Winter takes a special kind of appreciation, and if you cannot find the special blessing of the season, it will be a long winter. For those of you that enjoy winter and the winter sports, bundle up and have a blast, but what about those of you that do not like the bitter cold?
There are ways to get through the winter months without going into a full-blown hibernation. First of all, prepare. Since the beginning of time, we have had four seasons. It is for certain, that winter will come. Put yourself in the right frame of mind for the season. Tell yourself that you are not going to be beaten. Tough it up. The biggest part of not liking winter is because it gets so cold. Invest in a wardrobe that will help you bundle up. It is freezing outside. If you buy outerwear that is designed for cold weather, than you will not be cold outside, and may even begin to enjoy frolicking in the snow. Ski pants will keep the chill from the bones of your legs and will make a tremendous difference.
At least we have the holidays. If you have set your mind on Thanksgiving, the feast, and are busy counting your blessings, winter will creep in painlessly enough. Christmas will keep you entertained through the month of December. But then what? There could still be months of winter, depending on how long it chooses to stick around. Keep your mind and body active.
Now is the time to do those indoor hobbies and projects that you always put off. Use this time to go through the many paper piles and establish a system for your papers. Clean out the closets and cabinets. Deep-clean the kitchen. Have you ever thought about making a quilt? Now is the time. Become a chef. Try some new recipes, a perfect winter activity that allows you extra heat from the stove. Buy some cake decorating supplies and try your hand at cake decorating. This is the prefect time to start on the scrapbook that you have been promising yourself for some time now. Another project would be to establish and organize a craft area for yourself, maybe in a spare bedroom. You will be more likely to get your scrapbook finished within the season, if you don't have to drag everything out every time you want to work on it. For the handy man or craftsman, organize a garage or workshop.
Redecorating is an excellent way to get through the winter. Your adrenaline will get going full speed as you get enthused about your project. This would be the time to give your office a bright coat of yellow-tinted paint. Planning a room can be as much fun as decorating a room. Play around with color swatches for the perfect color scheme. Redecorating not only gives you something to do inside, but also gives your family something new and vibrant to look at and live in, while they too, are stuck indoors.
This is a good time to feed yourself some knowledge. Think about people, places, and things that interest you, and study up on it. If you write, or would like to give writing a try, this is the time to punch out some poems, short stories, or a book.
For those of you who like to read the Bible or have an interest in maybe learning the Bible, now is the time. You can do independent Bible studies or find a group of people who share your enthusiasm. A weekly group Bible study can assist in getting through the winter months. There are other weekly group meetings you can enroll in or invent. A weekly scrapbooking club is popular. Find a group who will read the same book you are reading, and get together to discuss what you have read. For those of you who feel that you are not energetic enough or want to keep off the extra winter pounds, a gym would be good.
If you struggle because you are a gardener, winter doesn't mean that your life is over until spring time. Entertain yourself with a variety of houseplants or a kitchen window herb garden. In about February, the real fun can begin for you. Buy some grow lights and start some seeds indoors of some of your favorite flowers such as marigolds, zinnias, daisies, and pansies. The gardener can use the winter months to read and learn more about plant care.
You may now have so much to look forward to that you have forgotten that winter is a time of sleep. Take advantage of at least a few of the cold, snowy, blizzard-like days to cuddle up and unwind. Spend at least a day or two in your pajamas all day. The family will love the evenings of blankets, popcorn, and a movie or an evening board game. You are entitled to a cup of hot chocolate and good book. It is winter, after all.