Here it is December again and I am struggling with the lack of light. It looks like 10pm here in Portland basically all day and there's no snow, just little drizzling rain drops all the day long. I am writing this list to remind myself of what I need to do this year to combat this gloomy weather and learn to make the most of it! Any tips you'd like to add?
Light candles whenever you are home. Light lanterns outside your door or on your porch. I picked up this tradition in Sweden, where they make their homes and cities amazingly cozy all winter long!
Accept that productivity goes down in the winter. Use the time to work on indoor projects, read a new book or watch your favorite show.
Get outside for fresh air! Bundle up and go on a hike.
Go to the movie theater.
Go ice skating, snowshoeing, or skiing.
Head to the mountains and enjoy the snow. I always forget that snow is merely an hour away from where I live and yet I rarely go enjoy it!
Have a winter picnic.
Wear bright colors and flowers!
Spend more time in your kitchen, cooking and baking. Here's to comfort food!
Invite friends over for an indoor picnic!
Visit the library or the art museum.
Wear cute wellies.
Brew your own tea or coffee or hunker down at the coffee shop with your favorite book.
Photography: Lisa Warninger. Starring: Annie B. Wardrobe Styling: Hannah of Hetterson and Chelsea Fuss. Hair + Makeup: The Ginger Suite. Styling Assistant: Amber Furqueron. Production Assistant: Caitlin Burkhart. Top: APC at Frances May. Hat: Vanessa Tran.
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agreement on all fronts. hoping to tackle a special project this winter and spend my time organizing my thoughts and drawing up plans. if i look at winter as a time to plan, it suddenly looks exciting, not daunting (when it doesn't, there's warm drinks and brisk walks).
Posted by: erin | December 11, 2012 at 05:20 PM
I love your approach, Erin! Good luck with the project!
Posted by: chelsea | December 11, 2012 at 05:31 PM
These ideas all make winter seem so much brighter than it feels right now!
Posted by: Mari | December 11, 2012 at 07:02 PM
Where I live the air is dry so I diffuse a lot of oil this time of year - love accepting lack of productivity, I can handle that!
Posted by: Martha | December 12, 2012 at 01:51 AM
Chelsea-
The lack of light bothers me, too. And the cold. This is a great list to refer to. :)
Martha B.
Posted by: Martha B. | December 12, 2012 at 07:02 AM
I love this : -)
Posted by: meisha | December 12, 2012 at 11:22 AM
Yay!
I would add:
+ watch your favourite movies of all times (Tim Burton is my winter hero)
+ make sure you have comfortable and warm slippers that are pretty too, to feel good inside (just had a felted pair handmade for me! go Etsy!)
+ create playlists for your different moods -I love old jazz like Chet Baker and Billy Holliday in the winter
+ drink warm (do you know white tea? no theine but lovely and subtle flavours, my favourite being mango/ginger right now)
+ watch nature being so beautiful under frost, or snow.
That's it Chelsea, got some calendars to make now ;)
xx
Posted by: Flora | December 12, 2012 at 12:51 PM
I just came across this blog and I absolutely love it. It's usually warm in Nashville this year, but cheers to a hot cup of coffe, a good book and nice pair of fuzzy socks! Bring on the winter!
Posted by: Elizabeth | December 12, 2012 at 01:00 PM
Get close to a fireplace whenever possible. :)
Posted by: Lauren Maxwell | December 12, 2012 at 01:02 PM
That is tough! At least anchorage has snow, which makes it brighter. My top tricks are exercise!!! And coffee!!! :)
Posted by: gia | December 12, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Not much to add to your list except maybe hot bubble baths? Great way to slow down and get attuned to the rhythm of winter, all while warming up and cheering up! Also, I think anything that keeps you attuned to the rhythm of nature is good. I keep a garden, but also have a window full of houseplants to tend when everything outside is asleep in the earth. It's nice to always have green growing things about - and plants improve the air quality in your home, too!
Posted by: sarah | December 13, 2012 at 03:41 PM
it's not very glamorous to think about going to a gym with florescent lights and running around a track or lifting weights, but i NEED to keep exercising in the winter or i melt down like a tired child. and i just have to DO it, especially when i don't feel like it because it always makes me feel better and i know i will want to jump right back into my overly active habits once summer comes back around--i don't want to be slowed down because i didn't exercise all winter.
Posted by: Laura. | December 14, 2012 at 06:58 AM
A hot bath with candles is everything for me at the end of the day.
Posted by: Passionflower | December 14, 2012 at 09:57 AM
Great article; I love your ideas. The lack of light can really get to me sometimes, especially when I think it must be 9 or 10pm, only to realize it's only 6 or 7. I'll be lighting some lanterns on my front porch tonight!
Keri
Posted by: Ivy Clad | December 15, 2012 at 11:28 AM