Winter is my very least favorite. The gray, the dark, the lack of green–it all makes me feel completely unmotivated. (I may seriously need a sun lamp.) Sometimes, it’s worth intentionally thinking about those small things that make the days brighter. Anne, one of my favorite book bloggers, does a “what’s saving me” list at the start of every year and I thought I would once again follow her lead.
Some of the things that are saving me this Winter. . .
- A few days away. My husband and I just got back from visiting Puerto Rico with our best couple friends and it was four full days of rest and lots of reading. (I finished three books!) Sometimes, when you’re in the trenches of parenthood, the planning of these kinds of trips may seem like more trouble than it’s worth. I struggle with the guilt of leaving, the fear of flying, the planning, and asking my parents who graciously came to stay and drive our kids to all of the places. BUT, once I get off the ground, I’m always glad I went. I say all of this in case you’re on the fence about getting away. If you can, sometimes just one night is good enough to reset your mind (and to make you realize your favorite place on earth actually is at home with your wild kids).
- Yoga. I started doing yoga in private last year thanks to YouTube–and Adriene. On our trip, I worked up the nerve to take two classes on the beach and it was awesome. I am slowly getting over my fear/embarrassment of public exercise. . .
- Audio books. I am sometimes in the car for hours a day, driving in the same 5-mile radius to different schools and activities. I finally figured out how fast I can listen to an audio book if I do it during my car time. I just finished Demi Moore’s memoir (read in her famously husky voice) and I thought it was fascinating.
- Morning devotion and coffee. They go hand in hand, don’t they? I recently finished Melanie Shankle’s book and am working my way though the Psalms now. (A great place to begin if you don’t know where to start.)
- TV. Before you praise me for being so deep, I’ll also confess to the regular, mindless TV that makes me very, very happy. On this list: Jeopardy, Judge Judy, The Bachelor (dear goodness), almost any college basketball game and the first fifteen minutes of Jimmy Kimmel.
- More Instagram breaks. I’ve pulled back from posting lately because I just haven’t felt excited enough about anything to post about. And on the flip side, it often feels like I’m just looking at the same people doing the same things on a different day. I know it’s all about the numbers, numbers, numbers when you’re doing this for a job, but breaks make things feel a little less stale when you do come back.
What’s saving you during these long Winter months?
I took the role of Lucy in a community theater production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” and it has saved me this winter. It got me out of the house three nights a week, gave me something to be disciplined about, and introduced me to some new friends. Best thing I ever did!
How fun is that?! Congrats on your role :)
I love how normal and approachable you are!
Preparing for a trip away from my kids for a few days and the details are so overwhelming! Thanks for the reminder that it’s worth it!
You are so right about the effort/reward for a getaway. Currently trying to figure out logistics of one for our anniversary- May seemed like great month to get married in when I didn’t know about end of school year madness – but I know it’s worthwhile.
What’s saved me – random days of warmth and sunshine due to Texas’s crazy idea of winter, hot tub and fireplace nights, reading good books (or trashy ones), and time with my friends. ❤️
May becomes a different monster when you have school age kids. Who knew?!
I used to feel the same way about Instagram, but then I started deleting accounts that didn’t inspire me anymore and searched for the smaller accounts. A whole new world!
Summer is my least favorite season too, but thankfully it’s pretty mild here in TN. I am truly making an effort to savor and be thankful each and every day. Time passes too quickly as is, without me wishing for it to speed up. We’ve taken a couple of weekend trips which has been great. Working on some home projects, trying to get back into reading (after years!) and lunch dates with friends make the days more fun. I promised myself when I quit work (retired early) that I would NOT waste the hours of my day with the internet and tv. I will be honest (since you mentioned it), but instagram and particularly blogs are not what they used to be. It’s like watching reruns over and over again. So I have cut my blog list and my instagram list. Spending time outside when we do have a sunny day is great medicine too!!
