The change from autumn to winter is an unpleasant one. Thankfully, this unpleasantness can be attributed to one main perpetrator, one that can be subdued with ease: tea and books.
On technical levels, the change in sunlight affects the production of melatonin; too much melatonin causes the body to feel more tired than usual thus evoking seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Amid this onslaught of exhaustion, one can develop heart-rendering bleakness characterized by an opaque view of life. Hopelessness and disparity cause one to lose morale in everyday life, otherwise known as existential dread.
Nonetheless, sometimes all it takes to break free from this rut is something familial that capitalizes on the focal point of enjoying the small things in life; something like tea for instance.
I say that no one else could have expressed this sentiment far more beautifully than Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky in his 1864 novella, Notes from Underground, as the so-called man from underground once said, “I say let the world go to hell, but I should always have my tea.”
The man from Underground has no name nor redeeming qualities due to his misanthropic ways prohibiting him from forming meaningful connections with those around him. His isolation causes him to become far too prideful for someone of his stature: spiteful and ultimately nothing. But it’s not like he’s ignorant of these traits he’s hyper-consciously aware that they separate him from society.
To be accurately aware of one’s humanity is a curse. It causes cynicism to bloom in one’s self, allowing the existential dread to seep in, thoroughly separating the individual from the rest of the world.
Albeit cruel in retrospect, sometimes all one needs in the harsh turning point of the weather to ground themselves is to take in assurance in the unfortunate circumstances of others. Mellow in tone, The Man from Underground allows the reader to reflect on their own life; that whatever they currently feel is a universal ailment and the blanket of melancholy they feel will defrost as soon as winter takes its leave.
With notes of mellow sweetness and grounding hints of honey and vanilla, Kenya silverback white tea is the perfect accompaniment to Notes from Underground.
It’s not just oolong tea that foregoes the process of harvesting, wilting, and oxidation, but the human spirit as well.
In theory, the human spirit is born untainted by the harshness of the world and slowly transforms to align itself with the tumultuous way of life, which is a view conveyed in both seasonal Depression, oolong tea, and in Osamu Dazai’s No Longer Human.
Narrated in first person by the main character, Oba Yozo, No Longer Human painstakingly plunges a knife deep into the reader’s heart as one of Dazai’s most impeccable works.
In the words of senior Shaelyn Benson, “No Longer Human is a very raw narrative that does a good job at depicting human nature that isn’t sugar-coated, the realism and honesty of the novel is what makes it an interesting read.”
Topic heavy with themes like self-isolation, depression, and morphine usage, this novel is the perfect existential read as it juxtaposes morality with downfall and degradation all through the tongue of a man who’s ill-fitted for society.
After giving the reader a glimpse into his childhood, Yozo commentates on his life in the present by asserting that “Mine has been a life of much shame. I can’t even guess myself what it must be to live the life of a human being.”
If No Longer Human is to be paired with oolong tea then the life that Yozo has led up to that point is analogous to the process of brewing oolong tea as whatever humanity Yozo feels is released leaving him a shell of a human; much like how the compounds of tea leaves are released in the brewing process.
For further reading, the book Nausea by Jean-Paul Sarte is recommended. These titles can be found in the Oswego Public Library, both the Oswego campus and the neighboring Montgomery campus
Self-isolation and existential dread are often emotions that are evoked during the shift from autumn to winter leaving one in a slump. However, there are things like tea and literature that can guide one back to an assured foundation serving as items to reflect and grow with the ultimate goal of bringing back purpose and meaning into one’s life during the trivialities of winter.
42Fiftys very own post-niche internet micro-ecelebrity (mid geoguesser player) that lived through a chronic gas leak that was going on in their house for a little over a year without their knowledge. Their only qualification is that they bring a silly goose vibe to the geese party.
adding to my TBR as we speak. True staples for sad girl winter, amazing writing as always!