To ask what "little things" help get you through the less exciting winter months?

[Ilovepearjuice]

In particular, January and February?

I'm definitely a person affected by the long, dark, cold evenings. Once the festivities and twinkly lights of Christmas and New Year is over, I always go through a very glum period and Jan/Feb seem to drag on forever.

Please may I ask what little things you do to get you through those winter blues? What brings you joy? Trips away, purchases, activities... Anything!

I want to make a list in advance and plan ahead, so that I know I always have something to make me feel good and hopefully others too!

I always feel I turn a corner once we reach 21st December. Even when Christmas and New Year are over, it's only a matter of time before the days start pulling out and we have Spring to look forward to!

I find Sept/Oct the hardest because that's when its the start of it all and there's months before the long days. Though Jan/Feb brings it's own challenges. Snow and ice are more common in these months IME. Dreading driving to/from work this year. In fact I'm really anxious about it. Silly I know.

Last year I did RED January which I really enjoyed. Wish I could do it again, but I was WFH back then now I'm in a new job so in the office 5 days plus DS is also at college now so I need to be his taxi to the bus stop and back. We leave at 7 and get back about half 5 We live rurally with no lighting so not sure I can get to do it this year (not confident enough to use head torches etc). I really noticed how much lighter it was at the end of Jan compared with the start.

I have 20 working days in Jan, I'll probably split them up and just get through a week at a time. After reading this thread I'm thinking of re-watching Gilmore Girls (my favourite lockdown binge) and just looking forward to the weekends when I can have winter run's and walks.

Then there's just Feb to get through. I usually start to feel loads better by March.

Ketamine

I love this thread!!!! Homemade soups and candles get me through.

[quote AcrossthePond55]@Askingforfriend

Ah, but there's always Big Bear, Arrowhead, and (if it's not too far) Mammoth!

But if you're So Cal, I'd rather spend that time at Newport, Balboa, or Laguna![/quote]
We travel all over and particularly like the eastern Sierras. We live close to the coast so we usually go somewhere different.

@chillidoritto

I always feel I turn a corner once we reach 21st December. Even when Christmas and New Year are over, it's only a matter of time before the days start pulling out and we have Spring to look forward to!

This is my one too! 21st Dec is the best day of the year as days will start getting longer. I dislike Nov/Dec but Jan/Feb mean spring is on its way. I don’t have any solution to battling the winter blues but having just returned from Portugal to gloom and grey, I think it’s made me feel worse.

I have realistic expectations.
Winter is a time to turn inwards, a time for relection and an opportunity to slow down. I love the cold dark months- time to play in the shadows.
I do celebrate christmas, Yule and the Solstice, and the whole of December sees some nod towards these festivals.
I keep warm with soft layered clothing and blankets, hot drinks, I read and burn candles.
I like the fact there is no pressure to make picnics, go to the beach, have BBQs. I can let the hair on my legs grow and no need to paint my toenails!

I think you just have to embrace the change of lifestyle. I look forward to getting home to cook a comforting dinner, light candles, snuggle under a blanket, watch too many box sets. I enjoy early nights with a good book, long baths and wrapping up to walk the dog on chilly, wet evenings. We have movie nights, board game nights and zoom calls with family who live miles away. I meet friends at country pubs by log fires, the theatre or for afternoon tea while rain drills against the windows.

Mostly, you have to have something to look forward to. For me it's Bonfire Night, Christmas, some family birthdays and then a little holiday or trip in February half term.

I like to plan next summers garden and start ordering my dahlias.