The calendar flips, the bills arrive, the skies stay gray, routines get disrupted, and the world news can feel like a daily stress test. Add the lingering fatigue from “end-of-year everything,” and even strong, capable people can find themselves thinking: “Why does this feel harder than it should?”

While Vancouver’s natural beauty shines in the summer, the rainy winter months can take a toll on mental health. Fortunately, there’s a delightful escape in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Park and only a short distance from Kitsilano: the Bloedel Conservatory.