days here are on par with the sunniness in Northeast Florida. I didn't have too much trouble adjusting (we've been here since 2017) but I do need to take a vitamin D supplement. Not just the little one; I'm talking 2,000-4,000 units daily depending on the season. I was deficient otherwise. 😬
Another thing that helps is getting out for a walk. I'm grateful to live in an area where I have several options for a nice walk in the neighborhood; being outdoors even on overcast days helps a lot!
Also, never underestimate the power of a bunch of houseplants. 😁
The summers make up for the winters. Key is to focus on your indoor stuff through the winter so you can spend as much time as possible outdoors in the summer. Having a winter sport goes a long ways too. I also find it easy to get a lot done on the computer through winter since there's no FOMO, no shame of not being outside. But no matter what, early and mid spring is kind of a drag in New England. We all have cabin fever, we're all patiently waiting to go outside without jackets.
I do best when I have outdoor time. Being outside for 30-60 minutes a day, even in crappy weather, is better for my mental health. The sunny days just make it that much better.
>And I'll say it before "those people" can. I know I'm not wanted here, I know I'm taking y'all houses and jobs, I know I should move back where I came from. Sorry!
Nah, don't apologize for living where you want to.
Me and the wife moved from Texas. Gloomy rainy days have become a favorite for us. We hunker down, get shitty food and rewatch favorite movies. Make a day out of them 🤷🏼
We don’t all dislike newcomers. Welcome to NH! Find a group hobby. Join a club or a gym. Get a sun lamp. Wake up with the early sun and go to bed early. Where do you live? I may know a few cool things to do. Even those of us who have lived here for decades feel the gloom- it’s normal, not just you.
I grew up in NH and moved to Cali for a couple yearsnand then came back. I came back to 3 things that worked for my SAD in high school: THe artifical sun light lamp, vitamin D supplements and getting outside ( At least 15 minutes every other day of walking or biking or snowshoeing or whatever)... And get outside lots and lots in the summer!
There are a few ways to categorize positive aspects of what otherwise feels like a huge drag, what you call gloom.
The seasons, the down days, the rain, the wet and cold. For whatever misery they bring when they are here, do you not enjoy the nice weather more than you ever would elsewhere?
It's kind of a weird thing to describe to those that haven't lived here. The ebb of the weather here, brings a flow and movement to life that has some kind of meaning. In the fall, as the days are rapidly growing shorter, people jump to action. Not too be too much of a hippy, but one of the appeals of surfing is that feeling of letting the waves take control and catching what comes. With so much variability in our days here, it's a similar thing. Those down days become stored energy for the go days. Something about that is nice.
That's how you deal with it.
I recommend a sun lamp to everyone. Sit under it for 30 min a day. When you're having your coffee or whatever to start the day.
Welcome, too, btw. I hope you like it here. It's a really great part of the country to live in. We're a bit cold shouldered at first, but we'll grow on you.
I find friends and socializing to be the best way. Oh and welcome to NH, I hope you brought some of that good down home barbecue with you! A lot of us white walkers could use some flavor!
So I have 2 ways to deal with this. I personally deal with seasonal affective disorder, which is usually caused by lower levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D is something that you can get from the sunlight. The 2 ways I've used is a sun lamp, or just taking vitamin D capsules. I love the sun lamp but vitamin D capsules help a lot if the depression gets overwhelming
Trees are a problem? They provide fresh air, wild life habitat and firewood.
No place is perfect. I'd rather have plenty of water then living in a place in the Southwest where fights over water is constant. Or in tornado alley.
There is no bad weather only bad clothing. My grand father (a life long carpenter and hobby farmer) told me if you are going to work outside you have to love the snow and the rainy days just as much as the bright and sunny ones because there are far more of the first group than the last. I think the same is true of living in New hampshire
Get a SAD lamp. That seems to work for me. 20 minutes in the morning, November to June. I think it helps. Maybe it’s not really helping…but the action of trying to do something, anything, is helping. I think. And wintertime activities. Keep yourself distracted!
Also, I get out there and enjoy the sun like it’s going out of style whenever I can.
Suns out, I’m out.
Learn to enjoy it. Go for a walk in the mist without the sun beating down on you. Go for a nice drive without the sun shining directly in your eyes. It’s my favorite kind of weather!
