The Ultimate Plan To Make Winter Suck Less (And Maybe Enjoy It Even)

WE HAVE OFFICIALLY ENTERED THE SEASON WHERE IT IS DARK ALL THE TIME UNTIL FOREVER. No, but seriously, I almost cried yesterday when it was dark before 5pm and I started missing our late evening summertime walks with my family. I had to take out my journal that I made a few years ago in a winter meltdown and read it again to remind myself all the ways to enjoy winter more (and chip away at my hatred for it).

I can honestly say I have always been one of the most miserable human beings in existence once Winter hits. I hate the cold weather and I overall hate the snow (I like how PRETTY it looks when I don’t have to go out in it??) and the slushy sleet and the cold temperatures that hurt my body. I hate taking my dog out in said awful weather, I hate going anywhere with a child to bundle and get in the car in the cold weather. I HATE LIVING IN A COLD CLIMATE.

Even with all that hatred, I have also always loved certain THINGS about the cold weather seasons, but overall I just always found myself very grumbly and miserable and I really, really struggled.

But then I got sick of being miserable and hating winter every year (because it’s not going anywhere unless I move) so I devised a plan that has helped me (and help any of you other winter haters) to make winter suck less — and hey maybe actually learn how to love winter….but at the very least be able to cope with winter.

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Tips For How To Enjoy Winter More

For me, when it comes to enjoying winter, it’s an EVERY YEAR PROCESS. As I said at the beginning of this post, I have to look over this list of tips to embrace winter and survive winter EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

I wish I could say that I LOVE winter now but so far that hasn’t happened. However, I’ve definitely been able to make winter better with these tips and strategies.

So let’s get on with it, fellow winter-strugglers, and work on getting ourselves to a better place:

1. Make a list of things I love about winter

I did this a couple years ago and it really helped. Mindset really is huge for trying to learn to enjoy winter because I think coping comes first and, for me, coping involves my mindset.

I would pull my list out on days I struggled and it would help remind me of the things that are delightful about it or that I can’t enjoy during other seasons so that I can embrace those things.

It’s the same concept of a gratitude list basically and I know some people roll their eyes but this is an important part of the process — picking out the things you actually enjoy about winter or looking at all the things you can’t do in any other season.

It’s much easier to not be miserable if I actively think about the things I DO love which are plentiful — even if they are really, really small things.

So, for example, my list looks like this:

• comfy oversized sweaters and leggings
• fuzzy socks
• sitting in watching Netflix all day and not feeling bad about wasting a nice sunny day like I would in the summer
• not shaving my legs every other day like I would if I was wearing dresses or shorts every day
• all the hot beverages!!
• watching snow fall (nope nope I won’t think about having to shovel my car out or take my dog out or having to drive in it)
• no mosquitoes or bees driving me nuts
• busting my comforter out (I really think I sleep better all snuggled under that thing)
• snuggling under blankets and reading (or just snuggling)
• BOOTS! SLIPPERS!
• Christmas season — all the lights and decorations
• all the chili and soups
• being lazy and slowing down a bit

For real, I want you to do it. Go buy yourself a new notebook and write this list down for reference later on.

That last thing I put on the above list “what I enjoy” list is important — Will and I tend to slow down in the winter. When it’s nice out we are always out and about even if it is just to take walks or just sit outside somewhere. I always feel like I need to be DOING something.

In the summer (or whenever the weather is nice out) I feel like I’m wasting my life away inside if I just spend time doing nothing.

We also have less plans with people in the Winter — no BBQs or festivals or things. So what a perfect time to learn something I’ve always wanted to learn or take up a new hobby!

Some things I’ve come up with for winter:

• work on my baking skills
• Start up relearning Spanish — I took Spanish for YEARS back in high school and college and then for our trip to Madrid I started using Duolingo again to brush up and then I got busy and didn’t keep up with it.
• Practice yoga (I’ve dabbled here and there with Yoga With Adrienne)
• work on my photography skills (and actually learn how to use my DSLR)
• make homemade soups

3. Have a more appropriate wardrobe

I always remember this quote, “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” or something along those lines. It’s a Scandinavian principle, I believe, AND IT IS SO TRUE. (There’s even a parenting book with the same title, okay).

I mean, there totally is bad weather and no matter what ensemble you put on it’s still going to be inclement weather and cold as anything. BUT I’ve noticed, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve been buying more appropriate clothing for winter and it REALLY does make a difference.

A couple years ago I FINALLY invested in a really, really warm winter coat and that helped TREMENDOUSLY when I did have to be outside. I always bought really cheap and cute jackets that were NOT WARM at all, which made the cold awful, but spending $$ on a really warm jacket was key. 

My go-to throughout my 20’s was to just put a light cardigan over short sleeve blouses and tank tops and call it a winter outfit because I hated winter clothes. NO WONDER I WAS ALWAYS SO COLD AND MISERABLE.

I’ve started perfecting my winter weather wardrobe in my 30’s and it really has been a game-changer for both when I’m inside to be cozy and warm and when I do venture outside. This article is an awesome help for being warm outside in the cold.

Let me help you with those cold weather essentials — I’ve kind of nailed my winter wardrobe lately:

Things you need: super warm jacket, warm socks and slippers, wool socks for outside, fleece lined leggings/cozy sweatpants, oversized cozy sweaters, comfy sweatshirts, hats/scarves/gloves that are actually warm and the coziest pajamas.

Some of my current winter faves:

4. Embrace hygge

Many years ago I stumbled upon the concept of hygge while reading a magazine and was intrigued. NOW there are a ton of books dedicated to the concept of hygge which is awesome because I have been itching to delve into what hygge is but I really want to stay grounded in what hygge REALLY is!

You can read a little bit about it here or check out these books for more inspiration:

 

I love how the article I linked to doesn’t make it seem like a lifestyle or something you can BUY or a certain style but it is rather a feeling. I started thinking about what to me evokes the feelings of coziness, charm or feelings of special-ness for me.

I made some private Pinterest boards to help me like a ~vision board~ and here’s a couple of the things I came up with based on all the things I DID like about winter or that evoked those feelings above in me.

• Create a cozy blanket and pillow fort to read in: Some of my favorite moments that I savor, especially since becoming a mom, are the times I can get comfy under my blankets and read. It really is something that feels so cozy and like all is right in the world. Especially when I share the moment with my 3 year old who loves books.

• Buy some special winter-y cocoas and teas to drink: There is nothing that feels more cozy to me than sitting down with a warm beverage but so many times I do it while multi-tasking. I want to buy some special (maybe even more expensive than my every-day tea) to drink ONLY while sitting and doing nothing.

• Plan a casual dinner with my girlfriends and their families: I’m thinking a laid back ~throw something in a crockpot~ sort of dinner. Enjoying time with my best friends and their families seriously always makes me grateful — always lots of laughs and good conversation. It’s always such a special time to me to spend time with them as we all have kids and are so busy now.

Also does this game not look like the coziest thing ever to break out with friends?

• Buy new candles and actually light them on a regular basis: I just find candles to be cozy and evoke warm and fuzzy feelings. But I have a terrible tendency to forget to light them unless someone is coming over.

• Have a coffee date with a friend at least once a month: I love everything about meeting up for coffee with a friend — the drinks, the ambiance, the conversation, the smell of the coffee shop. Especially in the winter what a lovely feeling it is to walk into a nice cozy cafe for a warm drink after being outside in the cold.

• Break out our flannel sheets: I was thinking about what a simple luxury it is to have warm & cozy sheets! Our flannel sheets have been life-changing, I tell you!!

• Make a tradition to spend 1 weekend morning to have a special at-home breakfast: One of my favorite things is always to be in our pajamas and Will making pancakes while I make some coffee or tea. It’s super cozy. Some recipes on my list to make this Winter in addition to our staples (chocolate chip pancakes, homemade breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos with chorizo from Whole foods/spicy potatoes/scrambled eggs in them) are: Gingerbread french toast, cinnamon roll pancakes, and this breakfast casserole.

 

5. Throw it back to childhood

I didn’t hate Winter as a kid. I really didn’t. Perhaps it’s because I wasn’t forced to shovel a car out or drive in the miserable weather or because the fun of being out in the snow trumped how cold I was. BUT EITHER WAY…I didn’t always hate winter.

I used to love things like:

• sledding
• building a snowman
• building a snowfort
• take walks in the snow
• playing with my dog in the snow
• drinking hot cocoa after playing in the snow
• eating allllll the grilled cheese and soup in the winter
• skiing
• snow days staying in my pajamas

So I started doing all the things I loved doing as a kid. I play with Riley in the snow, we plan luxurious pajama days and hide away inside eating grilled cheeses and soups, we drink lots of hot cocoa.

