Escaping the Winter Blues & Embracing the Cozy Season
2 feet of snow…
Temperature of -20 degrees…
30 mph wind gusts…
2 dead car batteries…
That just about sums up last week in Northern Maine.
On my way to work this morning ~ after spending 10 minutes digging my car tires out from the snow in our driveway ~ I couldn’t help but daydream about days spent at the lake.
The warm rays of the sun on my arms and legs.
The sound of waves flowing onto the shore.
A bowl of fresh-picked fruit.
The smell of hamburgers cooking on the grill.
Vitamin D.
And then it dawned on me… the winter blues have set in. The holidays are long gone. The magic of the first snowfall has well passed. Now it just feels cold and dark. Many would wonder why someone would ever live here.
I often ask myself the same thing.
Then, I am reminded about the lack of poisonous plants and animals. The lack of severe storms such as hurricanes or tornadoes. The lack of traffic on my morning commute. The gorgeous colors in the fall. And the familiar smiling faces that greet me at my local coffee shop.
This is home.
So instead, I have chosen to write 10 simple ways that I am going to escape the winter blues & embrace the coziness of this season. I have chosen gratitude over discontentment ~ appreciation over resentment. What can I embrace about this season? What can I change about my everyday routine that would make my heart and attitude more grateful?
Let’s get into it:
1. Morning worship & devotions
“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” ~ Lamentations 3:22-23
“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in You I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.” ~ Psalm 143:8
I sincerely believe that the entire trajectory of your day will change by beginning your morning in worship. When I start my day in worship to our Father, I am more grateful, kind, patient, loving, joyful, and gentle ~ and my day is filled with so much peace. When I neglect this part of my routine, I notice I am more anxious, discontent, and bitter towards certain circumstances. If you are to take one piece of advice from this post, please let it be this one. There is nothing more important than abiding in the Word and presence of our God.
My Practical Application:
I like to play instrumental worship music in the morning as I am getting ready and doing my devotions. My favorite instrumental worship artist as of late has been William Augusto. For my daily devotions, I am currently going through “52 Weeks in the Word” by Trillia Newbell.
2. Start something new
The passion project you have been dreaming about? The craft you have wanted to start? The book you want to read? The activity or club you have wanted to join? The hobby you love to do, but never seem to have time for? Now is the time! Start something that makes you excited to wake up the next day.
My Practical Application:
I have started “The Beautiful Word”! I love writing and have been dreaming about sharing this piece of my heart for a while. When the days started to drag, I decided that it was time to do something new that I enjoyed and am passionate about. I have also started painting in my guided watercolor book by Emily Lex Studio!
3. Replace screen time with relationship-building activities
It is so easy to scroll mindlessly when you’re stuck inside during the winter months. There have been moments when I noticed that my husband and I were both on our phones for an extended time ~ neglecting the precious time we could be spending together. Instead, use this opportunity to build relationships with other people. Whether it’s your spouse, your family, or your friends ~ be creative and make the most of the time you have with them. From game nights, to doing a puzzle, or simply going through guided conversation cards ~ you will never regret spending time with the people whom you love.
My Practical Application:
My husband and I have started doing “at-home date nights”. As we would for a regular date night, we reserve that night to be together doing our favorite things. We put together our favorite snacks and drinks, and watch a movie or play games. If you are dating or married, I highly recommend getting “The Couples Game: That’s Actually Fun.” It sparked so many funny conversations and caused us to reflect on the wonderful memories we have together. We also love doing puzzles and playing Yahtzee!
4. Prioritize well-nourished home-cooked meals
During the winter months, it’s so easy to lose motivation to cook. It’s simpler to order pizza, drive through McDonald’s, or make a nice homemade pot of Kraft mac and cheese. With the lack of nutrients and vitamins our bodies are getting from the summer sun and fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as not getting as much physical activity in the winter time ~ our bodies need well-nourished meals. Not only will we begin to feel better, but our moods will improve as well.
My Practical Application:
Meal planning!! I can not stress the importance of meal planning enough. Every Sunday evening or Monday morning, I peruse Pinterest and my cookbooks for meals I will be making that week. Knowing that I have all the ingredients on hand and the recipe is ready to go, makes for a much smoother process the day of. After a long day of work and not knowing what to make for dinner ~ that is when you’ll find yourself reaching for the Kraft mac and cheese. For each meal, I make sure we have some sort of protein, vegetable, and a side. I always make a little extra of each meal, so my husband and I will have leftovers for lunch the next day. In the coming weeks, I will write a blog post about meal planning more in-depth.
