Are you finding joy in winter? Or are you booking a trip to warmer climates and counting down to the days to spring? As a born and bred New Englander, I get it, this time of year can be a challenge. The days are so short. We wake up and it’s dark. We finish work and it’s already dark. It takes twenty minutes to get out the door as you layer on boots, jackets, hats, scarves, gloves. By the middle of January you are already done. And winter is just getting started!
If we are actually going to enjoy the season, and not be totally burnt-out before it even begins, we need to focus on finding joy in winter. It’s there, I promise! I’m sharing 4 ways I find joy in winter to avoid the cold weather burnout and actually appreciate the season.
Enjoy a winter drink
There are certain flavors that taste better in different seasons. Coconut in summer, peppermint in winter. Embrace your seasonal taste buds! Pick up the ingredients to make your favorite seasonal drink. It could be a winter cocktail. This sugar cookie martini sounds pretty good to me! My winter drink of choice is a chocolate peppermint tea I found at Stonewall Kitchen a few years ago. It’s perfect for cozy nights on the couch.
Find a cozy spot
In the summer time I love an outdoor patio. In the wintertime I love a dark, cozy bar, preferably with a roaring fireplace. Lucky for me, there are two spots in my hometown that are perfect for a winter girl’s night out.
What local places can you visit that are warm and cozy?
If you’re not ready to bundle up and head out in the cold, make your own home a cozy spot. Get a heated blanket. Put on your comfiest sweatpants. Light a pine scented candle. Grab that winter drink and put on the fireplace channel.
Wear fun accessories
If we are going to have to put on 3 layers of clothes just to take the dog for a walk, we might as well look stylish while we do it! Every year when I pull out my winter accessories basket I rediscover all my hats, gloves, and scarves. Don’t you love that feeling of “Oh, I forgot about this!” I have a few scarves that I switch out depending on my mood. But my favorite accessory, the one item that brings me the most joy in winter, is my STIK hat. I love the beautiful teal green color and the knitted pattern. Best of all, it doesn’t stretch out of shape. Wearing accessories we love, even in the bitter cold, brings us a little bit of joy!
Pick up a winter hobby (or two)
The best part of winter, though, are the hobbies that can only happen when it snows and gets cold out. Having winter hobbies means I actually look forward to the colder days. My favorite activity is skiing. I’ve been hitting the slopes since I was 5 years old. Skiing is a great way to get outside, visit new places, and spend time with my friends.
If the idea of flying down on a hill on two think pieces of wood terrifies you, try one of my other favorite winter hobbies:
- Snowmobiling
- Ice skating
- Snow shoeing
- Cross country skiing
These long, dark, and cold winter days can be hard. We lack motivation to get much done. Yet, we still have just as much on our to do list as any other time of year. Burnout can come much faster this time of year. If we embrace the special elements of the season, we can find joy in winter and avoid the burnout.
Do you find yourself slipping into burnout easier in winter? Book a Power Hour with me to create a strategic plan for navigating and saying good-bye to burnout.
Be the first to comment