There’s a mood many of us know but can’t always name. Not depression, not burnout, just… blah. A kind of foggy, flat, unmotivated middle space where things aren’t falling apart, but they’re definitely not lighting you up. It’s that sense of aimlessness, of going through the motions, especially in the depths of winter when light is low and energy is lower. Psychologists call it languishing, and it’s more common than we realise.
In our culture, we often assume that as long as we’re not unwell, we must be fine. But just like not having a cold doesn’t mean you’re fit and healthy, not being clinically depressed doesn’t mean you’re thriving. This is where the field of positive psychology steps in. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with you?” it asks, “What’s strong with you?” It’s about building what’s good, not just fixing what’s bad.
Comfort zone and the cost of staying safe
When we’re in a “blah” state, our natural instinct is to retreat into comfort. We stay safe. We doom-scroll. We absorb the anxiety of the world through newsfeeds and media loops, often without realising how much it drains us. We retreat from challenges, and while comfort has its place, living there too long can drain us.
We can’t always control the state of the world, our workload, or even our circumstances, but we can control how we respond, how we show up for ourselves and others. That’s the essence of resilience: choosing to move forward, even in small ways, when the path isn’t clear or easy.
The problem with only treating problems
Most health systems, and even many wellness approaches, focus on fixing. Fix the diet. Fix the diagnosis. Fix the thing that’s wrong. It’s a necessary lens in clinical psychology, which moves people from unwell to functional. But that still leaves a massive gap between “not sick” and wellbeing.
Positive psychology emerged to fill that space, exploring what it takes for people to flourish, not just function. It doesn’t ignore problems, but it widens the frame: What gives people meaning? What builds confidence, connection, and vitality?
The Australian government, like many others, spends billions on treating disease, particularly cancer. But research shows up to 80% of cancers could be prevented through healthier lifestyle choices such as moving our bodies, eating well, reducing stress, sleeping better, and managing anxiety. That’s not just good for health, it’s good for happiness, purpose, and energy. And yet, prevention gets far less airtime than cure.
A new approach to Winter woes
In winter, blah tends to creep in more easily. Less light, less movement, less socialising. But maybe, instead of pushing ourselves to “fix everything,” we try something gentler and more sustainable. Not toxic positivity or pretending everything is great when it’s not, but a shift in focus: What’s still working? What small thing feels good? Where can you show up, even just a little?
Maybe you’re not eating perfectly, but you’re sleeping well. Maybe you haven’t run a marathon, but you’re getting out for walks or cooking nourishing soups. Start there. Let the small wins lead.
Finding flow, meaning, and connection
When we do something that aligns with our values, like training for a challenge, joining a group, or booking an adventure, we spark something. These activities go beyond being just hobbies and turn into powerful tools for wellbeing. Research shows that connection, belonging, and meaning are some of the strongest predictors of long-term health and happiness.
And guess what? You don’t need to wait until you “fix yourself” to start. Often, it’s the doing that leads to feeling better, not the other way around.
So if you’re in a winter funk, know this: You’re not broken. You don’t need fixing. You just need a little reorientation. Find one thing that makes you feel like you. One strength. One spark. One trail to walk, soup to make, friend to call, or challenge to say yes to. That’s not denial. That’s resilience. That’s the path from blah to better.
