If you’ve been around this blog for a while (and I thank you if you have!) then you know that I adore summer and I’m just not a big fan of winter. I don’t like the cold, I don’t like the gray and brown landscape, and I don’t like the darkness that comes so early. Right about now – even though the days are getting longer – I start to get really sick of winter and that is what has prompted this week’s Ten on Tuesday topic: 10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs.
- Take a vacation to somewhere warm. Of course, you still have to come back but a week in the sun could truly improve things.
- Decorate your house. It can get kind of bleak when those Christmas decorations get put away so why not put some up for Valentine’s Day? That photo up there is the fireplace in my office at the Council on Aging and I love that our volunteers have decorated the place with pretty paper hearts.
- Snuggle by the fire. It’s true that I don’t like the shorter days of winter but I do love that the cold and dark drives Dale into the house (and away from his beloved garage) earlier and that provides excellent opportunities for snuggling together.
- Go to the movies. I love the movies and it’s Oscar season so what better way to forget the cold and dreary landscape than by immersing yourself in something lovely at the theater.
- Treat yourself to a pedicure. I’m very faithful about getting pedicures when it’s sandal weather but in the winter I often neglect my feet. It’s soothing, though, to have that little bit of pampering this time of year.
- Revel in wool. We are knitters, after all, and this is the season when all of our hand knit wool items are so greatly appreciated. Wrap yourself in a beautiful soft wool shawl and sigh with pleasure at the warmth.
- Get a car with heated seats. There is nothing better than one of those ass warming seats when the temps are frigid.
- Go work out. Seriously. The gym will be warm and steamy and you will feel so much better after a good cardio work out that you might even forget about hating winter. Okay, that’s a stretch but you will feel better.
- Listen to music that reminds you of summer. I put on my Jimmy Buffet playlist last Saturday night and I have to say that belting out “Boat Drinks” along with Jimmy really improved my outlook.
- Embrace the season. I know this is surprising, coming from me, but the truth of the matter is that winter is here and it’s going to be here for a while. I might as well accept it and enjoy it because complaining about it isn’t going to change anything!
I’m looking forward to reading how you all beat the winter blahs. Click the “Add Your Link” button below to link to your blog post. And click here if you want to sign up to receive each week’s Ten on Tuesday topic via email.
mary Said,
oh my – we’ve got almost identical lists! I LOVE your valentines decorations (I was going to have cutting paper into hearts but needed that spot on my list for planning this year’s summer!) hope the groundhog is happy on Saturday (can’t ever remember if we want him to see his shadow or not) and spring is just around the corner!
Kym Said,
What a terrific list, Carole! (And – aren’t seat-heaters divine? Although. . . I must admit that the first time I sat in a car with one, I thought I maybe had wet my pants. . .) Enjoy the day!
margene Said,
If only I had a car with heated seats. I thought about getting a pedi last weekend, but the thought of keeping my toes uncovered until the polish dried kept me from doing it.
Great list! If we can’t change it we may as well embrace it.
Kim Said,
As you know, I don’t hate winter, especially on a clear, sunny day like today… although come March, I am ready for Spring and my bird friends.
I will be glad when this week is behind me and I have time to get back outside again.
Love the strung hearts! I love decorating for Valentines Day.
Robby Said,
Jimmy Buffet has been celebrated in the month of February ever since college at my house. By the time I’m getting kind of tired of the gazillion different songs, the sun is staying out long enough for us to have glimpses of warmer weather. And we tend to have a week in February that is in the 60s and 70s for no particular reason. I think it is God’s little encouragement to us.
Jo-Ann Said,
Great list … I don’t hate the winter, but I have to admit that I’m ready for spring’s warming touch! One thing that always seems to help me is to keep a tropical-flavored/scented lip balm within reach … something about smelling sweet coconut or luscious berries always help me to think about summer
Donna Said,
I really need a pedicure but the thought of socks coming off my feet makes me shiver. I really have to do it soon though! And yes – heated seats are awesome!
Nichole Said,
Another fun one!
Jo Said,
Hope for those who own cars with no seat heaters–I recently came across seat covers (for lack of a better word) which provide heat. My husband’s last two cars have had seat heaters and I am profoundly jealous! The fireplace in the photo is gorgeous and looks like it has some history. Do tell! Finally, the last item on your list about acceptance is so important, at least to me. Some years ago, when I was still teaching, I announced to students that I was ditching the “can’t wait until Friday” habit. After all, why waste four perfectly good days waiting for one? It was a surprise but the kiddos really got into that…and it sure helped me!
Mary K. in Rockport Said,
Yay for numbers 1, 2, 4, and 6. Snow and cold just aren’t fun anymore when one’s children are grown. I’m trying to persuade my husband back onto the cross country skiis – but he worries about his new hip!
Beverly Said,
When we bought my Jetta, I could not have cared less about the heated seats. Now I hope I never have to do without them! They really help so much!
Kristi aka FiberFool Said,
Knitters are so smart! We all agree on how to beat the winter blahs it seems
Great ideas all around and just the challenge to think of 10 got me doing more positive things already. Thanks for keeping this going, Carole!
Knitnana Said,
Such pretty hearts! I love MY ‘Ru for its heated seats, too!
Susan Said,
The heated car seats are key. I remember thinking they were ridiculous. . . and then I bought my first car that had them. There’s no going back!
Hillary Said,
I can’t believe I forgot pedicures! Maybe because I missed mine last weekend. I’ll need to fix that this weekend. Heated seats and vacations are really good too. I have the former, I covet the latter.
Sue Said,
Heated seats in a car and a heated garage make our winters here in Minnesota more tolerable.
But I really felt I was in winter-heaven when I got a car with a heated steering wheel.
I Love it!
Phyllis Said,
I love 10 on Tuesdays, even when it is something it is hard for me to relate to. Like today, when it is about 82 (really!) here in Louisiana. We never get around to figuring out how to survive winter,cause we seem to only have it in spurts. But oh how we complain when the temperature dips below 50! And of course there is raucous celebration when it snows, which it does about every 6 or 7 years–everything shuts down and everyone plays. When it snowed on my elder daughter’s bd 36 years ago, she wrote in penmanship class the next day that it was God’s gift to her b/c she was a good girl! And BTW, I too love heated car seats. On the lowest setting they are good for an aching back almost anytime, cold or not. I hope everyone gets through a real winter just fine. And maybe some of you who think about vacations could consider coming for Mardi Gras–the weather is usually fine, and even if it’s not, it is still fun. This year we have even added the Super Bowl!
jill Said,
I find winter discouraging in many ways. Up until this week, we’ve had temps in the single digits. I love my students and they love me, but we’ve been getting a little sick of each other ALL day, EVERY day! So I’ve taken to wearing colorful clothing. Most of my wardrobe is dark, but I’ve been picking up some colorful tops to brighten my day. AND my shiny blue toenails make me smile in the shower!