By Lori Welch Brown

March is one of those lost months, kind of floating out there, buffering winter and spring. We can find some purpose or joy in the rest of the months—or at least I can. January is for getting your act together, right? You’re busy putting holiday stuff away, getting your diet back on track, organizing your closets. February is for lovers and sales—‘nuf said. April is for fools, tax accountants, and sometimes the Easter bunny. May brings flowers, reasons to buy flowers (Mom) and the kick off to summer—basically May is carrying the load for the rest of the year.

June is for grads and dads. July is for hot dogs and Uncle Sam. August is for the dogs. September is for students and people who love me (hello, my birthday!). October is for ghosts and goblins. November is for gobblers and gobbling. December is for peace on earth and good will towards anyone who isn’t involved in politics.

Then there’s March.

If you’re a basketball fan, you’re covered. But for the rest of us, we are left feeling a bit lost. Sure—there’s St. Patrick’s Day, but unless your last name is McDougall and/or you’re under the age of 25, it’s a pretty good bet that all it means is to avoid your local pubs and a 10-mile radius around any parade routes.

For many people, the Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is real this time of year. It’s hard to get out of bed when it’s cold and dark. Lacing up the sneakers and getting outside to enjoy some fresh air is a challenge. Beyond wreaking havoc on our mental health, the winter air is not kind to our skin. Bundling up in all those sweaters and parkas serves a dual purpose—keeping us warm while also hiding the lizard skin. I don’t know about you, but no amount of hydration, shea butter, and/or oil has helped my iguana legs.

So, March – unless you’re bringing some spring-like weather to the DMV or dropping some plane tickets to a tropical locale into my lap – I’m going to have to come up with a plan to survive you.

I’m going to take a few naps and continue my comfort food diet. I’m going to relax and enjoy my newly organized house. I’m going to do a lot of brainstorming and navel gazing. I’m going to plot out some goals in my fancy planner and use my good pens. I’m going to take Dozer on some long walks. I’m going to make a boatload of soups with wholesome ingredients. I’m going to actually take my vitamins and supplements. I’m going to drink some really good, full-bodied Cabernets.

I’m going to bond with some friends—and not just Grace & Frankie. I’m going to use my phone less and my note cards more. I’m going to book myself a massage and maybe even a body treatment. Maybe a trained professional is what is required to return the youthful glow to my skin.

On the days I can muster the energy—I’m going to take a road trip out to Fauquier County. I haven’t been to my parents’ place since we sold it a few years ago. I’m going to pop into a few art galleries and maybe even a museum or two. I’m going to act like a tourist in my home town.

And when I’m feeling creative, I’m going to paint and write. I’ve taken a little hiatus from both recently, and I’m hoping March will find me back in my studio and in front of my laptop—for fun and play.

And I’m also going to show up for my friends as much as possible because I know some of them are struggling. Struggling with going back into the office; struggling with the fear of losing their jobs; and just struggling with all that is going on in the world. It’s not an easy time for many. Regardless of our politics, it is important to be there for each other, listen, and hold space for the people we care about.

And for all you people with March birthdays, rest assured that I will rally to celebrate you as long as there’s cake involved.

March—I’m ready for you. Or at least I will be after this nap.

Cheers to getting by on March—not just surviving, but thriving. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 20 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this.