The November Blues: The Tender Work of Midlife Metamorphosis
November hit hard this week — early darkness, seasonal heaviness, comfort eating, and missing dance class left me feeling guilty and discouraged. I had the November blues.
But amid the struggle lay a deeper truth: this is part of my midlife metamorphosis.
Summary: November hit hard this week — early darkness, seasonal heaviness, comfort eating, and missing dance class left me feeling guilty and discouraged. But amid the struggle lay a more profound truth: this is part of my midlife metamorphosis. In this reflection, I explore how seasonal mood shifts affect women over 55, why dance class has become a lifeline in my growth, and how we can support ourselves with compassion when the November Blues take over. This week taught me that transformation isn’t linear — it’s tender, honest, and beautifully human.
This post is part of my ongoing series, Lessons from the Dance Floor, where I share stories from my adult jazz dance class—and the surprising life lessons they reveal. Each week, I explore how movement, music, and a beginner’s mindset can help women over 55 confront self-doubt, rediscover joy, and live with intention. This is my Week Two blog for Session Two.
A Preamble: When the Dark Gets Heavy and the Heart Feels Heavier
I missed dance class last night.
And the guilt hit much harder than I expected.
It wasn’t just that I let myself down.
I felt like I let Jen down, and the other dancers down, too.
Worse: I felt like I disrupted the rhythm of something that matters more to me than I’ve fully admitted.
There’s a tender truth I’m beginning to learn in this midlife metamorphosis:
The things we fear losing often reveal what we love the most.
And missing class revealed a surprising ache in me — a longing for movement, for community, for progress, for the version of myself that feels braver when she walks into that studio.
But Week Two arrived with November’s heaviness, and I found myself overwhelmed by the season. The blues were upon me.
I missed dance class last night.
And the guilt hit much harder than I expected.
The Weight of November in Atlantic Canada and the November Blues
In this part of Nova Scotia, darkness falls fast and early.
Far earlier than it did when I lived in Toronto.
This higher latitude brings a kind of abrupt dimming:
4:45 p.m. feels like 9.
The whole world seems to sigh.
And with the time change?
My mood sagged.
My energy dipped.
Everything felt heavier than usual.
Last week’s night drive didn’t help matters: two deer darting across the road and a mysterious creature slipping into the grass. I felt alert, anxious, and cautious. Enough so that the thought of driving in the dark again made my whole body tense.
And then came the November slump so many women over 55 recognize:
low energy
more cravings
disrupted sleep
emotional fog
comfort eating
loneliness, even when not alone
reluctance to go out at night
The Canadian Mental Health Association notes that shorter daylight significantly impacts serotonin and mood regulation, especially during late fall.¹
And Health Canada confirms that many people experience “subclinical” Seasonal Affective Disorder—symptoms that don’t meet diagnostic criteria but still affect daily functioning.
That’s where I found myself this week:
Not SAD… but close enough to feel its slippery influence.
In this part of Nova Scotia, darkness falls fast and early.
Far earlier than it did when I lived in Toronto.
And then came the November slump so many women over 55 recognize—the November blues.
The Grocery Store Spiral: How Comfort Sneaks In
Sunday was bright and beautiful — the kind of day that tricks you into thinking winter hasn’t fully arrived.
So I went for groceries with good intentions.
But my Wolfville Independent grocery store is renovating.
Rows of exciting new products.
Shelves full of tempting treats.
Artisan snacks.
Fresh bakery items.
Sourdough that practically sings your name.
I tried to stick to my list — simple, practical, budget-conscious — but the new foods lit up my brain in a way I haven’t felt in weeks.
Food was comfort.
Choice was comfort.
Variety was comfort.
Security was comfort.
And I wanted comfort.
Then came the stop at the Irving gas station.
Pizza chips.
Bits and Bytes.
A whole bucket of candy.
It reminded me of the time Jen and I went for a drive, stopped at the Irving station, and stocked up. We wolfed down our treats as Jen drove, and we talked. A really nice memory.
You can see where this is going.
Driving through the countryside, snacking, warm sun on my arm — I felt momentarily high. The winter wheat fields looked alive. The houses looked happy. The world felt safer.
But later, at home, my hand kept finding the candy bucket.
And on Monday?
Gut issues.
Low energy.
And the recognition that I couldn’t safely leave the house for dance class.
It wasn’t the food that upset me.
It was what the missing class represented.
Sunday was bright and beautiful — the kind of day that tricks you into thinking winter hasn’t fully arrived.
So I went for groceries with good intentions.
I tried to stick to my list — simple, practical, budget-conscious — but the new foods lit up my brain in a way I haven’t felt in weeks.
Why Missing Dance Class Hurt So Much
This week offered clarity:
**1. Dance is my structure.
My anchor.
My weekly proof that i’m still growing.**
Women over 55 often lose structures that once defined their identity — job rhythms, parenting routines, social circles, even physical mobility. Dance class becomes a steadying force.
2. Dance is the portal to my midlife metamorphosis.
This class isn’t just exercise.
It’s the place where my body, courage, joy, and self-compassion meet.
Every week is a reminder that my story isn’t over. I am still becoming.
3. Dance represents the version of myself I want more of.
The brave one.
The social one.
The resilient one.
The woman who shows up for herself.
