Okay friends, we made it. We made it through the holiday season. This is the time of year where I personally start to feel a bit glum. There’s so much excitement and things to keep busy from October – December and then… the long drawn out cold days until spring start to get to me. But not this year. I am not allowing it.
I shared some ways to beat the winter blues a while back in an effort to prepare myself for winter and this is sort of a follow-up and reminder for myself during the second half of winter. If you tend to feel a bit down during this time of year, I hope that this helps you to see the positives, too.
I am truly working on appreciating all seasons of life. Every single season has a purpose and even if winter isn’t your favorite, see it as a time to slow down and really take in some of the smaller pleasures around your home. Winter hibernation doesn’t have to be bad, so go ahead and give yourself the green light to enjoy it. Here’s some of the things that help me.
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— Candles. When the house smells warm and inviting, it automatically lifts my mood. I usually light a candle as soon as I wake up to set the mood for the day – I love my soy candles!
— Books. All the books. Fiction, non-fiction, audiobooks… whatever makes you happy. Make a list and get a library card if you don’t already have one.
— Soft blankets around the house. Throw blankets of all kinds draped over all couches/chairs/beds in the house. A cozy blanket while you relax, catch up on tv, or even work from home can make all the difference.
— Thick socks. If you are constantly cold, you are not going to enjoy yourself. Invest in some warm socks or knit yourself a pair, if that is something you’d love to do.
— Winter boots. Along the same line with socks, it is important to have the right winter gear to make shoveling a little less dreadful. I have these.
— Mugs. This might be a weird one, but personally I just love mugs. Find one that really makes you happy and use it every chance you get. It’s the little things, right?
— Warm drinks. Stock up on teas, coffee, espresso, cider… whatever your warm drink of choice is, have it on hand and indulge often. My go-to is a homemade mocha latte.
— Warm-scented essential oils. If you are not into candles or just prefer oils, this might speak to you. I tend to diffuse warmer smells during the winter – peppermint and almond are my favorites.
— Moisturizer. This almost feels like a luxury when I wash my face every night and mindfully apply moisturizer. Really take your time and let yourself feel like you are at the spa. It sounds silly, but I mean it.
I also like to use moisturizer on my feet before putting on socks to lock in the moisture. I do this before bed and wake up with crazy soft skin.
— Leggings or lounge wear. Staying home / working from home with my kids means I don’t usually put on a pair of jeans… but I also don’t want to sit in my pajamas all day. Leggings or lounge-pants that are not pajamas are my go-to and keep me cozy while feeling as put together as I can.
— Vitamin D supplement. This is essential if you live in a place that doesn’t have sun around the clock.
— Movies & cuddles. Watching movies and cuddling on the couch with my girls is one of my very favorite things to do. So we do more of it in the winter months and I don’t feel an ounce of guilt… because it is making us all a happier and closer. I can’t get enough of the cuddles.
— Baking treats. I make this butternut squash loaf at least 2-3 times a month, I swear. It’s delicious. It’s easy to make. And most importantly, it makes me happy. It makes the whole house happy, actually. Whatever your favorite baked treat is, go for it.
— Twinkle lights. I keep them up on shelves year-round because they make me happy always, but especially in the winter.
So there you have it. My happiness essentials to get through winter (while actually *gasp* enjoying it). With the right mindset and outlook on the season, there’s no room for unhappiness. xx bianca
