The Authentic Society Podcast – Episode 8: The Winter Blues

Host: Jamie
Release Date: January 20, 2025

Introduction & Community Gratitude

In the opening segments of Episode 8, titled "The Winter Blues," Jamie warmly welcomes both returning listeners and newcomers to The Authentic Society. She expresses heartfelt gratitude towards her dedicated YouTube community, emphasizing the meaningful connections formed through genuine interactions.

"YouTube girlies are ride or freaking dies. And I just want to live in my YouTube comments because they are so kind, so fun and that's exactly the kind of community I want to be growing." [02:30]

Jamie highlights the importance of building a supportive and authentic community, contrasting her positive experiences on YouTube with the less reliable nature of other platforms like TikTok.

Main Topic Introduction: Post-Holiday Blues & Seasonal Depression

Transitioning from gratitude, Jamie delves into the core topic of the episode: post-holiday blues, seasonal depression, and anxiety. She provides a clear trigger warning for listeners who might be sensitive to discussions about mental health.

"This is your official trigger warning that I will be talking about anxiety and depression." [09:15]

Jamie begins by sharing her personal struggles with the winter months, particularly January, outlining how societal pressures to set and achieve new year goals amplify her feelings of sluggishness and anxiety.

"January is a hard freaking month. Somebody needs to write a book about how to get through January because it is one of the hardest months, I feel like, out of the year to get through for me." [10:00]

Understanding Seasonal Depression

Jamie offers an informative exploration of seasonal depression, intertwining personal insights with researched facts. She explains the physiological impact of reduced sunlight on serotonin and melatonin levels, which contribute to feelings of depression and increased sleepiness.

"The body produces more melatonin when there's less sunlight. So our bodies are basically telling us, hey, you aren't producing serotonin like you should be." [17:45]

She draws parallels between human behavior and animal hibernation, suggesting that humans naturally need a period of rest and reduced activity during colder months.

"Animals and mammals, which we are mammals, hibernate this time of year. They are resting their bodies to be up during the summer months to hunt, to feed, to feel that energy again." [15:30]

Impact on Daily Life

Jamie candidly discusses how seasonal depression and the accompanying anxiety affect various aspects of her daily life. She touches upon disrupted sleep patterns, increased cravings for comfort foods, and a general lack of motivation.

"My mental health just takes such a toll. I'm not sleeping well. My mind does not shut off." [30:20]

She shares a personal anecdote about her stressful dreams, linking them to her anxiety levels.

"I dreamt about getting a tattoo on my forehead and I was so anxious... I was like, how do we get this off?" [39:50]

Coping Strategies: Setting Realistic Goals

Acknowledging the struggle to meet lofty new year resolutions, Jamie advocates for setting smaller, more manageable goals to combat seasonal depression.

"Next week, to help get me out of this slump of seasonal depression, I've decided I'm going to walk at least three days next week outside for 30 minutes." [45:10]

She emphasizes the importance of incremental progress, suggesting a gradual increase in activity to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

"If I set high expectations, I don't do it because it feels too overwhelming. So, start small." [52:00]

Jamie encourages listeners to engage by sharing their own strategies for maintaining healthy eating habits during the winter months, especially when dealing with busy schedules and limited time for cooking.

"If you do eat healthy, how do you do it? Do you just come up with easy recipes? Do you use the crock pot? Let me know in the comments." [54:30]

Self-Compassion & Celebrating Small Successes

A significant portion of the episode focuses on the necessity of self-compassion and the celebration of small achievements. Jamie illustrates this by recounting her recent accomplishment of efficiently unpacking her suitcase post-trip—a task that typically takes her much longer.

"My small success this week was I went on a trip last weekend to New York City... I did it in three days. And usually, it takes me like seven to eight days to get my suitcase up." [1:05:45]

She urges listeners to recognize and celebrate their own small victories as a means to build momentum and foster a positive mindset.

"Celebrate more of my small successes. So I do want to, at the end of each podcast, start celebrating a small success, like the high highs of my week or something." [1:07:20]

Conclusion & Listener Engagement

In wrapping up the episode, Jamie reinforces the message that seasonal depression and anxiety are common and that listeners are not alone in their struggles. She invites the audience to share their experiences and successes in the comments, fostering a community of support and understanding.

"You're not alone. You're not crazy. You're just basically a bear that can't hibernate." [1:12:15]

Jamie also hints at future content, including potential vlogs and topics based on listener feedback, encouraging ongoing engagement and interaction.

"Can you tell me if you want to see my New York vlog? I don't think I necessarily... it's going to be a very short vlog, because let me tell you, vlogging's hard." [1:18:40]

Key Takeaways

• Acknowledge the Struggle: Recognizing and accepting feelings of seasonal depression and anxiety is the first step towards managing them.

• Set Realistic Goals: Instead of overwhelming resolutions, set small, achievable goals to maintain motivation and avoid burnout.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Recognizing and celebrating minor successes can build confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment.

• Seek Community Support: Engaging with a supportive community can provide encouragement and reduce feelings of isolation.

• Practice Self-Compassion: Being kind to oneself during challenging times is crucial for mental well-being.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "January is a hard freaking month. Somebody needs to write a book about how to get through January because it is one of the hardest months, I feel like, out of the year to get through for me." [10:00]

• "The body produces more melatonin when there's less sunlight. So our bodies are basically telling us, hey, you aren't producing serotonin like you should be." [17:45]

• "My mental health just takes such a toll. I'm not sleeping well. My mind does not shut off." [30:20]

• "Next week, to help get me out of this slump of seasonal depression, I've decided I'm going to walk at least three days next week outside for 30 minutes." [45:10]

• "Celebrate more of my small successes. So I do want to, at the end of each podcast, start celebrating a small success, like the high highs of my week or something." [1:07:20]

• "You're not alone. You're not crazy. You're just basically a bear that can't hibernate." [1:12:15]

Stay Connected:

• YouTube: The Authentic Society YouTube Channel
• Instagram: Linked in the podcast description
• Audience Engagement: Share your small wins and coping strategies in the comments section on YouTube or Instagram.

Thank you for tuning into The Authentic Society. Remember, you're not alone in navigating the winter blues. Let's support each other through the season.