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All right, folks, it's the middle of a morning on a Wednesday, I've got a moment to breathe, and I'm in the mood for a TWITTER RAMBLE about winter. Because I love winter! And so many people hate it. Maybe I can help you find some joy in these cold, dark months.
First off: SAD is a thing. Seasonal depression is real, it's chemical, and I can't fix that. And I'm not going to try to. I acknowledge your legit brain shittiness this time of year and I send love.
Okay, first off: understand that this is a time when we really SHOULD be hunkering down, resting, sleeping, and gathering around the hearth for reflection. Our capitalist society is all about extravagance and running around for the holidays, and that's going to feel exhausting.
I have two first offs. That's okay. I'm not editing, I'm rambling, and you're along for the ride. So I'll give another. First off: in the post-holiday period, there's going to be a lot of media shit about NEW YEAR NEW YOU. Discipline. