30th November - The U.K Makes Me Depressed



Upon the extreme high of a fortnight in the States earlier this Summer, I returned home - and after a short period of jubilation on account of being reunited with my partner - I feel into a somewhat deep slumber of depression for a few weeks. I wasn't quite sure if this was partially due to jet lag, or the classic 'holiday blues'. When you can do what you want, when you want, eating whatever you desire, and seeing beautiful sights and landmarks, the 'structure' of a working day, having to tick items off your to-do list to then gain a wage again, certainly feels monotonous and somewhat gloomy. 




It was a feeling I kept in mind, hoping it wouldn't return after my next big trip away, but sadly, I've found that it has. At first, I wondered - in my new found role as a secret introvert - if I was just a bit 'peopled out'. After spending 4 days in the constant company of my long-time friend at the World Cup, I was thrust into another 3 days of consecutive chatting with family members, and 4 of my last 5 days have been spent entertaining others, conversationally. I think, at times, you have to be alone with your own thoughts, and the last time I was truly alone, which is also when I feel most at peace and comfortable, was a full 10 days ago now. 





I've wondered if this pattern is one highlighted by the U.K. Yesterday was fun, drinking with friends in Clapham and watching England batter the Welsh, but I probably shouldn't have gone, as I've been left with a groggy flu-like virus since I've come home, packed with a sore throat which is only worsened by drinking alcohol. This illness, coupled with the sudden change of temperature as I venture from 30 celsius heat in the desert, to a chilling British Winter, has certainly not helped my overall mood. Though similar feelings were experienced when I returned home from Rome, Riga, Punta Cana, Accra, Budapest, New York, Philadelphia, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Barcelona, Florence, and Venice, earlier this year. Today, I'm gonna run myself a hot bubble bath, bathe in my S.A.D, the sun setting at 3pm, and the mountains of weight I've piled on again recently, and just accept the fact...





... That the U.K makes me depressed. 

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