Last newsletter I mentioned a piece I wrote about winter cities. I called these cities the unsung heroes of sustainability, as they—despite many months of cold and wintry weather—remain focused on supporting their small businesses, promoting activities that support (safe) socializing outdoors, and encouraging their residents to stay active year-round.
As many of us learned in the early months of lockdown, spending all of our time indoors or alone can lead to feelings of isolation. Now, we’re staring down a COVID winter. Let’s heed the advice of these winter cities and vow to not only survive, but thrive in the months ahead. Hunkering down is so 2019.
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, for example, promotes winter recreation, such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and ice skating, via family-friendly programs at city parks.
Residents of Buffalo, New York embrace the way snow and ice reshapes the city’s landscape; locals lace up their ice skates or hone their curling skills on a frozen-over Erie Canal.
Of course, embracing winter is not just for those who love winter sports or have access to ski mountains and resorts. The art of thriving in winter should and can be inclusive.
The city of Edmonton, Canada encourages outdoor socializing with toolkits for creating a cozy oasis in your backyard or local park. So, why not build your own? You likely already have everything you’d need at home: hot cocoa mix and thermoses; blankets and pillows; firewood (note: check your city or town regs before building a fire in your neighborhood park).
Long winter nights? No problem. The city of Reykjavík, Iceland hosts an annual Winter Lights Festival to chase away the darkness. I’m not suggesting you host your own winter lights festival; I’m not not suggesting it either.
Although it’s beneficial to reframe winter—from a time to be endured to one that can be enjoyed—embracing the season isn’t just about getting outside or being social *waves at fellow introverts*. Like anything, it’s about balance.
Here are a few ideas I’ve come up with to cope with the winter months ahead:
Revisiting a hobby, e.g. that basket of yarn and crochet needle sitting in my closet.
Learning a new skill (my BF and I plan to take up woodworking. Stay tuned on that front!).
Maintaining an outdoor exercise regimen for as long as I can (i.e., adding as many layers as I can), while also planning for indoor exercise to keep my mind and body healthy.
Stringing a few extra sets of lights around the apartment to combat the darkness and spark a little joy.
“But, how am I going to make the time to do these things?” you ask. Don’t worry, I’ve got you! Gleaned from more than five years of working remotely, here’s my pro tip: Treat leisure and creativity like you do your work. Plan your time; schedule your leisure. Set boundaries with your work (and your work devices) so you can fulfill your need to give your brain a rest—your mental health and well-being rely on you striking this balance.
Setting boundaries has helped me transition from work mode to leisure mode or creative mode—even in the same space (or on the same laptop!). It might feel unnatural to schedule downtime on your calendar or set a reminder to get outside. Start small. Pick one weekend day, one time block, and one activity. Be consistent. Invite your family members or friends to join you (outside or virtually). Soon, you’ll have a commitment and a community.
And maybe even a go-to method for embracing winter in all the winters ahead.
Supplemental reading: If winterizing means decompressing in your cozy reading nook, I feel you! Following a year spent primarily in said reading nook (that is, the end of my couch nearest the lamp), I’ve rounded up the top 10 books I read this year and put them in my shop on Bookshop.
Whether it’s via books, activities, or supporting local businesses, I’d love to hear how you plan to thrive this winter. As always, you can respond directly to this newsletter or follow me on Instagram. I’m eager to hear what you get into—and if you have any recs for me, too.