A transparent umbrella has somehow saved my mental health from the UK winter.

So we're all just trying to survive this lovely unusually bleak weather spell, and recent forecasts show no end in sight for at least another two weeks. This is gonna sound so stupid, but I think owning a transparent umbrella has actually helped me get through it.

I get easily affected by SAD and I found myself not wanting to leave the house lately as I knew I'd only be blasted by cold air and rain. I had to constantly hold an umbrella canopy horizontally so as to battle the wind, and I couldn't see anything, it's just bleak.

I got a cheap transparent umbrella for like a tenner last week, and now I'm actually enjoying going outside again.

First of all, you can actually SEE through this thing when walking. Even if you're holding it directly horizontally to battle some wind. I enjoy having a field of vision again, which is already a great life improver.

Secondly, seeing the sky and surroundings while raining has somehow restored some whimsy into my life.

I work in the City of London, and there's something beautiful about the rainy pavement and the lights reflecting on the skyscrapers, especially as the sun is setting. The droplets of water on the umbrella canopy make everything sparkle when I look up.

(alas, it's a lot harder to capture in a photo)

I also had a nice walk in the park last week and really enjoyed seeing the green trees through the canopy, with rain pattering down gently.

It feels so stupid to say that such a small thing changed the game, but if anyone else is struggling with mental health this winter, give it a shot!