I’ve come to embrace the changing of seasons & finding light in the dark, but I’m only human. Winter can wear on me once the hustle and bustle and excitement of the holidays pass. In an effort to fight the winter blues year after year, I surrender myself and seek the beauty of the next few months. The seasons are a cycle and these moments are fleeting, no matter how drawn out they feel. Blooms and bird songs and sunshine will come around again, but for now… we romanticize winter in all its powder-soft and frigid glory.
How to Romanticize Your Winter
1. Drink hot chocolate with marshmallows on a snow day for no other reason but simply to enjoy yourself and to slow down.
2. Leave lingering twinkle lights up after the holidays. I’m a big believer in twinkle lights year round, honestly.
3. Journal your favorite quotes about winter. Here are some of mine.
4. Chase winter sunsets. They are arguably more beautiful than summer sunsets.
5. Treat yourself to a new pair of cozy slippers or an extra fuzzy robe.
6. Simmer soup on the stove all day and serve with extra crusty bread. One of life’s greatest comforts. Some soup recipes to get you started: broccoli cheddar, lasagna soup, Italian wedding (vegan style), potato, corn, and dill chowder, chickpea noodle
7. Turn on a winter ambiance video.
8. Bake something new and sweet to fill your home with extra warmth and delicious smells.
9. Curate a playlist for the season. Include slow and gentle favorites that embody the nature of the slow season. You could also check Spotify for for the hundreds of already-made playlists.
10. Host a game night with friends and family instead of going out into the cold.
11. Snuggle up with your kids and read a chapter book together. A few great choices for this time of year: Harry Potter, The Very Very Far North, Mr. Popper’s Penguins, Heartwood Hotel
12. Put a simmer pot on the stove. My favorite combo is usually orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and clove. Rosemary, cranberry, orange, and cinnamon is also very lovely.
13. Take a morning walk in the snow. There is nothing like breathing in the crisp winter air.
14. Go outside while it’s snowing and soak up the stillness and silence. This is my favorite silence. It’s absolutely magical.
15. Make a winter TBR list and keep them bedside. A few favorites that would be nice this time of year: A Court of Thorns and Roses series, The Simple Wild, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue, The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living, The Christmas Tree Farm
16. Make a fort with blankets, add battery-operated candles/twinkle lights, and read said TBR list.
17. Treat yourself to a bouquet of flowers or fresh eucalyptus at Trader Joe’s to add a little life to the indoors.
18. Make a dried orange garland to brighten up your doorways or shelves.
19. Instead of rushing your morning coffee, savor the process. Make it yourself. Add fun flavors. Foam your milk. Enjoy the process. Then inhale deeply.
20. Remind yourself that dark days do not last forever. Without them, we wouldn’t appreciate the light.
21. Embrace your inner child and read Winter Is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer. This book serves as a great reminder for all ages.
22. Invest in window bird feeder for the winter birds. It’s fascinating and delightful to watch these sweet visitors everyday. I’m 99% sure that bird watching comes with aging.
23. Plant cabbage and kale in your window boxes for a pop of life and color.
24. Save money while leveling-up your homemade soups by making your own scrap vegetable stock.
25. If you are near, visit a beach in winter. You may not think “beach” in the dead of winter, but there is something so stunning, quiet, and serene when it is off-season.