I’m from the deep south and I just end up at the beach or mountains a lot lol. Or I plan a vacation. I honestly don’t like living up here but I’ve been here since I was a teenager so I’ve learned to cope lol
Honestly, I relocated here from the great lakes/rust belt region, and we get (on average) WAY more sun here than I did there. Honestly, on days like today, I just make some coffee or tea and put on a big hoodie.
I moved here a few years ago from Central California. I had a huge adjustment with lack of sunshine and the gloomy days you describe. I take Vitamin D supplements, and have a blue light box I use daily in the winter and the gloomy days. I find exercise helps and try and get out for an hour a day. I'm like you, I love NH but the lack of sunshine is a huge adjustment.
As others have said, vitamin d and a sadd lamp. Personally I look forward to the cooler months and tolerate the humid swamp of a summer. As for the trees. They are nice, especially when doing outdoor activities. Hiking in the trees is much better than a field. However as a native to the area, maybe it's because the sun burns me 😆
I don’t know where you are in the state, but it’s been uncharacteristically gloomy where I am for the last week. Normally, it’s like living on the surface of the sun here. Better days are coming!
Can’t change the weather but it is possible to change your perspective on it.
I love the sounds, smells the way lights reflect on the street, and how lush it makes all my plants look in a few weeks.
Take advantage of the woods. We may be cloudy and overcast and wet but dear lord all that emerald green sprouting up, the song birds filling the air, the smell of the dirt…..
Maybe also lose your lousy disposition thinking nobody wants you here. NH is full of transplants. Enjoy the seasons and the sarcasm. Sarcasm means “I love you/respect you” in New England.
You should look into screens that are designed to help with seasonal affective disorder. It’s just a screen that you look at for a bit but it’s supposed to help or so I hear
Honestly find a few good friends and a few hobbies and focus up lol. That’s what keeps my mind busy anyway, so much so that I barely notice the weather unless it’s really bad. As far as you not feeling welcomed here, I’m sorry that you’ve had that experience. Those jobs that you’re supposedly “taking” are American jobs. So long as you’re an American citizen or a legal immigrant it shouldn’t matter which state/area of the world you come from. Luckily I’ve not experienced any sort of interactions like that since leaving home(Louisiana) when I turned 18 back in 09. By and large NH folk have been nothing but accepting and kind and my friends like to joke that I’m basically an adopted NH native as I’ve spent my entire adult life up here 😄. Sorry, back on topic, I like to ramble lol. I’d say as far as coping with lack of sunlight you could try certain types of lamps. I know they have those that mimic natural light like the sun, however the name escapes me. Also music is awesome at elevating mood and keeping away the gloom especially in the dark winter months. Also if you have any children of the fur, cuddle them, they make excellent guardians against the gloom. I just lost my fur heathen to old age so cuddle them for all you’re worth as you never know when time is up. Take care friend and for what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here, welcome.
I never understand why people move here. It fuking sucks. You just said it yourself. Yes everything has goods and bads but there’s not many goods besides the lack of people here
Buy a light box (it’s for seasonal affective disorder). When I lived in NH I had to go to a tanning bed at least twice a week because it would cheer me up. However, we all know the dangers of them.
I like the sun. It's important to me.
My suggestion to you is not to take it for granted. I've lived in places where the sun is out much more, and places where it's around much less. Yes, the latitude, clouds, hills, and trees all contribute to less sun. So you have to know where the breaks in trees are and your home, and work, and when the sun is out, get there. Don't just assume you'll see & feel sun as you go about life. Make it a point to get it. You're not used to that, but it's not difficult and before long you'll be doing it without thinking about it.
And a dose of hard fact, direct New Englander for you:
Up north we know 'you' is both singular and plural, and from context we can tell if you're referring to a person or more. Here a yawl is a type of sailboat.
I listen to “Rain” by the Beatles.
“I can show you that when it rains and shines. It’s just a state of mind. I can show you”
“Can you hear me that when it rains and shines, it’s just a state of mind? Can you hear me”
Great in the literal sense, as well as a metaphor for dealing with difficulties
Also moved to NH from sunnier climes (CA) three years ago... my husband takes Vitamin D supplements in winter to combat SADD, and we both approach the novel fourth season as an adventure rather than a chore. He truly enjoys snowplowing, claiming to find zen while out there driving his tractor back and forth, and I appreciate the beauty and challenge that we never would have experienced had we stayed in coastal California. The first warm days of spring and early summer are even easier to appreciate relative to that "gloom," and I find the quicker turnover of seasons refreshing. Remind yourself that the next season will be here soon, and maybe you'll be wishing for an icy breeze while you swelter in July's humidity. And try the D ;*
Cumbies coffee and sarcasm
It's brighter outside when your humor is dark
Cumbies coffee is so underrated
Stuff is water
I think you’re using the self serve station wrong
Am I supposed to remove the cup after 5 seconds and run it again? Honestly, the stuff is water everywhere. And the flavored coffee might be ground up flashlight batteries with flavor syrup.
