I’m writing this as a tremendous winter storm blankets much of the country. By the time February rolls around, dealing with the frigid winter weather can get old, fast. And by early March, you’ve been battling the cold for four months and may have a month or more to go. Rather than feeling caged in, why not take advantage of the extra time you’ve got at home now?
Instead of moping around, waiting for spring, use this time indoors to enhance your life and relationships. Check out these suggestions for inspiration on surviving the winter months.
- Snuggle up with a book or a favorite TV show. How often do you allow yourself to totally relax and live in the moment? Nothing recharges your batteries like immersing yourself in a good book or movie. How about working some sudoku, word find, word puzzles or jigsaw puzzles?
- Give yourself the gift of relaxation in your own home at least one or two evenings a week in the winter time. Your mood will improve and your spirits will lift.
- Work toward accomplishing your goals. Reviewing your objectives periodically will help you to stay focused and positive about life. What do you want to accomplish over the next few months? By the end of the year? Look over your goals and make any changes necessary.
- Once you’ve clarified that you’re on the path to achieve the goals you want, make a list of specific things you can do now to move toward those established goals. Will doing some reading each day help? What about checking into some college websites if you’re considering some online courses?
- Whatever your goals are, vow to make weekly progress toward them. Seeing some results can be a great mood-lifter during the dark winter months.
- Plan special family nights. This one is easy and fun. Whether it’s a movie the kids pick or an old-fashioned board game night, winter weather provides numerous opportunities to spend time together and bond as a family. How about doing a jigsaw puzzle as a family? Does crowding in the kitchen to bake sound nice? Teaching or learning to cook?
- Consider winter as the season to really get to know your kids’ interests by spending more time together. Feeling shut in isn’t so bad when you remember that you’ve got your loved ones with you.
- Learn a new hobby. If you’ve got a craving to learn how to do something, why not take time during the winter to educate yourself about the subject? Whether it’s learning photography or studying birds, you’ll bring joy and inspiration to your life when you delve into a new and fascinating subject.
- Once you’ve done your initial research, use the winter season to practice your new skill. By the time spring rolls around, you’ll be a resident expert in the topic of your choice.
Use your imagination and creativity to survive the winter months. Relax while reading or watching TV, evaluate and work toward your goals, re-connect with your kids and spouse, and delve into a new hobby. Before you know it, the frigid weather will disappear and your life will be richer, too!
If you live in a warm winter place, like I do, consider outdoor activities. Clean off the patio for a pleasant place to relax. Clean out your fall garden and plan your spring garden. Walk in the desert or on the beach. Read in the backyard. Neal and our Siamese do “cat yoga” under the trees in the backyard every morning. Here’s my favorite: Pretend to supervise your spouse, while reading, while he or she mows the winter grass!
