I look outside, and the sky is gray, solid gray, no breaks in the clouds, no different shades, just gray. On top of that, it is cold and dark. I sit inside huddled under my blankets with a fuzzy sweater and fuzzy socks, and it helps, but I'm still cold.

As winter approaches, I think many are experiencing the same thing. I am in Chicago visiting family, but just days ago I was in warm, sunny, 80-degree Florida. It's a marvel what difference 1,000 miles can make when it comes to the weather.

Weather is a strange, funny thing that affects more than the outside or our physical bodies; it often affects our mood too, and more than we realize. I grew up in Chicago, so this weather was the norm for many months. The first few snows of the season were exciting. I loved waking up to a surprise of pure white powder blanketing the trees and grass. But then the months would drift on of cold dreary days with no green in sight, just gray and the occasional white.

After a while, my mood would change too, from bright and sunny to gray, just like the outdoors. It happened gradually, so I didn't always notice it right away. But slowly it would weigh on me. I would miss the flowers and the grass and going for walks by the pond. I would miss hearing the birds singing, but I often didn't notice something was missing until it returned in the spring, then I would perk up at the first birdsong and realize I hadn't heard that sound in months.

When it's dreary and cold and dark it's hard to be motivated. It's easy to want to hibernate, curl under your covers, eat piles of warm soup and hot cocoa, and sleep away the rest of the winter. If only we could do that, but we must work and do things. It didn't take long before the depression would set in. I would be down, and it would be hard to want to get out of bed in the morning.

This depression went on for years before I recognized what it was. It always happened every winter, and as soon as the weather warmed, or the sun came out I would feel better, so I realized it was the weather causing my depression. It turns out I wasn't the only one, many people get seasonal depression.

I realized that my mood was closely connected with the world around me, and nothing helped me more than being outside in warm sunny air, surrounded by green plants and animals. I think this is especially true for empaths, us sensitive people who are affected by our environment.

Once I experienced warm weather and realized I could skip winter altogether, I never wanted to go back. I could be happy and have fun all winter rather than be depressed. Moving to Florida was the best decision I made because it helped restore my sanity. I could enjoy being outside, where I feel most at home, all year round, rather than just half the year.

Seasonal depression is a real thing. It's not easy to have your whole mood affected by the whims of the weather and have no control over it. So please be understanding of those who do, including yourself if that's you.