Find things you loved as a kid and incorporate them into your winter days as a grownup. Maybe have a grilled cheese throw down to see who can make the best grownup grilled cheese. Have a themed movie marathon like my sister and I would on some snow days. Play out in the snow with your kid or dog.

Finding that small spark of childhood winters help to make adult winters more enjoyable!

6. Make an ultimate cozy winter reading list

Seriously, I make the most epic to-be-read list for Winter! Like super cozy feeling books but also like books from favorite authors that will feel like ~home~ and definitely some cozy romances!!

ALSO this Winter I’m totally going to read books I loved as a kid. I feel like nothing evokes hygge, to me, like settling in with familiar friends.

Let’s be real — reading makes every season better but sitting inside in your nice warm home and reading books is a foolproof to make winter less miserable — especially when you can.

Need some reading inspiration? Try to tackle this list of books becoming movies in 2021. Or maybe try one of these new young adult books for 2021?

7. Force yourself outside

As much as I would always try to minimize my time outside in the Winter, I realized maybe what I need IS to breathe some fresh air and try to get that Vitamin D for the little time we do have it.

And science agrees with me — it’s good for your mood and your health.

So I bundle up (with all those WINTER APPROPRIATE CLOTHES I AM BUYING) and take a walk or take Riley to the park.

Take advantage of the days that are a little warmer. Bundle up and get out. Plan activities that will take you out of the house sometimes instead of hibernating all the time and then getting so stir crazy. Pick one of these 100 outdoor winter activities to do.

8. Look into light therapy lamps

I have friends who SWEAR by light boxes for Seasonal Affective Disorder which I’m pretty sure IS some of my (and maybe your) problem when it comes to winter. Consult your doctor before doing so but they do seem to be a good option to add to your arsenal.

Sidenote: if you do think it is depression — seek help! Winter can be SO hard in this regard and I don’t think any of these things on this list are more important than talking to a professional. Truly.

9. Start a Spring Countdown

I still think of this post a friend wrote a while ago because I struggled so much and I related.

I can do all of those things I’ve listed above but a reminder that IT WILL be over is sometimes needed. Winter will end, spring will come. The days will start to get longer. Just like it has before and will continue to do.

Counting down til it gets lighter and winter is over sometimes is the best medicine. KNOWING you’ve survived it before helps tremendously in making winter more enjoyable.

It’s literally only a season. Repeat it: IT IS ONLY A SEASON (also my motherhood mantra). YOU CAN DO THIS.

10. Make a “look forward to” list

Related to that last one: I think, for me sometimes, spending time planning things to look forward to helps me — even though I know being in the present IS important and probably a better coping mechanism.

But sometimes I just need to focus on all the good things to come to take my mind off how much I hate winter.

Maybe that looks like:

• planning a weekend trip for when the weather gets a little nicer
• looking into vacations for summer
• looking at spring/summer fashion trends and picking some new pieces to add to your wardrobe that you can’t WAIT to wear
• looking at upcoming local festivals and events to add to your calendar
• get tickets to something you enjoy: concert, a sports game, a play, etc.

Or maybe you PLAN a January or February special trip or event and you can have that to look forward to.

HAVE THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD TO. That’s the key.

Whether it’s things that fall in the Winter months or further in the future…make it a point to plan those things.

11. Create a winter bucket list

I always love making seasonal bucket lists especially now that I have a kid — even easier to add things to the bucket list! Pinterest has some great inspiration for these that helped me get started.

Having a specific set of things to check off a list (that you WANT to do) will help focus my attention and is part of that “have something to look forward to ” concept above.

12. Stop talking about how much winter sucks

Honestly, this is the biggest thing I realized. The more I complain about it or think about the things I don’t like about winter it snowballs into the biggest snowball of negativity you’ve ever seen.

I swear complaining begets complaining for me in the winter. Talking about how miserable winter is….makes it more miserable.

It’s sounds simple but it’s been one of the hardest of these things to tackle on my list.

So this is my plan of attack to make winter more enjoyable!! I would LOVE to hear your strategy to make winter suck less! Or if you are a Winter lover….tell me what you love about Winter! SHOW ME THE JOY OF WINTER & HOW YOU ACTUALLY ENJOY WINTER!

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