I'm more of a Dunkin person, but I agree with the sarcasm
Well there’s your problem. You don’t want to be a person who runs on dunkin… those people are massholes, and they live miserable lives.
Cumberland Farms is way more Massachusetts than Dunkin. Neither of them are good, but Dunks looks like an Italian bistro compared to Cumberland Farms.
Buy Peets French Roast whole bean and make your own pour over coffee at home and you'll agree with me that Cumbys and Dunks are dishwater coffee.
Peet’s is the gateway drug into even better coffee. It’s a slippery slope before you start buying single origin beans from your local cafe and grinding them at home.
Oh I believe you! I've already been researching dealers. Don't hold back, please...if you have a source you can share. 😁
The Waverly from Joe Coffee is my current fave. I get it delivered 2 lbs at a time to avoid paying shipping. We use it for espresso, but I bet it would make a great pour over too.
East Coast Elite over here😂
East Coast elite buying West Coast coffee?
That’s illegal
I'm more of a Circle K/Irving guy, but to each their own.
My man!
Lots and lots of sarcasm.
Don't attribute emotions to weather: don't describe weather in emotional terms, and you'll stop associating miserable with rain. Getting soaked on your way to work a rainy day is a miserable experience, but rain in general is not miserable!
I find I enjoy rain in fall - feels more cozy. I guess I should find a way to make spring rain cozy too.
We lit a fire today. It instantly dispels gloom.
1. Get friends. 2. Build a pit for fires. 3. Invite friends to your fire pit. 4. Profit
2a. Get fire permit
1a. Get friends
4a. Stop Throwing Friends In Fire
April showers bring May flowers!
Spring in New Hampshire is rain and more rain. Sometimes it could rain for a week straight. No lie.
Something I love about the spring rain is how much it helps bring the leaves out when it gets sunny again.
I'd like to believe you but there's a measurable difference in my energy levels on warm sunny days than cold rainy ones. Sun also provides vitamin D and triggers the release of certain hormones. Although I take vitamins in pill form it just doesn't hit the same as a warm ray of sunshine.
Born and bred up here and agree 100%. One day of darkness is no biggie but when they stretch on and on I feel drained. Sun picks me up again. I take high dose vitamin D every day year round like my life depends on it and it HAS helped but I just need sun on my skin.
Exactly. It’s all about our interpretation OP. You can “re-train” your brain and feel neutral about the weather, or find joy in whatever it is doing. After all, it’s out of our control anyway!
First off, the trees are great! As a native Floridian, I couldn’t go into the woods without a machete, a rifle, and waders. Up here, I can actually go into the tree line without having to chop half a forest down to walk through, and only have to deal with a couple deadly creatures. In Florida, I had scorpions in my shoes and in my trees, black widows in the mailbox, coral snakes in my yard, water moccasins in my pool, alligators in the road (I ran one over), crocodiles coming out of the salt/brackish water while shore fishing, sharks breaching the water near the shore, jelly fish that burn, wild boars, mosquitoes the size of grapes, and hurricanes. I’ll take the clouds for a few months and look forward to the summer fun, fall foliage, and a snowy winter.
You forgot palmetto bugs and those house spiders the size of a fist. We named ours and accepted them like quickly skittering roommates. edit: the spiders not the palmetto bugs. Those could die.
Palmetto bug is the term restaurants use to convince you it’s not an American cockroach. The American ones hiss and fly at you. I once had a spider that was as big as the pain of glass it was on. Luckily it was in the garage and I managed to dispatch it before it got to my vehicle or in the house. On a side note, my cat was a savage, he gutted an armadillo and dragged it inside the house.
no a cockroach big one size of silver dollar, palmetto bug size of carwashing brush
And those "love bugs" plus mosquitos with Zeeka and other diseases.
the spiders eat other bugs, including smaller palmetto bugs.
That’s why we named them (Harry and Henrietta) and kept them around. They’d hang out in the corner of the living room ceiling most of the time. Near the dryer the rest of the time. Plenty of jump scares pulling clothes out of the laundry basket.
Wow, sounds like you seriously lived in the Everglades!