I love this list. I am trying to get out of my non-exercise rut because getting a good sweat on always makes me feel better. And some other moms and I were recently talking about how even one or two nights away is restful. But yes, so much work! We don’t do it enough. And The Bachelor! And Knox and Jamie’s Popcast about it! Organizing something makes me feel accomplished–something small like a junk drawer even. But I feel the best on those days when the sun comes out in Texas.
my Husband has a terminal illness we have been dealing with for 2 years, so this list will be a GOOD exercise.
What is saving me:
1. Myofascial Release massage therapy every week.
2. Watching Cash Cab with him, winning!!! imaginary money, and remembering we knew we were ‘meant to be’ during a rousing game of Trivia many years ago.
3. Making Instagram stories
So sorry to hear that. Prayers for your family.
(And I would love Cash Cab. Why have I never watched it?!)
Planning a landscaping project for March and a trip to Iceland in April (Love your blog)
Exercise that I allow myself to complete ~ even if it means I have to delay other obligations. I feel so much better and usually the other obligations are not the emergencies I make them out to be.
We bought a lake house last fall and we are finding we truly relax there. This week we have had all of our children (2 are grown and married and one is in high school) here. It was fun to laugh, play games together and watch our granddaughter on the precipice of walking. I forget how the simplest of things can make me so happy.
Reading. This is my second year of doing the Bible Recap (reading through the Bible in a year chronologically) and I am learning things I didn’t from last year. Having this as a way to start my days has helped me see things about God I haven’t before and it is such a sweet gift.
I feel the same way about Instagram! And Adriene is the best. I’ve been doing her yoga videos for two years now and now my husband started doing them too. He loves her too. She’s so calming and pleasant.
First, thank you for your honest, interesting and varied content. You so often write things that resonate with me and this time you said exactly what I’ve been feeling about Instagram- both my reluctance to post recently and seeing a variation of the same images posted over and over by the more “successful” accounts I follow. I mean, how many different images of the same beige-on-beige-California-breezy living room does one need to see?? I liked one of the comments here regarding deleting those accounts and seeking out some smaller ones (and not just because I’m one of the smallest! 😉).
If you ever feel the need to change up your yoga I love my yearly subscription to Gaia.com, not free, its $99 /year, but it offers access to a huge range of classes, instructors, styles, etc. I started using it years ago when there weren’t many free videos and still think it’s worth every penny!
Glad you came to Puerto Rico! Long time follower from San Juan who also happens to have 5 kids (including boy/girl twins) :-)
We loved San Juan. Such a beautiful place!
so nice :)
I too struggle with the darkness of winter. I don’t mind the cold but hate the short days and overall greyness. One thing I started last year that I was surprised how happy it made me was to plant our yard with rye grass in the fall. It seems silly, but to look out our windows and see that BRIGHT green against all brown really makes me smile. As for the exercise, I can totally relate and also hated the idea of a class or gym setting but I am SO glad I got over it. Exercise helps me tremendously and it’s nice to have something on the calendar just for you that you don’t compromise on. I would suggest looking for classes at a church or community center. That’s how I eased into it and they are typically smaller and much less intimidating than a gym. Bravo to you for planning/taking a getaway! So worth it.
This is a great list! I agree about getting away – my husband and I don’t do it nearly enough, but it does make the heart fonder of home when you do. One of the things saving me this winter is the thought of spring. I love gardening in the spring and I can feel it just around the corner. It’s pulling me through. Another thing is meditation. I just started the practice but I can feel how it will help me the rest of my life. Lastly, I’m trying to be more consistent with gratitude journaling. I’ve read so many studies about how it changes your brain to look for the good in your life. This list you’ve made is a great gratitude list.
I enjoy your blog. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I’m feeling and seeing signs of Spring, too. Good for the soul!
Since my husband and I retired in Atlanta 5 years ago, we have been taking my dad (96) to Florida every winter. February and March for the last 5 years. The winters in Upper Michigan are just too hard on him.
It’s beautiful down here in the winter, but at the end of our 2 months I am ready to go home!!!