**4. And beneath it all:
Dance is the place where I feel alive.**
That matters more than I’ve admitted — until now.
So when I miss class, it feels like the chrysalis cracking in the wrong direction.
It feels like sliding backward.
Even though I am not.
This week offered clarity:
Dance is the place where I feel alive.**
That matters more than I’ve admitted — until now.
The Real Reason We Collapse Into Comfort in Midlife
This week is bigger than chips and candy.
Bigger than missing class.
Bigger than a fogged-up Beetle, and a night drive I was reluctant to do.
It’s about understanding what happens in my body and mind during seasonal heaviness:
✅ Biology shifts (serotonin drops, circadian rhythm changes)
Shorter days = mood dips + carb cravings.
(CAMH confirms this.³)
✅ Hormones shift in midlife
Lower estrogen = increased emotional sensitivity and fatigue.
✅ Stress shifts
Financial worries (“Let’s not spend money now”), loneliness, and winter isolation intensify emotional eating triggers.
✅ Self-regulation becomes harder
Not because I’m weak — because the season is heavy.
This isn’t a flaw.
This is human.
This week is bigger than chips and candy.
Bigger than missing class.
Bigger than a fogged-up Beetle, and a night drive I was reluctant to do.
It’s about understanding what happens in my body and mind during seasonal heaviness:
What Women Over 55 Can Do When the November Slump Hits Hard
This part is for all of us.
1. Name the heaviness without self-blame
Awareness diffuses shame.
2. Plan your evenings with compassion, not discipline
prep clothes
eat earlier
choose daylight errands
build a “transition ritual” (tea, music, soft lighting)
3. Use joyful movement instead of forcing motivation
Dance. Stretching. Gentle yoga.
Movement that feels nurturing, not punishing.
4. Create a comfort menu that helps, not harms
soup
warm drinks
nuts
fruit with yogurt
high-quality bread with protein
Not deprivation — substitution.
5. Use a light therapy lamp
Recommended by The Mood Disorders Society of Canada for winter mood regulation.⁴
6. Reach out instead of retreating
Tell someone (a loved one, a friend, a stranger) that you struggled.
Connection lowers shame.
Awareness diffuses shame.
Connection lowers shame.
**I Didn’t Lose Momentum.
I Learned What I Need.**
A midlife metamorphosis isn’t a smooth line.
It’s a spiral.
A slow returning to the same lessons with more awareness each time.
Missing a class doesn’t mean I failed.
It shows the stakes.
My growth matters to you.
My movement matters.
My dance class matters — deeply.
I didn’t go backwards.
I discovered another part of the path.
And next week?
I’ll walk into class wiser, gentler, and more prepared.
The Chrysalyss continues.
I Learned What I Need.**
A midlife metamorphosis isn’t a smooth line.
It’s a spiral.
A slow returning to the same lessons with more awareness each time.
Internal Links to Support Your Readers
These deepen the self-compassion arc:
A Midlife Metamorphosis (Session One)
https://www.loopseeladder.com/midlife-in-motion-hub/a-midlife-metamorphosisStress Reduction Tips for Women 55+: Relax and Recharge
https://www.loopseeladder.com/old-blog-posts/stress-reduction-women-55Women Over 55: Unlock Your Inner Power to Boost Your Energy
https://www.loopseeladder.com/old-blog-posts/boost-your-energyThe Joy Blueprint Workbook
A perfect companion for navigating seasonal heaviness.
External Canadian Sources
¹ CMHA – “Winter Blues or something more? Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)”
³ CAMH – “Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)”
⁴ Mood Disorders Society of Canada – “It is That Time of Year: Seasonal Affective Disorder & The Winter Blues”.
FAQ (supportive, midlife-focused, Canadian-informed)
Why does November feel so heavy for women over 55?
Shorter days and less sunlight disrupt serotonin and circadian rhythms, which can lower energy, increase cravings, and affect mood. Midlife hormonal changes can intensify this effect. Many women experience “subclinical” Seasonal Affective Disorder in late fall.
Is emotional eating common in midlife?
Yes. Comfort eating is a very normal response to seasonal mood dips, stress, and loneliness. It’s not a failure — it’s a coping strategy. With awareness and gentle alternatives, we can shift the pattern.
How can I stay motivated to exercise when it gets dark so early?
Choose joyful movement instead of forcing discipline. Dance, stretching, indoor walking, and short routines help. Preparing earlier in the day, using bright indoor lighting, and setting small “transition rituals” also make evenings easier.
What can I do to cope with the November Blues?
Light therapy, warm foods, daytime walks, simplifying expectations, and connecting with others help significantly. Canadian mental health experts recommend “seasonal flexibility” — adjusting routines without guilt.
Why does missing one class feel like such a setback?
Because the activity matters deeply. Dance is more than exercise — it represents growth, community, courage, and consistency. Feeling disappointed means you value your transformation. And that’s a strength, not a weakness.
How do I get back on track after a slump?
Start with compassion, not criticism. Reflect on triggers, support your energy, and make a simple plan for the next class or movement session. Midlife growth is not linear — it’s cyclical, and every return counts.
NOTE: To check out my newest article on Medium, please click this link: The November Blues: Notes From a Midlife Metamorphosis
👉 I thoughtfully use AI tools to polish my writing, but every story comes from my lived experience.
