SAYAS BLOG

To describe someone as ‘cold’ implies a lack of feeling, that their behaviour is not in line with what is considered ‘normal’. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that when applied to women, those that do not fit into the happy, compliant tropes are seen as ‘cold’. When women do not live up to traditional notions of womanhood, it disrupts the social order set forward in society. This is the segue into my blog today, where will be unpacking the ice queen trope!

You may have heard of the term ‘ice queen’ before. But if you haven’t, here’s a basic definition:

“A descriptive expression employed to characterise callous women who exhibit minimal or non-existent emotional displays. These individuals present themselves as aloof, displaying limited compassion, tenderness, or affection towards others or anything outside their own self-interest in most circumstances.”  

Examples in popular media include Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada, Jadis the White Witch from The Chronicles of Narnia and Cersei Lannister from Game of Thrones. They often play antagonistic roles, where they are often ridiculed for their inability to show emotions.

In my research, I look at how slay queens function within postfeminist ideology, particularly in relation to black femme experiences. However, in black pop culture discourse, being ‘icy’ or ‘iced out’ has different connotations. For example, hip-hop culture popularised being ‘iced out’, which also implies being covered in jewellery. Therefore, being ‘dripped out’ is a signifier of conscientious consumption and the behaviours associated with it. Attributes associated with being perceived as cold and distant are often assigned to black women who are read as “b*tches”. Yet, the act of self-preservation functions as a means of what Lazar (2009) calls propelled entitlement – where the act of self-making functions as an exclusive space of consumption. To what extent can agency be seen as active resistance beyond being seen as a b*tch? For the most part, ‘ice queens’ in themselves wield powers that comes from said oppressive systems, and not in spite of it. Although their power functions as a necessary representation of transgressive femininity, there are deeper problems with how said power functions to internally regulate the status quo.

And what may that status quo be?

 It could be the icy castle they keep themselves locked up in, the turned-away gaze from suffering, the jewellery or luxury items at their disposal or blasé redundancy with which their efforts to change things end up being in vain. Slay queens are an archetype in which being an ‘ice queen’ would function to an end. Stoic sensibilities with no regard for community, and a prioritisation of the self become chillingly clear when considering the pursuit of capitalist endeavours. In the end, one thing is for certain – heavy is the head that wears the crown.  

There are only two constants in this life: the Earth will spin around the sun, bringing with it the changing of the seasons; and I will not stop talking about how seasonal changes can potentially affect your mental health. Summer heat can be dangerous, directly affecting our health and heightening the risk of violent crimes. Winter weather is also potentially dangerous for your mental health, but in a different way! At this point, you may be wondering why the weather hates you and you specifically, but that’s not something I’m at liberty to tell you, dear reader. What I can tell you is that certain mental health conditions appear to be adversely affected by winter weather conditions, and there are ways to mitigate this effect. While the summer heat can make good people go bad, the winter cold can make all people feel sad – or should I say SAD? That joke will make sense in a moment, but it still won’t be very funny or alleviate those winter SADs.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a relatively well-known condition whereby individuals experience depressive symptoms during the autumn and winter months. Symptoms include loss of appetite and motivation, and a sense of listlessness and fatigue. SAD is not the only mental health condition impacted by winter weather; research suggests that diagnoses of bipolar disorder, and substance abuse disorder may also increase during the winter months. Biologically, we can understand the relationship between winter weather and conditions such as SAD and bipolar disorder like so: during winter, a decrease in sunlight results in a deficiency of vitamin D, which disrupts serotonin, dopamine, and melatonin production in the brain. Decreased sunlight exposure disrupts healthy sleeping patterns, and can leave you feeling unmotivated and tired. Exposure to sunlight is incredibly important for your mental health.  

It’s also important to note that winter weather is not social weather, and most people tend to spend more time indoors when the temperature starts to drop and the sun sets earlier. The isolation that may come with winter can also contribute to incidence of SAD, bipolar disorder, and substance abuse disorder, stemming from a sense of loneliness and apathy. Research suggests that drug overdoses increase in winter, and incidences of substance abuse tend to do the same. Individuals may turn to substance abuse as a response to the psychological impacts of winter, or as a way to feel warmer, due to the effects of alcohol on the body. Lower temperatures may also drive individuals to increase the dosage of the substances they use, as the cold weather may dampen the perceived effects of these substances. Basically, don’t do drugs in the wintertime. Don’t do drugs at all, but especially not in winter.

While the effects of winter on mental health is relatively well-known, and slightly less prevalent in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s still an issue that many South Africans live with, and which many people tend to brush off and not fully engage with. The stigma surrounding mental health still exists, and can easily be internalised, making it difficult to acknowledge the full weight of what you feel. It’s important not to downplay your experience and to maintain healthy habits during the winter. Cold weather doesn’t have to leave you isolated – you can get in touch with friends and family over any of the many free social media and communication platforms we have available to us! Your health matters to the people around you and they will want to support you, so don’t be shy to reach out. Stay active and exercise – you can do it within the comfort of your own home! Exercising is not just about gaining muscle or losing weight, and it will benefit both your mind and your body. Working out works wonders for your mental health, is a great way to destress, and it has turned me into the absolute unit that I am today.

So, dress warm, stay safe, and thank you for reading my blog, dear reader. The weather might hate you, but I think you’re pretty cool.