The Anxious Girls Guide to Surviving Winter
Christmas and New Years are over. For those of us living in New England, that means we have nothing but three months of dark, cold, and snow to look forward to. Gone are the Christmas trees, festive lights, and holiday parties. It’s the kind of thing that could make a girl anxious. And by that I mean, I will be anxious.
Without fail, every winter of my adult life has left me reeling. As it turns out, this Leo girl needs sunlight to thrive but there are somethings that I do to punctuate the long winter and keep me sane.
Get help. If winter is a complete bummer for you, talk to your doctor. Maybe a little therapy will get you through. Or maybe things are more serious and treatment for seasonal depression is in order. There is no shame in needing medical and/or professional help during winter. It’s way more common than you think!
Plan things to look forward to. The Omicorn variant is reeking havoc on on the world right now. But if you can and feel safe to so, plan some low-key social events. How about a weekend get away to a nearby AirBnb with someone in your bubble? Whip out your calendar and start making time to do things you enjoy and see people you love before the winter slump hits and Netflix beckons you back to the couch.
Remember that this is temporary. The seasons come and go. The warm sun will be here again soon. Be gentle with yourself on difficult days and don’t forget that none of this is permanent.
Get (or re-start) a hobby. I collect hobbies like Kris Jenner collects brand deals for her children's. From painting, to crocheting, to baking, to music, to calligraphy, to indoor cycling, to trail riding, to camping, to horseback riding, to pilates, to bread making, and reading. I’ve dabbled in many a-hobby in my day. To me, learning a new skill is fun. Maybe you love to knit and you want to go all in on knitting. Do it. Or maybe you’re like me and you want to try something new, do it. Watching TV is such an easy, default time filler but a hobby gives you task to focus on and goals to achieve. Maybe even set yourself a challenge around that hobby like baking a new cookie every week for 3 months or completely filling an art journal before spring.
Get outside. Yeah, I hate the cold but I don’t let that stop me from connecting with nature entirely. Hit up your thrift shops and discount stores for proper snow gear and go sledding. Even if you can only tolerate the freezing temperatures for a short while, being outside will replenish your soul. I always feel better after spending time outside. So, I suck it up and put on my big girl (snow) pants and head out into the world. I never, ever regret time spent in nature. But seriously…make sure you’re properly attired with waterproof, cold-weather gear. Frost bite is not a good time.
Find your people. At the end of the day, we all need human connection to thrive. Use the winter to really zoom in on the people who make you feel good. It is easy when the weather is better to head to the beach with a big group of friends and to be happy and carefree in those moments. But, who do you want to marathon Harry Potter movies with during a snow storm? Who are the people you can be quiet and still with? Reach out to those people and initiate plans.
As the temperatures drop and the snow piles high in my yard, I am following my own advice by start a group program with Ali Shapiro, planning fun things with my bridesmaids, pulling out my journal, checking my stash of SmartWool socks and handwarmer packets, and re-stocking the craft room. I will stumble. I will have bad days and forget these things because I am still learning. But, when I have to begin again, I am no longer returning to the starting line and that progress is priceless.
How do you prepare for the winter blues?