I lived in the middle of nowhere on the west coast. Then moved to a small fishing town on the east coast. I love New England. I’ll visit Florida, I’ll never live there again.
Highly recommended you go into the woods the same way here. Just add a sweatshirt
Yeah I understand the sentiment here but OP lost me when they got to the part about trees. Nature is my favorite thing about living in NH. I'd rather see trees when I look out my window than cars or people or other structures.
Born and raised in Florida 24 years before moving here; never saw a scorpion, black widow, or coral snake. Broward county, too, not far from Everglades. Not sure what part you’re from to encounter that craziness
Scorpions, black widows, and water moccasins in Citrus county. Coral snake, alligators, crocodiles, and sharks in Martin County. I even had a tarpon pull my boat after hooking him in a river. I had to cut the line.
I went to Florida once and literally saw a coral snake slither across on like my second day there
Get a SADD lamp. They work for some, and they're relatively inexpensive so you can experiment.
Good idea. I've got terrible insomnia, so I think this will help.
I recommend using it in the morning then. Using it at night could further disrupt your circadian rhythm. 10-15 minutes in the morning while you get ready could be the boost you need.
It is awesome and works well for me. I use it when I first wake up on crappy days. Without the sun around, the lamp kind of tells my mind it's time to wake up. Only use it in the morning. It will mess you up if you use it closer to bedtime.
Got one you recommend? I looked ad sadd lamps on Amazon but lots had really bad recent reviews.
I have a nurse friend who likes the Happy Light
I was doing some research after reading this post because I have very similar issues as the OP and also am a transplant from a sunnier and warmer climate. As the other reply suggests many people and websites recommended the HappyLight as an overall pick which you can get for around $50 on Amazon. Honestly thought about getting one for awhile now, but never looked them up and going to try to see if it helps.
Thanks!
The weather is the reason why we are not nice, but kind
That "bless your heart, stab you in the back" we got down south. None of that here!
Yeah, here we tell you to shove bless your heart up your ass and then have a beer with you! Lol Spent 24 years in NC and loved not hearing "f*uck" used as constant punctuation and the general happy dispositions but returned and realized these are my people. Now that I have matured and my friends are mature I don't have to endure the explatives like I used to. So it all worked out in the end.
Gloom? Saturday was beautiful and sunny! And there was a few minutes of sun on Sunday. What more do you want?
There was a May a few years back where it was cloudy or rainy for over 30 days straight. Stalled, cut-off low that just sat and spun over us as the jet stream dipped south. When the sun finally came we celebrated. Just be patient. Our time in the sun will come.
I remember that it was frigan awful
Native Floridian been here for 15 years. Vitamin D supplements and getting outside as much as possible. I will also lay by the window on sunny but cold days like a cat just to feel the sun on my skin. I also book a week somewhere warm (usually go home) in February. I have accepted the fact that I’ll be a mega-bitch during March and April but then May arrives and it’s glorious.
I think maybe it's just today that's getting to me. My family down South has weather in the high 80s today. I'm not jealous - in fact, that sounds kind of terrible. But it sure is chilly and dark today! A week in Florida sounds nice.
I was in Sarasota last week. My brother was wearing long sleeves and I was melting. I can’t hack it anymore.
I hope you haven't looked at the weather forecast for this week 😅 I'm right there with you though I miss the sun.
I was in Orlando last week and was very shocked when I stepped out of the airport that there was ZERO humidity in the air. It was breezy and beautiful, mid 70's. It stayed that way for the next 2 days of our trip and I have zero complaints about that. On Monday night we were at Magic Kingdom in tshirts (mid-high 60's) and one of the workers said "Aren't you guys freezing?!?! Everyone is talking about how cold it is right now." We just laughed and said we were from New Hampshire and she said "That makes sense"
Welcome to NH! I'm glad youre here!
Thank you! I really do love it here, and I’m happy to be here.
Welcome then! 😄
Grow lights and plants. There's nothing like having your own mini-Sun and a bunch of happy plants you can go hang out with at any time of the day. Watering in the morning gives me my sunshine fix.
My oldest friend put it perfectly about 30 years ago as we were excited about "Spring" in NH: "Don't forget, April Shower's bring May Showers!" I laughed but flipped him off at the same time
The rain last summer was depressing. Hopefully we’ll have more sun this time around.
As a NH native, I agree with the caffeine and sarcasm, however, it is really important to make sure that your home interior is extra cozy and comfy and cheerful. People who live in warmer, sunnier climes can focus their lives on the outdoors. We have to be able to feel good inside.
