I can understand why people retire in Florida. As I get older I enjoy the cold temperatures less and less and crave the sunshine. Winter can be a tough season and it’s easy for me to list all the things I hate about winter. I’ve been obsessively reading the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and loved this recent post Anne shared on keeping a list of things big and small which were helping her get through the winter months. Anne got this idea after reading Barbara Brown Taylor’s memoir Leaving Church. It’s sort of like keeping a gratitude journal and a way to focus on the things that bring you joy. I decided to participate in her link up and share the simple joys that help get me through the winter months.
Here are a few things on my list.
- Getting together with friends.- Making a point to meet with people on a regular basis and get out of the house.
- A good book – My book club recently read The Nightingale and we all loved it. You can find more of my favorite reads in my shop.
- My morning ritual of coffee, prayer and journaling. Journaling has been a life saver for me in terms of unloading all of the chatter in my head.
- TheraSeal hand lotion- My hairstylist told me about this lotion and it has helped keep my hands from cracking and bleeding like they normally due all winter long.
- Lavender oil – to help ease my sinus headaches. This post lists some other benefits of lavender oil.
- I’ve recently started using Jergens Wet Skin Moisturizer and love it.
- My Ugg slippers
- Watching the new and sadly final season of Downton Abbey.
- An occasional sunny day. It helps me remember that the sun is still there we just can’t always see it.
- Exercise- It feels good to sweat and I really enjoy practicing yoga. Are you participating in my February exercise challenge?
- Amazon Prime– We definitely get our money back as Amazon Prime members. I purchased a lot of my Christmas gifts on Amazon this past year. You can’t beat free two-day shipping and we also watch some of their free movies. It’s a great way to shop if you’re in the middle of a snowstorm.
What’s on your list? I hope you’ll share one or two things that help get you through the often gloomy and doldrum days of winter. Check out my past winter favorites here and here.
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I actually kind of like winter most of the time, I love a walk in cold, brisk air and I enjoy a beautiful snowfall.
I do love doing jig saw puzzles all winter long. Another hobby I tend to pick up in winter more than any other time of year is cross stitching and embroidering.
Thanks for sharing Anne. One of the things I like about winter too is I don’t feel guilty being inside doing certain hobbies because it’s too cold to be outside. It gives us permission to slow down and nest. Not that we need it, but it’s a seasonal thing for me. I love a beautiful snowfall too for about two or three days 🙂
I love to cook! I like to try new soups and crockpot recipes. Today I am making Escarole and beans. My mom use to make this all the time in winter.
Thanks for sharing Christine. There’s nothing better than a nice warm bowl of soup in the wintertime.
Hi Dawn,
I enjoy your list and Downton Abbey is on my mine as well as journaling, Amazon Prime and my wonderful Yoga class on Monday and Wednesday. Hope all is well with you…yours is one blog that I continue to follow and read just about every day. Take care.
-Helen
Thanks for your sweet comment Helen. It sounds like we enjoy a lot of the same things. I hope all is well with you as well 🙂 I feel like we’ve been pretty lucky so far this winter.
This is a great list! We share several items here and I’m excited to try some new ones you have listed. The book and lotion especially.
What is saving me this winter is ginger tea, good old fashioned chapstick, and my favorite TV shows are back! Shameless, Downton, and Blacklist!
Thanks for sharing Angela! We just started watching The Blacklist. It’s addictive! Thanks for the recommendation.
I love Downtown Abbey too! So sad it’s the last season. Durning the winter I take more time to go through closets and cabinets it feels sooo good to declutter. I love trying new soups in the winter and sitting in the glow of the fireplace reading a good book or watching a tv show.
Great list. It is good to focus on the postive during these gloomy days. It really does help you appreciate the sunshine! I love downtown abbey too. Will be sad when it is over.