5. Read
Trade the phone for a book! Go to your local bookstore or library and find a new cozy and cute book to read. Or, if you’re crazy ~ find a thriller or true crime.
My Practical Application:
I have recently registered for Kindle Unlimited and downloaded the app on my IPad. For fiction books, I have LOVED the series “The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion” by Beth Brower. The coziest series about a girl in London! There are 8 books and they are all on Kindle Unlimited right now! For Christian non-fiction, I have loved the books “Gentle and Lowly” by Dane Ortland and “Adorned” by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemoth. When I pick up a book rather than my phone before bed, I notice that I fall asleep easier and sleep more consistently through the night as well.
6. Take care of your body
For your skin ~ Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize! Find a quality moisturizer and make sure to use it in the morning and at night. For your body ~ make sure to move and stay as active as you can. There are so many at-home-workout videos available now, so even when it’s -20 degrees outside ~ you can still benefit from moving your body.
My Practical Application:
I have been using the “Great Skin” moisturizer and serum from Merit in the mornings and the “Honey Halo” moisturizer from Farmacy at night. I also LOVE the Laneige “Lip Sleeping Mask”. Can’t be having crusty lips. For workouts, I have been using the “Form” app for about a year now. It is my favorite way to exercise at home. They have everything from pilates, to strength, to full body, to postnatal workouts, and beyond. They have “no equipment” videos too, so if you don’t own dumbbells or resistance bands ~ don’t worry! They also have well-nourished recipe ideas included in the subscription.
7. Curate a cozy space
Light a candle, turn on soft lamps (overhead fluorescent lights are OUT), and cuddle up in a blanket. There is nothing better than being in my pajamas, in a cozy space, with a book, by 6:00 PM.
My Practical Application:
I recently invested in a quality candle from Crate & Barrel (Apotheke - Sea Salt Grapefruit 3-wick), and I cannot recommend it enough. It makes our living room and kitchen smell amazing, plus the soft candle glow at night is so cozy. I also try to keep our apartment tidy and picked up to really accentuate the cozy feel of the space (of course, you can’t be too hard on yourself ~ some days it just doesn’t happen). For the winter season, I try to incorporate soft fabrics in each room. Accent rugs, throw pillows & blankets, and a comfy duvet are all great examples.
8. Pajama sets
Do I even have to explain this one?
My Practical Application:
My favorite pajama sets are from the brand “Ekouaer” on Amazon.
9. Community / Bible Study Groups
Sometimes, it is super difficult to leave your house when you know that it’s cold and snowy outside. However, I encourage you to seek out community and get together with friends, family, or a church/bible study group consistently. Having something to look forward to throughout the week is crucial in attempting to beat the winter blues.
My Practical Application:
Every Thursday, I host a young women’s bible study. We have been going through the bible study “In View of God’s Mercies” by Courtney Doctor. I truly look forward to this time each week, and I am so grateful for the way God has brought together this community of young women.
10. Treat yourself to a couple of warm sweaters
Sometimes all it takes to get through the day is the feeling of a new, warm, soft, and cozy sweater. Pair it with leggings, or my favorite ~ linen pants ~ and you’re about to have the best day.
My Practical Application:
My top three sweaters of the season are the “A Single Moment Cardigan” from Roolee, a thrifted PacSun sweater from “Ocean Cove Thrift Co” (Instagram), and the SOFTEST sweater from the brand “Okiwam” on Amazon.
During this season, I often remind myself that soon, I won’t be cuddled on the couch with a book on a snow day. I won’t be wearing my favorite sweaters or Blundstone boots. I will make the switch from hot lattes to iced lattes. Soon, the beloved long-sleeve pajama set will be on the bottom of the pile. Many aspects of winter are dreadful ~ yet, there are many to be appreciated. Some people long for the sight of snow, while we roll our eyes at the coming forecast.
Let this be a lesson that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. If we spend our whole life longing for what will be ~ we will miss the blessing of what is.
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So, with all that being said ~ get off your phone, gather your people, grab a board game, a puzzle, or a book, or start a movie with all your favorite snacks in hand ~ and embrace the coziness of this season.
Hugs & Blessings,
Your friend,
Maggie <3