Winter after Christmas is not my friend. I prefer the welcoming whispers of darling Spring, the carefree warmth of Huckleberry Summer, and the calming breeze of dear, pensive Autumn to Winter's harsh whiteness and cruel winds. But I can't get rid of the stupid season, so I've developed a foolproof strategy to keep my spirits warm and alive through the cold and death of these trying times! Here are my simple, happy tricks to making it through the worst time of the year.
1) Go out of your way to indulge in warm, delicious beverages.
There is nothing like a warm, thick, chocolate-y drink to make you feel wonderfully toasty from head to toe. Sit back, relax, and cough up the five dollars at Starbucks for a delicious caramel latte. Buy yourself hot chocolate mix at the grocery store. Go through the Tim Horton's drive through after work and grab a scrumptious Cafe Mocha. Get some whipped cream with chocolate syrup all over it
— forget about those extra calories! Counting calories kills souls. Treat yourself.
2) Set yourself up with some fun, indoor activities.
If you're like me, then going outside when it's below forty five degrees is absolutely not an option. Put on some comfy clothes, fix yourself up a snack, and do a jigsaw puzzle instead. Challenge your roommates to a game of Go Fish. Play a board game. Whatever you do, whether you win or lose, make sure to have fun! My cousins and I played Clue together all winter break (a Christmas present from Chris!), and the sillier we got, the more fun we had. There is something truly lovely in the practice of simply sitting around a table, indoors, safe from the cold, with a handful of playing cards, surrounded by people you've known your whole life.
3) Resist the urge to wear sweatpants.
I know they're warm, comfortable, and I definitely know how miraculously forgiving they can be after two slices of pizza, three slices of cake, and three cookies for dinner. But one day of wearing sweatpants so easily turns into two, then three, and before you know it, you don't even remember what it feels like to put on real pants! Remember in Mean Girls, when Cady Heron says "I know it may look like I had become a bitch, but that's only because I was acting like a bitch"? Wearing sweatpants every day is sort of the same thing... it will look like you don't care anymore, because you're acting like you don't care anymore! The line between acting like you don't care and actually not caring, is a bold line to flirt with, and it is NOT a good habit to get into.
Our habits define our character, and getting into the habit of laziness is NEVER good... whether it be in regard to our wardrobe or any other aspect of our lives. And besides, there are so many cute alternatives, like jeans, skirts (with stockings underneath, of course!) and nice dress pants.
4) Embrace your solitude.
The wintertime slows down a significant portion of almost everyone's socializing... walking is miserable, driving is a hassle, and putting on your coat and boots is a hassle anyways. Don't hibernate yourself away from the world, but don't feel pressured to hang out and go out as much as you probably did during the warmer months. Take some time for yourself! Take a hot bath, read a novel, watch that movie you've been meaning to stream on Netflix for weeks now. Take advantage of the slowness of the season.
5) Get yourself a cuddle buddy.
And I don't mean boyfriends or girlfriends or puppies or kitties... I mean stuffed animals! With their fuzzy fur, glass eyes, and endearing stares, what's not to love? For about two years now I've been cuddling up and confiding in my beautiful koala named Coral. Some of you may be thinking this is a bit childish, and you may be right, but I think it's a lovely sentiment and a wonderful outlet for overactive imaginations like mine. To quote
The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, "Real isn't how you are made ... It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." Too beautiful!
Enjoy!
