Every year, around the time our breath starts fogging up the air and daylight clocks out early, a lot of us in the Canadian TTRPG scene start to feel it: that invisible boss fight known as Seasonal Affective Disorder AKA SAD.

SAD shouldn't be taken lightly because while it may seem like it's just feeling down about the cold, SAD is a real, recognized clinical condition. It hits hardest in fall and winter when sunlight disappears, and it can mess directly with your creativity and that's not good!

If you’ve ever stared at your notes thinking, “I just can’t find the spark today,” you’re not alone. It’s something a lot of us quietly wrestle with, and for creators, it’s not just uncomfortable, it’s dangerous to our craft.

HOW SAD SNEAKS INTO A CREATOR'S LIFE

Level 10 Blank Page Syndrome

That heavy “meh” that makes opening your document or sketchbook feel like climbing a mountain? That’s one of SAD’s biggest tricks. Low motivation, no energy, no focus. Suddenly, even writing a single encounter or designing a new ability feels impossible.

It’s not laziness, it's your brain chemistry literally running low on daylight fuel.

Brain Fog VS Math Brain

Game design loves clarity and logic, exactly what SAD fogs up.

It’s hard to balance a new system, check your mechanics, or edit your rulebook when your focus feels like it’s swimming through oatmeal.

Social Retreat

TTRPGs are a community thing, but SAD can push you into hermit mode, making it tough to stay connected or even reply to messages. And that isolation just feeds the Dark Dragon.

The Guilt Spiral

You miss a deadline. You feel guilty. You get anxious.

And that anxiety makes it harder to get back to work. It’s a nasty little loop that can eat away at your confidence and your joy.

Here's your Prescription

The good news is that you can absolutely fight this boss. You just need the right gear and the right strategy.

Here’s your toolkit:

Light Therapy

Light therapy lamps are basically cheat codes for your brain. They mimic sunlight and help reset your body’s internal rhythm.

Make your lamp session part of your morning routine. Turn it on while you check your email, sketch, or write. Around 20–30 minutes a day can make a real difference.

2. The Pomodoro Technique

SAD thrives in chaos. The Pomodoro Technique helps you build a structure and alleviate the chaos on which SAD thrives.

• Work in short bursts: Try 25-minute sprints with small, 5-minute breaks in between.
  

• Make a “low-energy” task list: For the rough days, have simple tasks ready: organizing files, cleaning up your notes, editing typos.

Progress is progress... No matter how small.

3. Stay Connected (on Your Own Terms)

You don’t have to hop into every voice chat or livestream. Keep your community time low-pressure.

• Hang out asynchronously: Drop into a Discord thread, share a bit of lore, or comment on someone’s post.
  

• Play-by-post games: A slower pace means you still get your TTRPG fix without the pressure of real-time play.

4. Lean Into the Season

Instead of fighting winter, use it. Think of it as your “worldbuilding season. ”Dark nights and quiet days are perfect for deep work: building cultures, mapping regions, writing lore. Personally, I get up every morning between 4 and 5 and work until everybody's up. No phones ringing, no Baby Girl crying, no cleaning to do ... This kind of creative focus thrives when the world slows down.

5. Adopt Good Life Habits

SAD drains your energy pool, so refill it wherever you can.

• Sleep & eat well: Sounds basic, but it matters.
  

• Move a little: Even a short walk at lunch can bump your mood.
  

• Talk to a pro: If things feel heavy, reach out to a doctor or therapist. Think of it as your favorite campaign when you reach out for a cleric at a local temple. It's totally normal and a smart move.

Seasonal Affective Disorder isn’t a sign of weakness or failure. It’s a seasonal condition that a lot of us fight every single year, but you don’t have to do it alone, and you don’t have to let it take your creative fire.

Light, structure, community, and care, that’s your loadout. Equip it early, use it often, and remember: the darkness doesn’t last forever.

Now gear up and go slay that Dark Dragon!

Download your Rx Cheat Sheet HERE