I’ll be honest, I am not naturally a lover of all things winter.
Looking out at the frozen tundra for months on end, driving through blizzards and stepping foot outside in the dead of winter do not top my lists of favorite things.
Winter and I have only just recently started to become friends!
Though this time of year can feel dark and dreary for many of us, I’ve tried to make a conscious effort to embrace the gifts that winter has to offer.
Here are some ways you can actually ENJOY the winter season without waking up every day and wishing you were at the beach!
Get Cozy
Take advantage of the snow outside to make the inside of your home and work environment cozy and warm!
Last year, I read The Little Book of Hygge by William Morrow, which dives into some really sweet Danish principles that can help you lean into and learn to love winter.
Lighting delicious candles, cuddling up in a warm blanket, drinking warm tea or hot chocolate, and wearing fuzzy pajamas and socks are simple ways you can bring warmth and light into your home and heart, even if it’s grey and cold outside.
Eat warm and nourishing seasonal food.
As soon as temperatures start dropping outside, I get so excited to bust out all my soup recipes and to start baking bread!
There is nothing better than coming in from the cold and enjoying a warm bowl of soup, hearty pasta or roasted root veggies.
I’ve also been trying to drink smoothies and eat something green every day, to ensure that I’m getting the nutrients I need to feel happy and well.
My chicken noodle soup has been on rotation, as well as this shepherd’s pie and salads and smoothies full of citrus fruits, like this one.
Get outside anyways!
Almost every time I meet someone who says they love winter, they usually follow that statement up with something about their favorite winter sport.
I used to be deathly afraid of the cold, but now I try to get outside as often as I can, especially if the sun is shining!
Taking walks around my neighborhood and through snowy mountain trails, snow shoeing, ice skating at an outdoor rink, tubing, and sledding have become my favorite ways of embracing the cold and getting outside!
And NEWS FLASH! Usually once you get moving outside, you warm up REAL quick!
I’ve only tried skiing once, and after nearly taking out of all of the four year olds on the bunny hill, I feel just fine about never doing it again!
BUT, there are a lot of people I know who live for the ski and snowboarding season and anticipate each snowfall and the fun it brings!
There is so much that winter has to offer! How do you embrace and celebrate the winter season?