If, like me, winter is your least favorite season, and especially if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, you may have some trouble finding joy in the winter. I know I do. Winter is just the boring time betwixt Christmas and the beginning of Spring – which here could be anywhere from the middle of February to the end of May. (Yes, that’s right. Last year we had the never ending cold weather, two days of Spring, and then Summer. Thanks, Climate Change.)
I find that February is the most difficult month to get through. By this point in the season I’m heartily sick of the cold. I’m dreaming of Spring and all it’s bountiful possibilities.
Yet there are still ways we can enjoy ourselves and find joy in the depths of Winter. Here I have a few ideas to help you get through the rest of the season in, at least, a slightly less miserable way.
How to Find Joy in Winter
1. Practice Hygge
Hygge is a trendy concept these days. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a sort of commercialized version of the Danish word hygge, which is the concept of coziness in the winter. It is the word for “the mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment”.
The trend to embrace the “hygge” mood involves making your space as cozy and comfortable as possible. This often involves lots of soft cozy blankets, throw pillows, string lights, candles, and a fire in the hearth.
You can call it “hygge” or you can call it just plain ol’ cozy. Some ways you can increase your feelings of coziness at home:
- Embrace soft lighting. Low lights in the evenings, candlelight, light from a glowing fire in the hearth, or even strings of Christmas lights can make your living space feel cozier.
- Enjoy warm drinks. Hot chocolate, tea, hot cider, or mulled wine are delicious traditional winter fare for a reason.
- Surround yourself with cozy textures. Thick knit throws and pillows, sherpa lined blankets, and even fleece are not only warm but can feel luxurious. Having good throws available on your couch makes it feel extra cozy.
- Wear warm clothes. Put on a huge knit sweater and some fluffy slippers when you’re at home.
- Invite over some friends and family. Being present with your loved ones in your cozy setting is the “comfortable conviviality” part of hygge. Sit around and talk while enjoying hot chocolate, or play cards or board games. It’s about being present in the moment, so switch off your phone’s notifications and enjoy the time with your loved ones.
2. Go outside for a walk
Going out for a walk and getting some sun on your face and some fresh air, even for a few minutes, is a great way to brighten your mood. Doing this in winter can be a little tricky, what with blizzards and polar vortexes and such. If your weather conditions allow, however, try to get outside at least once a day.
Taking a walk outside has many benefits. Being in the sun, even for just a few minutes, can boost your levels of Vitamin D. This is essential to your health, especially bone health. Exercise also burns calories, so take that walk before enjoying your hot cocoa. Studies also show that getting outside for a walk can boost your mood. So please, give it a try!
It’s very tempting to stay inside your warm home in your slippers under your blanket as much as possible (enjoying the “hygge” you created after reading the point above), but going outside is necessary for your physical and mental health. If it’s warm enough, not icy, and the sun is out, bundle up and head out for a brisk walk for a few minutes. You may return home a human-shaped popsicle, but I guarantee it’s for your own good.
3. Declutter your home
Winter is the perfect time to declutter your home. This year is an especially good time, since Netflix launched Marie Kondo’s show, Tidying Up, on January 1. Since you’re stuck inside during the cold, use the time to tidy your space. I recommend the Konmari Method, and I’ve written several posts about my progress so far. Any decluttering method will do, however, if you just want to free yourself of some crap. (Click here to read my post about what to get rid of if you’re not ready to try Konmari.)
The turn of the new year is a great time to go through your home and purge anything that is broken, that you never use or wear, or that has negative feelings attached to it. Think about what things in your life you want to bring with you going forward into this new year. All the other crap that doesn’t bring you joy needs to go!
Tidying your home can bring you a great sense of accomplishment. It can also help reduce stress and anxiety you feel in your home, because the background noise of the clutter won’t be bothering you anymore!
4. Take up an indoor craft and/or learn a new skill
Winter is a great time to take up a craft that can be done indoors. If there’s something you’ve wanted to learn, or a hobby you’ve put away for a while, now is a great time to pick it up.
Crafts and other hobbies are great things to do in general. Anything that keeps your mind busy is better than just sitting in front of the TV. Exercise your brain by learning a new skill. Like decluttering, crafting can bring you a great sense of accomplishment, which can bring you joy.
Textile and needlecraft hobbies, such as sewing, quilting, crochet, knitting, and embroidery are things you can do in the comfort of your home, sometimes while watching TV. (And if you are going to watch TV, I strongly advise you to multi-task and perform another task at the same time. It keeps you from completely zoning out and prevents you from mindlessly snacking while watching.)
Those aren’t the only things you can do though. Practice your cooking and baking skills. (Winter is the perfect time to have your oven going.) Get some writing done. Play an instrument. Take an online course and begin learning a new skill.
5. Plan your Spring garden
Gardeners all over the country right now are planning their Spring gardens (and by the time this post is published, some will have started working on their gardens in earnest, I’m sure). If you’re a novice gardener, as I am, now is a great time to do a little planning before Spring.
If you’re new to gardening this year and want to start, first figure out what you’d like to plant. Perhaps you’ve been dreaming of an endless supply of zucchini for stir fry’s. Or do you want to grow pumpkins (raises hand)? Have you fantasized about a yard full of sunflowers or zinnias or daisies?
Take into account how much sunlight you get, because this will affect what will grow on your property. Decide what type of garden you want. Vegetable garden or flower garden – or both? Do you want a small container garden or some larger raised beds?
Start planning where you want to put your raised beds – they need to be in your most optimal sunlight. Consider if you want to build a trellis for your climbing vines.
I’ve recently become interested in potager gardening and permaculture, and I’m reading up on how a beginner like me can implement these strategies. If you are interested in increasing the biodiversity of your property as well, there is no better time to start learning than the present!
The internet has tons of great resources for gardening. Also check your local library! If you have a local nursery, check and see if they offer classes. Watch gardening videos on YouTube for inspiration.
Before you even know it, Spring will be here, and it will be time to start planting!
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