I don't handle winter well. Sometimes I don't even recognize myself. No really...

I once knew a man named Dave who, one summer, was at our house a lot, updating our kitchen. I knew him and his personality pretty well then. By the fall, the project was done and we didn't really see him again. Until mid-winter, when he came by to deliver a new door handle or something.

When he knocked on the door, we almost didn't recognize him. He looked like a stranger. It was like there were two Daves: Summer Dave and Winter Dave.

I was weirded out then, but the next winter it hit me: I'm like Dave! I fully identify as a summer person--sundresses, beach lounging, sitting on the deck at dusk. That's me. In winter, under thick sweaters and without the kiss of the sun, I can sometimes feel like a stranger to myself.

This all sounds odd, I know. But the winter blues, even if this isn't what they normally look like, are real. If you've been feeling blue, or you think you have seasonal affective disorder SAD (seasonal affective disorder), you're not alone. And there are things you can do to help.

For me, it was getting on a plane for a few days in Miami. If it's really strong, you may need light therapy or another treatment. Comment below if you'd like more recommendations...I'm happy to share. And thanks for sticking with me even when I'm "Winter Kara."

Subscribe to my Special Insiders Group for more of my #therapy tips + personal stories. http://eepurl.com/dnbUWL

More to come!