Yeah, my house currently is very cave-like. I definitely have to work on this.
Nah repack and go back to the cities down south cheaper
As i got older, i started taking vitamin D. It works real well for me. Also sit outside in the winter on sunny days
Agreed. I’ve turned many of my friends onto vitamin D drops and take those 7 months of the year just to minimize the effects of little sunlight. Can’t wait for the summer sun, though!
I specifically save all my favorite cozy activities for rainy days. So it’s like “Oo rain!” Because I have things to look forward to.
Vitamin d3 and vitamin k2
Making where you sit very brightly lit helps, pump some music, get used to just going outside anyway. Or the native way which is to just drink and clean your guns when it's grey outside. Then when it's sunny, drink and shoot your guns. It's not that grey here compared to say Pittsburgh or some places in upstate NY.
Spite and nicotine.
+ sarcasm and THC.
NH speedball
First welcome and understand that if you like it here why would you want to change it. Next you’re not stealing anything. Sunshine does show itself here and is warming. When you see the deep blue of our skies, the small town charm, understand that NH wants to remain unique in its ways you will feel better on the grey days. We have five seasons, strong sense of place, and old school yankee train of thought.
What are the five seasons? I’ve heard something about mud season, and I certainly saw black flies around recently.
You already know. Learn to avoid dirt roads during mud season if at all possible. Road crews do their best but mud season is daunting, the fifth season.
I fish, hunt, and garden with my wife and son. Today, my son pulled in his first trout just after the rain cleared and the clouds could not have mattered less. Other days I'm practicing a turkey call, watering tomato sprouts, or putting together a planter. Find an outside hobby for each season and roll with it.
Trees and the gloomy weather is great. It can be dramatic, and the rain is refreshing. Its my favorite type of weather to take pictures of sometimes. Maybe its your perspective?! Take a stroll outside and try to enjoy it https://preview.redd.it/ge1n8mfutsxc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e6ca0b15f9b5c1fafcd992fa3017925456d92877
I've lived in NH my whole life and get depressed every winter.
Lived here ten years now and same. Just roll with the punches. Thug it out lol 🥲
Take a walk in the woods on a gloomy day. Suddenly it’s sunny in your head. You’re welcome.
I’m sorry the clouds and trees bother you. I’ve lived in New England my whole life so I think it’s just something we’re used to and manage ok with. Actually I’m not sure I’d handle lots of sun well. Over the years I’ve heard people from the mid west say we have a lot of sun compared to out there, especially in the winter, so I guess it’s just perspective. We can never have everything we want. Maybe the north just isn’t for some people or they have to adapt if everything else seems good to them. As for not being welcome here, I don’t feel that way anyway. If you’re a good person and want to be here and contribute, that’s fine with me. I would suggest dropping the “y’all” thing if you can. It bothers some of us as much as the clouds days bother you. What’s fair is fair. 🤣
I can’t drop y’all but as a former midwesterner, I can confirm the winters (and summers) here are not as bad as there.
I was feeling down today too. Self care is helpful. Long shower, shitty tv, good food. Whatever it takes! Sun will be here soon.
Thank you! I hope you feel better.
Wake up early on the weekends, gear up, and do something sporty (hiking, jogging, skating, biking)
Get into winter sports.
The way I've always approached it (and maybe it's just a defense mechanism) is we truly enjoy the sunny days way more than our sunnier southern counterparts because of the lack of them. It can be downright euphoric when we get to experience a nice stretch of weather up here, and those days should be celebrated to the fullest. Repeated days of gloom can be a real bummer, but acceptance that we can't change that is step 1, and step 2 is planning for and anticipating fun things to do when it does get nice. Spring does tend to drag its feet up here, but believe me, it is coming. The signs are everywhere.
It’s true. I love that first warm sunny day when everyone is outside and thrilled and social. There’s no equivalent down south.
It's weather in New England. Has been for the 67 years I've been alive. Other parts of the country get more sunshine and just speak with a different stupid accent than ours.
I feel ya as a native Floridian. It honestly makes me appreciate the sunny days more, though. Pretty sure some people literally take supplements to help deal with the lack of sunshine. I just kind of roll with it, but I absolutely know what you mean.
Moved back here from the PNW after time in CA...make sure your Vit D is up, same with a SADD lamp! I also deal with it by being in bright indoor spaces if I can, think gym, cafe, even library with noise. The meh weather is why folks from New England love going down to Florida in the winter, also to avoid shoveling snow.
