We have reached that time in the season where people are starting to whisper about how many weeks are left. We’ve just crested the mid-point of the season and traditionally at this time of year many of you will just want to go home. Fear not, this is completely normal and is a classic case of the mid season blues.
This strange phenomenon that comes into resort around February and hangs over people for a few weeks is something that can’t be avoided. Most people will feel at least a touch of it, and for some it will just make them want to retreat and go home. Mid season is the point where you probably feel most tired and most disinclined to do the things you loved back in November when this all began.
Mid season blues can manifest itself in a variety of ways. For a lot of people it just makes you feel like you can’t be bothered to do anything; can’t be bothered to go out; can’t be bothered to ski; can’t really be bothered to do anything. You then end up in your apartment for days on end, only leaving to go to work. That’s not healthy for anyone.
A lot of people will snort at the idea we’re proposing here. You’re meant to be in a ski resort having the best year ever and we’re talking about a mild form of depression. Based on the number of sad and stressed faces floating around town in February every year, there must be something to it, and if you don’t believe us you only have to eavesdrop a little bit and you’ll hear someone talking about it.
For many people it manifests itself as a sensation of being a bit trapped and bored in resort. To tackle this, the best thing to do is to take a little day trip somewhere, even if it’s just down to Bourg to smell some seasonnaire-free air.
If you have a friend with a car who is either willing to drive you somewhere or would be just as pleased as you to get a bit of a break then get them involved and drive somewhere further (but not too far) afield. Meribel isn’t insanely far away and offers a wealth of skiing and fun that has nothing to do with the Espace Killy, while still retaining that lovely ski resort flavour.
If you’re feeling down in the dumps about skiing and really can’t be bothered getting dressed and ready for some fun on the snow then you just have to push yourself to get out there. Get a big bunch of mates and plan a really good day on the slopes to remind yourself exactly why you’re out here and why this is miles better than being bored at home. There isn’t an easy fix for this one except to suck it up and get yourself out there smelling the crisp mountain air. Good weather will help you get out of your funk so pray to the weather gods for some sunshine and head out on the hill to work on your goggle tan.
If it’s all gotten too much and you want to go home, then if you have the funds and a bit of time off to play with then perhaps that’s the right option. I’m writing this while sat in an airport, and while there’s a reason why I’m going home for a few days I’m really looking forward to seeing my parents. Once I’ve eaten the biggest beef roast dinner my mother can muster, I’ll doubtless realise that I live in a backwater, much prefer Val d’Isère and all the people in it and will be raring to come back.
Don’t see going home as defeat. No-one is going to come up to you at the end of the season and claim you aren’t a seasonnaire because you took a trip home in early March just to get a taste of some home comforts. Accepting that some time at home might make you feel better when you come back is an intelligent and mature decision (not that I can be called an expert on either quality) that you shouldn’t regret.It’s time to beat those mid season blues. Pound out your frustration in the gym, on the slopes or in the pool. Activity is better than anything for you and will get the endorphins pumping, which will in turn break you out of the sort of general malaise that only the true genius possess and the insane lament. Here at TME we require you all to be on good form for photos and Insider stories. Happy seasonnaires equal happy times in the TME office.
Don’t think it’s not happening and don’t stress yourself out about it. There is always someone to talk to: your friends, your employers or even people at the English Medical Centre. They are all here to help and no one will laugh at you. Sharing is at least taking some of the load off your back and you won’t feel so alone. February can be a hard month. Don’t make it harder than it needs to be and remember that the next legendary moment of your season is probably right around the corner.
Tags: S5E12
