Outsmart the mid-winter slump
- The International
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Leslea Petersen explores why the mid-winter slump hits hard - and how you can stay focused, energised, and ready for new opportunities.
Photograph: Pexels-ron-lach
Text: Leslea Petersen
Does anyone else feel like the sun sets before you’ve even finished your morning coffee? I know the lighter days are coming, but waking up in the dark never gets easier. Honestly, I’d love to hibernate through this season and wake up when spring arrives.
In Denmark, the long, dark winter months can make even the most determined job seeker feel a bit flat. The days blur together, energy dips, and suddenly, the job search that once felt full of possibility at the start of the year starts to feel heavy.
Everyone’s talking about February being the start of the busy job search season (It is), but after a long January, you might not feel ready to jump back in. If you’ve found yourself staring at your laptop, struggling to write a cover letter or send another application, you’re not alone. The mid-winter slump is real, and it affects thousands of people every year. The good news? It’s not permanent, and there are ways to outsmart it.
What is the mid-winter slump?
The mid-winter slump is the period, often in January and February, when motivation and mood dip. It’s partly biological. With fewer hours of daylight, our bodies produce more melatonin, the hormone that makes us sleepy, and less serotonin, which helps us feel happy and focused. Add in the cold weather, January that lasts half the year (Feels like it), and the emotional tiredness of job hunting, and it’s no wonder your energy has dropped.
In Nordic countries like Denmark, this seasonal slowdown is especially common. But remember, it’s not you failing to stay motivated; it’s simply a natural response to the season. Once you understand what’s happening, you can take a few simple steps to get yourself out of it.
How to outsmart the slump and be ready for all that February brings!
Here are a few fresh ways to keep your motivation going.
Create a “winter project”
Instead of focusing only on job applications, start a small project that excites you. It could be building a personal website, mentoring someone else with your experience, or sharing your expertise in a LinkedIn post. It keeps your momentum going, helps build your credibility and offers networking opportunities - all positive things for the job search.
Practice daily routines to reset negative thinking
When motivation dips, your mindset becomes your biggest support. Try a short daily ritual, like writing down three things you’re proud of or setting a simple goal for the day. These small moments of reflection can shift your energy and help you stay grounded. I do this in every season.
Change your job-search space
A change of scenery can do wonders. Add a plant or rearrange your workspace; even a few small tweaks can make your space feel more inspiring and lift your mood. Or find a different seat. Our English Job Networking Club meets weekly at various locations and collaborates to find jobs!
Focus on micro-goals
Big goals can feel overwhelming when your energy is low. Instead, set tiny, achievable actions like ’reach out to one new contact this week’ or ‘spend 15 minutes commenting on a few posts on LinkedIn’. Small steps!
Give back or pay it forward
Volunteering or mentoring can give you a sense of purpose. Helping others reminds you of your own strengths and keeps you connected. It feels good to help others, and this will shift the focus away from yourself.
Visualise spring
No, this isn’t something that's ‘way out there’, but as a visual learner, I like to motivate myself with visuals or imagery. The shoots are emerging in the garden, and spring will be here very soon. Think of your job search like planting seeds. The applications you send, the connections you make, and the skills you build now are all seeds that will grow into opportunities later. Keep nurturing them, and you’ll see results when the right time comes.
Be kind to yourself
Winter might test your patience, but it also builds your persistence, and that’s exactly what will help you land the right opportunity. Be kind to yourself, keep showing up, and remember that every small step you take now moves you closer to your goal. You have this!