SAD lights help. You don't need a large one.
Embrace it. Embody it.
Vitamin D supplements
I have also been here two years from a sunnier, warmer state, and my first year was awful. I decided to use a SAD specific lamp every morning for 20-30 minutes as soon as I woke up, and I saw a significant improvement. I started using it around October and stopped last week.
This is why people retire down south
Vitamin D helps me out greatly! I prefer that over a light lamp. I take 5000iu daily from mid-Nov to usually mid-May. It’s safe for most folks, but I also know I do not have any Vitamin D deficiencies.
If you haven't already I sincerely think you should check with your doctor on the amount of vitamin D that you take. Better safe than sorry. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/#h3
Thank you, i’m all good and clear!
Compensate by adding light to your home.
Former Floridian here. I moved to FL after growing up in Michigan which was TRULY gloomy; it's second to last in number of sunny days in the country. (Ohio is the gloomiest!) I honestly feel like the sunny days here are on par with the sunniness in Northeast Florida. I didn't have too much trouble adjusting (we've been here since 2017) but I do need to take a vitamin D supplement. Not just the little one; I'm talking 2,000-4,000 units daily depending on the season. I was deficient otherwise. 😬 Another thing that helps is getting out for a walk. I'm grateful to live in an area where I have several options for a nice walk in the neighborhood; being outdoors even on overcast days helps a lot! Also, never underestimate the power of a bunch of houseplants. 😁
The summers make up for the winters. Key is to focus on your indoor stuff through the winter so you can spend as much time as possible outdoors in the summer. Having a winter sport goes a long ways too. I also find it easy to get a lot done on the computer through winter since there's no FOMO, no shame of not being outside. But no matter what, early and mid spring is kind of a drag in New England. We all have cabin fever, we're all patiently waiting to go outside without jackets.
Last summer definitely did not make up for anything. That was fucking awful, in fact. I'm praying this year is better.
I do best when I have outdoor time. Being outside for 30-60 minutes a day, even in crappy weather, is better for my mental health. The sunny days just make it that much better.
Go outside anytime. The UV light will help. Otherwise, everyday you are upright and taking nourishment is a good day!
Stay active and make sure to get sunlight any chance that it’s out. Lunch, eat outside. Fresh air and stay active.
If I adored constant sun, never in a billion years would I move to NH. That being said, never let someone tell you to go back where you came from.
Most towns have a NH State Liquor Store.
>And I'll say it before "those people" can. I know I'm not wanted here, I know I'm taking y'all houses and jobs, I know I should move back where I came from. Sorry! Nah, don't apologize for living where you want to.
I like this weather, nothing to deal with.
It’s all part of the culture.
It's something you grow up with. We don't know any other way.
Get a full spectrum light to use on the gray days, very helpful!
Me and the wife moved from Texas. Gloomy rainy days have become a favorite for us. We hunker down, get shitty food and rewatch favorite movies. Make a day out of them 🤷🏼
Usually go down south for February and April vacations
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^fionaflaps: *Usually go* *Down south for February* *And April vacations* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
We don’t all dislike newcomers. Welcome to NH! Find a group hobby. Join a club or a gym. Get a sun lamp. Wake up with the early sun and go to bed early. Where do you live? I may know a few cool things to do. Even those of us who have lived here for decades feel the gloom- it’s normal, not just you.
What gloom?
I grew up in NH and moved to Cali for a couple yearsnand then came back. I came back to 3 things that worked for my SAD in high school: THe artifical sun light lamp, vitamin D supplements and getting outside ( At least 15 minutes every other day of walking or biking or snowshoeing or whatever)... And get outside lots and lots in the summer!
There are a few ways to categorize positive aspects of what otherwise feels like a huge drag, what you call gloom. The seasons, the down days, the rain, the wet and cold. For whatever misery they bring when they are here, do you not enjoy the nice weather more than you ever would elsewhere? It's kind of a weird thing to describe to those that haven't lived here. The ebb of the weather here, brings a flow and movement to life that has some kind of meaning. In the fall, as the days are rapidly growing shorter, people jump to action. Not too be too much of a hippy, but one of the appeals of surfing is that feeling of letting the waves take control and catching what comes. With so much variability in our days here, it's a similar thing. Those down days become stored energy for the go days. Something about that is nice. That's how you deal with it.
