How do you find happiness or enjoyment in winter?

[Incogg]

I'm already struggling with the cold and rain and dark. In summer, I often drive out to the countryside for a walk or to the coast for a swim in the sea. If nothing else I sit out in the garden enjoying the sun.
But for the last few weeks I feel like I get in from work, get some tea, and am then just wishing my life away until I can go to bed.

Does anyone else relate? And if not, how do you stay cheerful in winter?

I think leaning into it helps. So yes to the country walks etc but also yes to things like proper comfort food, pretty lights inside, good socks, books or podcasts that are wintery... this year I'm also thinking about Samhain turning into Yule and learning some old stories about the turning of the year. So enjoying things that don't fit the summer, basically.

Go for walks in the crisp weather. Lots of lovely fresh air.

Curl up at night with a cup of tea and blanket and enjoy the longer evening.
Switch the heating off at night to take advantage of the cooler weather to get a better night's sleep.

I agree with the previous poster- embrace it. Do you have a fire? If not, a flickering fire screensaver is great. Ginger wine. Candles. Hot chocolate. Snuggly soft clothes. Christmas / winter stories (I like Hercule Poirot’s Christmas, and The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder). Drawing the curtains to keep the cold out. I like those slow TV documentaries that the BBC did a few years ago. I love wintry foods - soups and roasts. And lemon and ginger tea for when I come in from the cold.

I have young dc so weekday nights are the same, full of dinner and homework and bath time rituals. It isn't really too different to the summer, except we don't spend any time in the garden but play indoors instead.
At weekends we embrace a "going out but indoors" lifestyle where we mostly visit indoor venues, like theatres, museums, leisure centres and soft play. It's enjoyable because there are so many extra events and special things going on in the run up to Christmas. Pre-dc I'd be spending more time indoors at restaurants, exhibitions and theatre (but for adults). Going for walks and to the beach is something we do in summer/late spring and early autumn (unless it snows, or if there's a light trail or funfair).

Ambient lighting
-candles, fire, rechargeable tea lights, Christmas tree lights etc. And red wine or lemon & hot water in the mornings when tea is out

Walks at lunchtime for fresh air and daylight.

Cooking really nice winter foods - soups, casseroles etc.

Prepping for Xmas. Christmas lights and decorations.

Then all the nights out to the Panto, theatre, school concerts, Xmas days out to markets and such like.

Watching all the Doctor Who specials.

Then Hogmanay, Burns Night, Valentines.

And before you know it it's. Print.

I still walk in the cold and wet, and even the dark sometimes. Also I sing in choirs so this time of year we are always really busy doing Advent and Christmas music. It's mildly active (breath control), sociable and challenging. The worst bit for me is spring when it just takes aaaaages for the garden to wake up and get going. Plus I start to dread the heat of summer (I live far too far away from the sea to drive out for a swim at any time of the year 😔)

Count the days until I escape on 18th December for 3.5 weeks to a better climate and slightly longer days. No Christmas crap for me!

I'm older and did all my hard work, so now I'm doing the Winter escape while I still can.

I love watching a drama in bed

I love it. But then I don’t like summer so maybe that’s why?

I love putting some classical music on while I make a really hearty meal! Hot water bottle in bed reading. Candles. A really deep hot bubble bath.

Get some daylight every day. It's not many days that are rainy and cloudy all day. I check the weather and organise my breaks from work around when I can get out.

I like being outdoors even more in this weather! Get yourself a good coat, gloves and scarf and you’ll be grand. Blustery walks are the best. Then candles, books, cooking, red wine, Strictly, coffee, blankets, Christmas shopping, fairy lights… it’s the best.

I look forward to Christmas. And I look forward to food, movies, hiking, sports, and short stories.

I too do more cooking, lots of hearty casseroles and I’ve also started making my own bread.

I also light the woodburner early evening then after tea sit down, put something I love on the tele and do some sort of craft, current favourite is cross stitching some Xmas cards for close family. Whilst I much prefer summer and long warmer days, I embrace the change.

And agree with getting out during the day. Get your woolly hat and warm coat plus your wellies and just walk for an hour. It makes you feel so much better.

The light is beautiful in the winter. The sun is lower in the sky and we see a lot of orange/ red hues. Winter walks are lovely, especially if walking to the pub or with a flask of hot chocolate / mulled wine.

I honestly pay no attention to seasons? I just get on with what I want to do.

I try and make more of the dark evenings by doing some crafts, I find it relaxing and satisfying, I’m currently making socks with a bright self striping yarn that’s really cheerful.

I am always "cold".
Today, I dressed up and walked to town to do some chores.
As it wasn't raining, decided to swing by the park.
Ended up sorting in the bench near the river for nearly 45 mins watching kids play and dogs running around.
Lifted my spirits immensely.
Was glad i had my beanie and gloves in my bag though!
Xx

Slow down. Accept the dark of winter as a time for self care and rest,like other living things do. Sleep more, stay hydrated, try and get outside if you can while there is light. Take a Vit D supplement. Allow yourself to say no to things and just relax.

I didn't have a problem with winter when younger, but the last few years I've found it hard. I'm not sure if it's because of dropping hormone levels (I'm 44) but I'm finding dark/gloom/drizzle really challenging ans feeling more perimenopausal than I did in the summer (my symptoms improved with the daylight and seem to be worse I g again). This year I've bought a lumiè alarm clock which I like and I'm trying to reframe my thinking about the season. I'm re-reading Nigel Slater's The Christmas Chronicles which talks about winter in a positive way and I make sure I walk or run every day. I've made an effort to appreciate the beauty of autumn and early winter on these walks which is genuinely helping my mindset.
I don't have all the answers but I think getting out in daylight is possibly one of the most important things so make sure you go for a lunchtime walk.

Previous years I have spent time in my shed working on a 'project'. Extra lights, music and a fan heater essential.
This is first winter at this house so not organised yet. Trying to make getting organised my project. Boring. . . . .

Go skiing

@PlainJaneSuperbrainthe2nd Good point about getting out in the light, The earlier the better when the light is whiter. Becomes yellower at midday I think.