By Master Coach Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth, owner of The MBR Group and Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati, has shared her experience coping with Ohio’s winter. Despite entering the season with a positive outlook, she admits to struggling as winter progressed.
“Well, it has happened again. Even with my best efforts, I have succumbed to the effects of another winter in Ohio. This year I truly went into my not-favorite season with a much better attitude, finding ways to appreciate the change of seasons and what comes with those changes. But alas, by January, my resistance was weak, and I found myself right back in familiar territory, whining my way through the snow, the cold, and those lovely gray days!”
Roth describes how she rarely adopts a victim mentality but finds herself doing so during winter. She writes: “It is rare that I go victim, and when I do, it is more than a little uncomfortable. Winter is the time when I do, in fact, go into victim mode. Whining is annoying, whether it’s coming from someone else or, even worse, from myself. What to do??? How do I exist in a place of non-resistance, knowing full well that resisting only creates more of the same feeling?”
She also notes her attempts at solutions: “To be honest with you, I do not have a definitive answer, which is also a hard pill for me to swallow as I lean much more into solutions rather than problems. Last year, I tried one of those ‘happy lights,’ designed to give you what you are lacking in the cold gray months of winter. It was fine, and yet I didn’t really notice a big difference.”
Ultimately accepting her choice to live in Ohio despite its winters, Roth states: “Here’s the bottom line: I am choosing to live in this part of the country for multiple reasons and I do love it here. So here is what I have come to: I commit to being open to new ways to experience winter with more ease and fun!!”
She encourages others by saying: “Making a commitment has power. Where might you need to make a commitment? And remember we are now one day closer to spring!”
Roth serves on the Board of Directors for Ohio REALTORS and is past chairman of its Communications Committee.
Ohio REALTORS represents over 40,000 real estate professionals across all 88 counties through 30 local boards according to its official website. The organization supports members through advocacy efforts aimed at protecting property rights at both state and federal levels while promoting ethical standards within the industry and providing resources for education. Additionally,the association supports charitable initiatives such as scholarships via its foundation.
For information about coaching opportunities with Marilou Butcher Roth or details about Ohio REALTORS’ programs and support services for real estate professionals,visit their website.
