Getting Through the Winter Slump

Hey guys! Happy Wednesday! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s or Galentine’s Day! Now that we have made it through the holiday’s of the month, my mind is on the next season…hello Spring! Just kidding…well kind of.

I love that I can live In a place with all four seasons, but sometimes, the cold and snow can seem never ending, especially when it’s May and you still have a chance of snow on Mother’s Day. As much as I love the winter months and winter activities, I have found myself in a bit of a winter slump. 

At the start of the year, I found myself really tired with winter and it just got started. We kept getting hit with snow and cold weather, Covid-19 cases were high around my area and it seemed like we would never see warmer weather. 

If you felt like this at all then you know what I’m talking about. I’m used to the cold and snow and gray clouds, but sometimes, the lack of sunshine really gets to you.

I decided that wishing it was spring wouldn’t be productive so I did my best to change my mindset and find little things that brought joy and warmth to my days and make them a little less gray.

Here’s what worked for me and if you are feeling this way, then maybe they will work for you.

I found the simple joys in the days and really leaned into them, like savoring my cup of tea in the morning with my candle lit. Instead of rushing through my morning routine of making a cup of tea, reading and doing a word search, I did my best to savor it and enjoy it and take pleasure in those simple joys. 

I also found that moving and exercise helped my mood. I go to the gym during weekday mornings, but I carved more time to get some exercise, whether it’s a 15 minute yoga session at the end of the day or even a walk to get the mail, moving my body and getting fresh air made a big difference.

I also decided to brighten my wardrobe and have some fun with it. Even though it is winter, I have been wearing brighter colors and fun jewelry to brighten up my outfits. Even if it’s swapping in a pair of hoops for a pair of studs, it’s little things like that that can just make you smile. 

I also gave myself things to look forward to, whether it was a dinner date with a friend, making plans to see a new movie, or a mini day trip. Making plans for the future gives you something to look forward to and it shows you the importance of looking for the positives.

While the cold and winter may seem to last forever, we know that it will end but the snow mounds do make it hard to look past. 

By always looking for the positives or simple moments of joy certainly makes a big difference. Also, by reminding ourselves to take it one day at time helps too. 

What things do you do to make it through the winter slump?