We got hit with January weather in late November and the people of Minnesota were not pleased about it. For as special as the changing of the seasons can be, we do experience times of the year that can test even the hardiest northerner.
I have found that doing what I can to change my outlook around the winter weather has often been as effective as taking a vacation during the winter season. So if you’re open to embracing the place you live, try out a couple of my ideas for ways to enjoy winter below.
Ways to Enjoy Winter When You’re Not a “Winter Person”
1. Learn a new activity.
My goal this year is to take advantage of the open golf course near our house and learn to cross-country ski!
2. Take winter walks for vitamin D.
Skip the sunglasses if you can, even if only for a few minutes!
3. Make plans.
Making plans is crucial so you have something to look forward to. It could be something as simple as grabbing coffee with a friend or as elaborate as planning a week-long getaway. Right now I’m planning a cabin weekend with friends in January. Joe and I also booked a spring break trip this year. I’m so excited about both!
4. Acknowledge the difficulty.
It’s true that there are objectively difficult parts of winter for all of us. Allow yourself to acknowledge the negative aspects of the season, but then try to evolve the narrative beyond them. This leads me to my next point.
5. Make a love list.
Take a few minutes to make a personal list of things you *do* love about winter, no matter how short it may be. Then come back to read it again whenever you need a reminder.
6. Get in a little movement.
Do something to get your heart rate up, even if it’s only for ten or twenty minutes. This is one of my favorite mood boosters. Bonus points if you bundle up and do it outside!
7. Prepare your cold-weather gear.
I find that preparation is key to enjoying winter, particularly in places like Minnesota where it gets really, really cold. Having the right cold-weather gear to keep you comfortable when you’re outside makes all the difference. These are a few of my favorite products that keep me warm:
Editor’s Note: This article contains affiliate links. Wit & Delight uses affiliate links as a source of revenue to fund operations of the business and to be less dependent on branded content. Wit & Delight stands behind all product recommendations. Still have questions about these links or our process? Feel free to email us.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
BY Kate Arends - December 7, 2022
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Thank you for being here. For being open to enjoying life’s simple pleasures and looking inward to understand yourself, your neighbors, and your fellow humans! I’m looking forward to chatting with you.
Hi, I'm Kate. Welcome to my happy place.
I think I have a love/hate relationship with Winter, haha but I think making the most of this season is all important so I love these tips and ideas! Thanks for sharing.
We weren’t mad at all about the January weather coming early in my house. But I love winter and have small kids and it’s Christmasy! It’s a snow globe outside as I type this (i’m just West of the cities). But i’m also a cozy up inside read books hot beverages slow down type who is fortunate enough to have a sauna and a hot tub…those help alot. But before those I took a lot of baths!
This is great! Love these ideas — but very few people in the US can get enough sunlight to make vitamin D in the winter. Sunlight is still great and healthy as is walking, but the sun isn’t high enough for long enough for the body to make vitamin D
I am such a fall person! But I like even more being at home in winter and just reading and being cozy when it’s cold outside.