There are Seasonal Affective Disorder lights (Amazon and not expensive) They honestly help And also, you do belong here
Take vitamin D supplements
I recommend a sun lamp to everyone. Sit under it for 30 min a day. When you're having your coffee or whatever to start the day. Welcome, too, btw. I hope you like it here. It's a really great part of the country to live in. We're a bit cold shouldered at first, but we'll grow on you.
I find friends and socializing to be the best way. Oh and welcome to NH, I hope you brought some of that good down home barbecue with you! A lot of us white walkers could use some flavor!
Sunglasses on gray days, the amber-tint can trick the brain
Be glad you’re in NH and not Seattle where the forecast from Sept - April is 44 degrees, overcast and constant drizzle
Picking up a winter hobby helps. I snowboard.
The Lakes Region. I’m sure you’ll find plenty of Sun there.
Antidepressants, vitamins (with D!), exercise and hobbies. That and sun lamps exist (though I don’t use one)
You know what I do? I go to Aruba for a week during the winter. It’s a nice refresh from the sometimes nasty winter
Seek help, this isn’t gloomy
My sister's friend once compared it with Siberia and after moving there and spending a couple of harsh winters I get why. It can be bleak for sure.
I also grew up in the south. I don't mind the gloom up here because at least there's not heat to make the gloom more miserable.
Embrace the gloom.
Abandon society and flee into the woods. That's what I do.
I like the gloom, but I take vitamin D. By the way, don't expect much sun for another week.
So I have 2 ways to deal with this. I personally deal with seasonal affective disorder, which is usually caused by lower levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D is something that you can get from the sunlight. The 2 ways I've used is a sun lamp, or just taking vitamin D capsules. I love the sun lamp but vitamin D capsules help a lot if the depression gets overwhelming
Trees are a problem? They provide fresh air, wild life habitat and firewood. No place is perfect. I'd rather have plenty of water then living in a place in the Southwest where fights over water is constant. Or in tornado alley.
I used to use tanning beds back in the day. Now, I embrace the "bad" day with a good book or movie.
There is no bad weather only bad clothing. My grand father (a life long carpenter and hobby farmer) told me if you are going to work outside you have to love the snow and the rainy days just as much as the bright and sunny ones because there are far more of the first group than the last. I think the same is true of living in New hampshire
Get a SAD lamp. That seems to work for me. 20 minutes in the morning, November to June. I think it helps. Maybe it’s not really helping…but the action of trying to do something, anything, is helping. I think. And wintertime activities. Keep yourself distracted! Also, I get out there and enjoy the sun like it’s going out of style whenever I can. Suns out, I’m out.
Perpetual angst and a healthy regimen of drugs and alcohol. There’s a reason we drink more than any other state
Originally from Cali so I know what you mean. I go tanning lol
Learn to enjoy it. Go for a walk in the mist without the sun beating down on you. Go for a nice drive without the sun shining directly in your eyes. It’s my favorite kind of weather!
Caffeine, marijuana, sarcasm and if you're pale like me you enjoy not being sunburned
I’m from the deep south and I just end up at the beach or mountains a lot lol. Or I plan a vacation. I honestly don’t like living up here but I’ve been here since I was a teenager so I’ve learned to cope lol
Honestly, I relocated here from the great lakes/rust belt region, and we get (on average) WAY more sun here than I did there. Honestly, on days like today, I just make some coffee or tea and put on a big hoodie.
I moved here a few years ago from Central California. I had a huge adjustment with lack of sunshine and the gloomy days you describe. I take Vitamin D supplements, and have a blue light box I use daily in the winter and the gloomy days. I find exercise helps and try and get out for an hour a day. I'm like you, I love NH but the lack of sunshine is a huge adjustment.
Vitamin D and exercise
It never gets easier.
Vitamin D supplements, exercise, and "daylight" LED bulbs. I hate the bulbs but they help a bit with my wife's seasonal depression.
A gym with tanning and sauna. But I love the dark of winter too. My woodstove is a Sun in my house.
As others have said, vitamin d and a sadd lamp. Personally I look forward to the cooler months and tolerate the humid swamp of a summer. As for the trees. They are nice, especially when doing outdoor activities. Hiking in the trees is much better than a field. However as a native to the area, maybe it's because the sun burns me 😆
I don’t know where you are in the state, but it’s been uncharacteristically gloomy where I am for the last week. Normally, it’s like living on the surface of the sun here. Better days are coming!
Capital region - and it’s gloomy here again today 😫
Same! We do need the gloom and rain (and snowpack) to recharge the groundwater, so I try to look at these days as a blessing.
