Winter in the Midwest can be brutal on the psyche. The doom and gloom of grey everywhere you look, only seeing the sun once a
week, if you’re lucky; it puts you in a constant state of what I refer to as the “Doldrums”. One of my all time favorite books “The Phantom Tollbooth” by Norton Juster, describes The Doldrums as a colorless place where thinking and laughing are not allowed. Yup, that pretty much sums up Chicago in January.
So what do you do to keep your spirits up during the long stretch of winter? Well, it helps to be as upbeat as possible. Get out of the house and go be with other people, even if it’s just the local retail store. Crack a joke out loud in the aisle at the department store, “Whow, this towel cost $60.00! Does the Queen shop here? Are these Royal towels? Where’s the poor man’s towel section?” You won’t even believe how fast everyone around you comes to life.
Have a party! Who needs an excuse? Make one up! “You’re cordially invited to my dog Buddy’s 72nd Birthday Party” Nothing is more entertaining than those crazy people who throw lavish parties for their pets. There is nothing more fun than getting together with your friends to have a drink and some finger food. It doesn’t have to be expensive or over the top. You would be surprised how many people are just looking for an excuse to get out of the house in February. Ask your friends to bring something, they will do it and not mind at all. I have an Oscar Party every year. My girlfriends come spend the evening sipping Champagne punch and exchanging snarky comments about the “beautiful people”. It’s a blast and it’s good for the soul to bond with your Ya Ya Sisterhood!
Get up and move. Every gym from New York to Los Angeles has a special during the month of January. Join up and get that blood flowing. Personally, I hate exercising, but I love exercise. Meaning that the act of movement has never appealed to me, but once I’m up and going I feel great for hours, so it makes getting off the couch worth it in so many ways. Just because it’s snowing outside doesn’t mean you have to been on lock down for the next 3 months. Forgo the shoveling and grab your sled. Where is the rule written that you must be under 15 to enjoy sledding down a steep hill? Don’t worry, there will be plenty of 10 year old kids to help you get up once you’ve reached the bottom, and you’ll be forever known as the coolest mom on the block.
Take on a new hobby. I love to cook so I find it exhilarating to experiment on a Sunday afternoon in winter. It’s the perfect time of the year to turn on the oven, so take advantage of that and roast some winter root veggies, they are yummy and good for you. Try your hand at making soup or baking bread. If the kitchen is not your thing, take up sewing. Learn how to make that quilt you saw at the fair last summer that you almost sold your youngest child to have. Paint a self portrait, don’t worry, no one will judge, have you ever seen a Picaso? Yikes! Knit your kids some scarves that they will refuse to wear. It will be a Thanksgiving conversational piece for the rest of their lives. Try something new, no matter what it is. The cold winter nights will feel less harsh I promise you.
My point is that happiness is a state of mind. Winters are long and tough to get through, but you don’t have to fall into that dark place where you feel bogged down and blue. Try to make this winter a happy one and smile, it increases your face value.
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That orange is adorable. I totally get you on the Doldrums. Being from Ohio and currently living in Pennsylvania, there’s not much difference with the winter blues. Once the holidays have passed it’s like “WHERE’S SPRING?!” It snowed this past weekend and as a move of defiance, we threw a party. It was exactly what we needed to do with our weekend. Two other couples was just enough company.
Happiness is a state of mind. I use to tell my students to smile and choose to be happy. Smiles are contagious!!!!