2/6/15

8 Ways to Make the Most of Winter's Last Breath



Winter in a cold climate is beautiful at first. Christmas feels more magical, and New Years intentions feel fresh when everything is a pure white. But once the holidays and first month of the year passes, the season has long lost its charm and newness and instead feels like a long cold purgatory that has no end in sight. Last year we had snow until mid-April, and although I'm worried it will be the same this year, I've been trying to push back against the winter blues and wanted to share them with you in case you've been feeling the same. 

Wake up with the sun and rise with intention. In a few months the sun will be rising much earlier, making it harder to watch the day come alive as you sip your morning coffee. Being able to stretch slowly as the first rays of light illuminate the sky, journal your day's intentions as the birds start their morning song, and wash your face as the first ray of light streams through the window just may help your body feel more in tune with the natural world.



Read a wintery book by the windowsill as the snowflakes fall while you warm yourself with a cup of tea or cocoa. I read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey last month and it helped me settle into the season. The book has a slight fairytale feel to it and Ivey's imagery is absolutely beautiful. It is set in 1920's homestead Alaska and her writing perfectly portrays how Winter's harshness is also what can make the season beautiful.

Bring a bit of green inside. It's been months since I've seen the grass and looking outside only to see 3 feet of white piled on top of my summer garden has me feeling that Spring will never come. This weekend my boyfriend and I are going to go to a greenhouse and adopt a few potted herbs and plants to take home and place on our windowsills and tables. By bringing some life indoors, I will be reminded that it won't be long before I'll be spending hours in my garden outdoors again.



On the days when the snowflakes are big and soft, bundle up and venture outside so you can catch one on your tongue. Challenge your younger siblings, the neighbourhood kids or anyone who is young at heart to a snowball fight – loser makes hot chocolate! Create snowforts, build a snowperson or do anything else that reminds you of childhood snowdays long left behind.



Find your nearest outdoor rink, rummage through your parents' attic for a pair of skates, and experience the thrill of skating outside, no matter how wobbly your legs may be. If possible, try to track down some hockey sticks and a puck. As a kid I waited all year for the trip to my Uncle's cabin where I could play pond hockey amongst the mountains, and even now the sound of my skates ripping across the lake gives me one of the biggest natural thrills I've yet to experience.

On dark snowy evenings wrap yourself in an extra scarf and venture outside. Leave your headphones at home and listen instead to the sound of your boots touching virgin snow. make footprints on the fresh snow and watch how your breath fogs while snow dances under the streetlights as the world is so quiet, yet so alive all at once.



Fill your home with light. String fairy lights around the rooms you're in most, light scented candles whenever your curl up on your couch and light a fire if you have a wood stove or fireplace. Although the days have gotten longer since the solstice, February can often feel like the darkest month now that the lights and decorations of the holidays have passed. Soft, cozy lights will help keep your spirits up until we are met once again with those long summer nights that we crave so much.


Savour this last bit of hibernation. Soon Spring will arrive and you will cast all the heavy blankets aside, but for now relish in the last few blasts of cold air by retreating to your bed and burying yourself in blankets and warmth. Make your bedroom your den – put a canopy over your bed, place soft rugs on the floor and surround yourself with the softest of textures. Come March you can paw your way out of the layers, but this month is the perfect time for you and maybe a loved one to spend your evenings in a state of hibernation while you store your energy until Spring.

20 comments :

  1. I want to come visit you. I wish we had snow! I don't know how to make Texas seem magical during the winter months because it's just bitter cold with now snow. =/


    I love this, darling. :D

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  2. These are beautiful photos! I miss skating around outdoor rinks! :)

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  3. I feel like I always say this - but you have such an incredible, beautiful way with words. It's as if you speak in poetry. And it's such a pleasure to read.

    I feel like for people who have never experienced snow before, they think it's such a magical thing. But for people who live with snow and what often feels like a 6 month winter, it's so easy to get lost in the darkness and dreariness of it all. It's important to find a middle ground; you're absolutely right in that even in the darkest months, there can still be beauty in this weather.

    I'm working on bringing green into my house lately and trying to force myself to go outside. Even if it's mildly cold, with proper mitts and a hat and coat, it's usually not to bad once you get going on a walk or skate. And everything feels a bit better once you've been outside for a while.

    x Kathryn
    Through the Thicket

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  4. Thank you lovely! Ahh that would be hard to deal with :( When you're a travel writer you'll have to come visit ;)

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  5. Thank you Valerie! I hope you're able to skate outdoors again soon :)

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  6. Thank you so much for your kind words, Kathryn - you're the sweetest! I agree - I'm often told I'm so lucky to be able to experience snow and the changing of seasons by my American friends, and while I agree with it, it doesn't take long for winter to lose its initial charm.


    I've been trying to get outside more as well and it's definitely helping. I'm in Ottawa for Winterlude this weekend and it's given me a bit of a second wind with the whole winter thing :)

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  7. This was a wonderfully written post - it really makes me love winter! I definitely know what you mean though, Feb/March, I am ready for the snow to go away but I need to embrace it a bit more :) x


    Jasmin Charlotte | UK Lifestyle Blog

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  8. I love your style of writing. It's been snowing and raining here nonstop so everything is pretty much a thick sheet of ice in maybe half the places outdoors, but your writing makes me enjoy it a lot more. Even though it's so gross outside at the moment, haha.

    My guy and I are long distance and he visited over the New Year. We're pretty much babies when it comes to being cold, but I regret not going ice skating outdoors with him. There's always next year for that, though!

    becky ♡ star violet

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  9. Lovely photos! I wish it snowed where I live this winter :( xx

    www.roseandmuse.com

    www.roseandmuse.com

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  10. You made Winter sound so magical! I wish it had snowed here...


    bethanlikes.blogspot.co.uk

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  11. I have been dying to find an outdoor ice rink! The photo you took is so pretty with the reflection of the sunset!

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  12. Thank you Ashley! I hope you are able to find a rink soon :)

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  13. Winter isn't over yet - perhaps the snow is still yet to come :)

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  14. Thank you Nicole! I hope you get some snow this month - it's not Spring until March so there is time!

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  15. Thank you so much Becky! Sheets of ice are the worst when it comes to driving and walking.. I hope you stay safe!


    Props to you for being in a LDR - they're tough, but that doesn't mean they don't work out no matter what people say. Skating next Winter will give you both something to look forward to :)

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  16. Beautiful photos and the text beautifully written! Winter is my favourite season and how you described it just looks like how I picture it.
    Claudia, StyleChezMoi.com

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  17. Spring is slowly starting to arrive over here. I'm ready for it, but although at the end of Winter I'm always ready to switch to a warmer and lighter season I also feel like I need Winter for a soul hibernation, if that makes sense ;-)

    Daphne | The Daphne Files

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  18. GORGEOUS photos, you're making me want to play in the snow!!

    Little J Style- Younique Mascara Giveaway

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  19. really nice post, makes winter seem a bit more bearable!


    xx danielle // shadesofdanielle.blogspot.com

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