Romanticize WINTER

 

This is the time of year when the holidays are behind us and we barely know what day it is. 🙃 

This is also the time of year when people tend to experience seasonal depression. There is little sunshine on some days, it seems to be gloomy outside and if you are like me and have arthritis, it is hard to move sometimes. It makes it hard to enjoy these winter months. 

People tend to dread the winter months for one reason or another. I was one of those until I changed my mindset. 

Now I look at it as God telling me to slow down and rest a bit. Enjoy the calm. Embrace the relaxation.  Take in the stillness. Our minds and bodies need a reset. 

I now try to romanticize winter. What I mean is, make it romantic and enjoyable. Here are some ways you can do that:

*Whenever possible, curl up with a good book and a warm beverage 

*Light some candles or diffuse some warm and uplifting essential oils

*make use of the fireplace. We even like to roast hot dogs and marshmallows in them for the grandkids. 

*if you don't have a fireplace, turn on YouTube and find some kind of "ambience" theme like fireplace ambience, winter ambience, etc. They have some beautiful scenery and set to music. Play it in the background

*open the curtains and enjoy the outdoor scenery and let some light in

*display some decorative flowers like poinsettias (they are not just for Christmas you know), they can be artificial

*I use winter time to sift through the seed catalogs that come in the mail and get pen and paper to start planning our garden for the upcoming spring season 

*play board games and cards with the kids

*have movie nights and popcorn or hot chocolate and smores

*get out and play in the snow and have fun

*make snow ice cream

*if you need to be active and find yourself going stir crazy, don't wait til spring to do the deep cleaning. Why not now? 

*work on an indoor project you've been needing to do like decluttering and organizing. 

*use this down time to do things that you will not get to do when warm weather comes because of other obligations with kids in school or when the busy, chaotic days come in the spring and summer

*stay busy if you need to but don't exert yourself. There will be plenty of time for that in a few months. 

*work on some sewing, crocheting, knitting, anything to pass time but relax. 

*learn a new skill you have been wanting to try but have never had time for like new recipes,  making homemade bread, etc. 

There is nothing like standing on the outside of your home, with snow on the ground, looking in. Your home looks so warm, cozy and inviting. That's the scene you want to create and it looks so ROMANTIC!!!!!!

Let's make it through this wonderful season God made as well. 

Just in time: Our Winter Wonderland at the time I'm writing 

I will take this over ice any day. 

Stay safe out there if you have to get out in it. 

Blessings 

Tracy

Keeper of the Home