You can’t stop it… and you can’t hide from it…
Winter is here, and it’s going to be around for a few months. You can’t change the freezing temps, icy roads, or never-ending shoveling coming your way, but you can change how you view winter. For some people, winter is their favorite season. What do they know that the rest of us haven’t quite figured out yet?
Check out these three reasons why you too can fall in love with winter!
1.Winter days just scream homemade soup and baked treats
Cold weather, wind howling at the windows, sleet pounding the pavement as you trudge home… but then you open the front door and the tantalizing aroma of a simmering beef stew and fresh-baked bread literally stops you in your tracks! Winter is the perfect time to indulge in crockpot meals and soups that are hot, hearty, and satisfying. Warm bread or rolls on the side are like a little hug that comforts you after a long day. And getting everyone involved in baking a homemade pie, cookies, or other desserts is truly the icing on the cake.
2. Because snow is beautiful…
There’s something magical about snowflakes coming down as you walk through a park or as they melt on your windshield as you drive home. A mesmerizing white carpet of sparkling snow is something to behold: It hides what we’d rather not see (mud, decaying leaves, discarded trash) and is the perfect backdrop for outdoor photography. Grab your camera, bundle up in a wool sweater and a brightly colored scarf, and head outside for an afternoon adventure.
As you walk familiar streets or paths, take the time to see how the snow and ice change what you see. Observe the winter skies and try to capture the warm tones reflecting on the snow or experiment in getting the perfect shot of an individual snowflake. And as you walk along snow-covered sidewalks, your mittened-hands doing their best to hold a cup of hot coffee, remind yourself to enjoy the moment: Breathe in the crisp, clean air, listen to individual sounds, observe the birds and squirrels moving about, and be grateful for all the good things in your life.
3. More time for indoor activities
COVID has forced many of us to spend a lot more time at home, indoors, and we are still learning to adjust to this new normal. Winter weather may add to the hours we spend inside. But there are unexpected perks to being home more than ever; for example, many parents and children love the new routine of family game nights, learning new hobbies or crafts, taking up a musical instrument, or even adopting a new four-legged fur baby. The time spent together has bonded families even more.
Whether living alone or surrounded by a big family, choose how best to use the extra indoor time winter affords. Don’t be content to run a Netflix marathon or aimlessly scroll social media; redirect your focus to active pursuits versus passive. This is the time to work on a hobby or craft project, learn a new language, take an online cooking course, or start a daily or weekly workout routine. Engage your mind and body in new activities, and you may just be surprised at how quickly winter flies by and spring is knocking at your door.