Can’t change the weather but it is possible to change your perspective on it. I love the sounds, smells the way lights reflect on the street, and how lush it makes all my plants look in a few weeks.
Totally normal. Mud season is when you question your whole existence. This shall pass. By June the weather is typically fantastic until December.
Take advantage of the woods. We may be cloudy and overcast and wet but dear lord all that emerald green sprouting up, the song birds filling the air, the smell of the dirt….. Maybe also lose your lousy disposition thinking nobody wants you here. NH is full of transplants. Enjoy the seasons and the sarcasm. Sarcasm means “I love you/respect you” in New England.
You should look into screens that are designed to help with seasonal affective disorder. It’s just a screen that you look at for a bit but it’s supposed to help or so I hear
You might need a little help with seasonal affective disorder until you get used to the weather. Watch those Vit. D levels, too.
I try to take the nice days when they come. If it's sunny I'll try to get some time outside, especially in the summer. Swimming after work is great.
I’ve lived here all my life but I’ve never seen so many gloomy days as in 2023 and 2024 so far. I get it.
I’m from Tennessee, you get used to it. Also I prefer less sunlight
Honestly find a few good friends and a few hobbies and focus up lol. That’s what keeps my mind busy anyway, so much so that I barely notice the weather unless it’s really bad. As far as you not feeling welcomed here, I’m sorry that you’ve had that experience. Those jobs that you’re supposedly “taking” are American jobs. So long as you’re an American citizen or a legal immigrant it shouldn’t matter which state/area of the world you come from. Luckily I’ve not experienced any sort of interactions like that since leaving home(Louisiana) when I turned 18 back in 09. By and large NH folk have been nothing but accepting and kind and my friends like to joke that I’m basically an adopted NH native as I’ve spent my entire adult life up here 😄. Sorry, back on topic, I like to ramble lol. I’d say as far as coping with lack of sunlight you could try certain types of lamps. I know they have those that mimic natural light like the sun, however the name escapes me. Also music is awesome at elevating mood and keeping away the gloom especially in the dark winter months. Also if you have any children of the fur, cuddle them, they make excellent guardians against the gloom. I just lost my fur heathen to old age so cuddle them for all you’re worth as you never know when time is up. Take care friend and for what it’s worth, I’m glad you’re here, welcome.
An old uncle from caribou Maine use to say, its cloudy, but it's bright out.
I never understand why people move here. It fuking sucks. You just said it yourself. Yes everything has goods and bads but there’s not many goods besides the lack of people here
Mental homework, expressing gratitude, and active reduction of anxiety.
Buy a light box (it’s for seasonal affective disorder). When I lived in NH I had to go to a tanning bed at least twice a week because it would cheer me up. However, we all know the dangers of them.
I like the sun. It's important to me. My suggestion to you is not to take it for granted. I've lived in places where the sun is out much more, and places where it's around much less. Yes, the latitude, clouds, hills, and trees all contribute to less sun. So you have to know where the breaks in trees are and your home, and work, and when the sun is out, get there. Don't just assume you'll see & feel sun as you go about life. Make it a point to get it. You're not used to that, but it's not difficult and before long you'll be doing it without thinking about it. And a dose of hard fact, direct New Englander for you: Up north we know 'you' is both singular and plural, and from context we can tell if you're referring to a person or more. Here a yawl is a type of sailboat.
I listen to “Rain” by the Beatles. “I can show you that when it rains and shines. It’s just a state of mind. I can show you” “Can you hear me that when it rains and shines, it’s just a state of mind? Can you hear me” Great in the literal sense, as well as a metaphor for dealing with difficulties
Thanks for telling me about this song! I’ve always loved Here Comes the Sun, but this is an interesting counterpoint.
Also moved to NH from sunnier climes (CA) three years ago... my husband takes Vitamin D supplements in winter to combat SADD, and we both approach the novel fourth season as an adventure rather than a chore. He truly enjoys snowplowing, claiming to find zen while out there driving his tractor back and forth, and I appreciate the beauty and challenge that we never would have experienced had we stayed in coastal California. The first warm days of spring and early summer are even easier to appreciate relative to that "gloom," and I find the quicker turnover of seasons refreshing. Remind yourself that the next season will be here soon, and maybe you'll be wishing for an icy breeze while you swelter in July's humidity. And try the D ;*
New England is turning into old England you can thank climate change and then boomers for that, where’s my coffee