The holidays are over and we are well into the New Year, but winter is far from over. Thanks to the East Coast winter and that evil little groundhog who brutally declared six more weeks of winter, we must find a way to keep our lips from chapping and our pipes from freezing until spring finally shows face like the guest of honor who always arrives fashionably late but no one cares because they are just so glad she is finally there. Yes, until spring graces us with her presence, we must find some way to stay sane over winter.
I am a native Californian who never felt a bitter breeze below 45 degrees until last year. I am now living in Michigan and learning to brave this cruel, cruel world of sub zero temperatures and wind chill factors. If I can find sanity and happiness in these dreary winter months… so can you. Here’s how…
1. Allow winter to work FOR you, rather than AGAINST you. Last winter…I accidently stepped in dog poop, which would have been devastating for my new LL Bean boots, except for the fact that it was frozen. Winter: 1, Dog Poop: 0.
2. Embrace the community that winter creates. We are all in this together. Last week, my car got stuck in the snow…twice. The first time my boss offered to come and pick me up in her 4 wheel so I wouldn’t be late for work…and the second time random strangers pulled over and helped push my car free….two of these people were women wearing heels. Impressive.
3. Hot Toddies. No further explanation needed.
4. Find the beauty that surrounds you. Sure, beaches and oceans are beautiful…but so is snow. This morning, the snow was glistening like diamonds and glitter. It glistened on the trees and sparkled across the hills. It was quiet, peaceful and beautiful. I used my ice scraper to sculpt happy faces on the cars parked outside my house. Like this.
5. When all else fails, escape… take a trip to somewhere warmer. Book a vacation or visit family somewhere sunny and 75. If finances are tight, just visit a tanning bed (Just once… and only for 6 minutes…I’m not condoning skin damage) or hot yoga studio. Do something to boost your mood and your vitamin D. Do something to warm your bones (even just a hot bath can serve as your winter escape). You deserve it.
