As we all know, the weather in the UK can be unpredictable and at times, downright gloomy. From the long, grey days of winter to the seemingly endless drizzle of a British summer, the changing weather can take a real toll on our mental health. Many of us have experienced those low-energy days when the sky is heavy, and our mood mirrors the clouds. But what can we do to combat these dips in mood?
There’s plenty of research that shows the impact of weather on mental health. Lack of sunlight, for example, can lower serotonin levels, leaving us feeling sluggish or down. On the other hand, blue skies and a bit of sunshine can give us that much-needed boost. It’s important to acknowledge how the weather affects us and take steps to manage those mood shifts, especially during the darker months.
So, what can we do when the rain keeps falling or the wind is howling outside? One great way to stay positive is by keeping your hands busy and your mind focused on something enjoyable. For many of us Jeddlers, that means turning to our trusty pedal kits. Working on a kit not only keeps the mind sharp but also provides that satisfying dopamine hit when a build comes together just right. The sense of achievement after soldering the last wire and hearing your pedal roar to life is a natural mood booster, and it’s something we can turn to year-round—rain or shine. I’ve always believed in the power of hands-on work to lift the spirit. There's something deeply rewarding about creating something from scratch, and our kits are designed to make that process as smooth and enjoyable as possible. This has been my approach to life since my early days #builtnotbought
Of course, the last year has been tough for other reasons, too. It’s been a year since my dear friend and colleague, Steve, passed away. He wasn’t into building pedals himself, but he always showed a genuine interest because he knew how much it meant to me. That’s the kind of friend Steve was—always supportive, always willing to listen. I visited his grave recently, left some flowers, and spent a quiet moment thinking about him. He was a true friend, and his presence is missed, but his memory lives on in moments like those.
Aside from building pedals, I’ve also found that fishing has been a great source of calm in my life. There’s something almost spooky about being near water. It’s as if the quiet and the gentle lapping of the waves taps into a primal part of the brain, calming it in ways nothing else quite can. I still go as often as I can, casting a line and letting the stress of the week float away with the current. Much like working on a pedal kit, fishing is a slow, methodical process that allows for deep concentration and relaxation. It's the perfect mental break when life gets overwhelming.
At the end of the day, we all need ways to maintain our mental health, especially in a world that’s constantly shifting—whether that’s due to the weather or the events around us. For us Jeddlers, building pedal kits is more than just a hobby. It’s a way to stay grounded, to focus on the positive, and to keep our minds active and creative. Every completed kit is not just another tool in your rig but a testament to your ability to create and problem-solve. That sense of accomplishment, that dopamine rush when it works just as you imagined, is worth every moment of effort.
So next time you’re feeling a bit low, whether it’s from the rain outside or something more personal, why not pick up the soldering iron and have a waft? It might just be the boost you need. And who knows, by the time you’ve completed it, the sun might even decide to come out.
Don't forget we have our excellent Facebook Group where you can drop by to chat or get some support with a build, or just offload if you're feeling glum. We are a collective family of strangers, and we never leave a man in the field.
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Take care of yourselves, Jeddlers, and keep building, and just as a reward for reading all the way to the end, if you want to buy a fuzz kit, the discount code blogreader should give you 10% off between until 06/10/24
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