We talk a lot about “pushing through” and “staying disciplined” when the weather gets cold. But what if, instead of fighting the winter chill, we leaned into it?
In Florida, we don’t get the snowdrifts, but we do get that damp, grey “blah” that makes you want to hit the snooze button indefinitely. If you’re feeling the mid-January slump, it might be time to stop sprinting and start romanticizing. Here are five ways to embrace the cozy side of the season and nourish your soul until the spring thaw.
Lean Into “Hygge” Vibes
If it’s going to be dark at 5:30 PM, make that darkness work for you. Swap the overhead “big lights” for candles, fairy lights, or a salt lamp. Pull out the heavy knit blankets and create a “reading nook” that actually makes you excited to stay inside. Romanticizing the cold starts with changing your environment from “gloomy” to “sanctuary.”
The “Low and Slow” Kitchen
There is something deeply therapeutic about a pot of soup simmering on the stove all afternoon. Winter is the time for “slow food:” hearty chilis, roasted root vegetables, and crusty bread. Not only does it warm up the house, but it nourishes your body in a way a quick summer salad just can’t. Pro tip: Make a double batch and freeze half for those nights when the “blah” feeling is extra heavy.
Intentional Hibernation (Self-Care)
In the summer, we’re constantly doing. Winter is the season for being. Use the shorter days as an excuse to go to bed an hour earlier, dive into that 500-page novel you’ve been ignoring, or level up your skincare routine (because the winter chill is no joke for your skin). Treat your rest as a scheduled appointment that is just as important as your workout.
Puppy Snuggle Therapy
We know that our pets are the ultimate masters of the winter season. They don’t worry about being “productive”; they worry about finding the sunniest spot on the rug. Take a cue from your furbabies. Spend twenty minutes on the floor just playing or snuggling. It’s impossible to feel “blah” when you’re covered in dog hair and wagging tails.
The “Micro-Adventure”
You don’t have to run a 5K to enjoy the crisp air. Sometimes, romanticizing the cold looks like a slow walk through downtown St. Augustine with a hot local coffee in hand, or browsing a local bookstore for an hour. Seek out the small joys that only exist in this season, the lack of crowds, the crisp sunsets, and the excuse to wear your favorite boots.
Winter isn’t a season to be “endured”, it’s a season to be savored. By slowing down and focusing on comfort, nourishment, and rest, you’ll find that the “blah” months actually have a magic all their own.
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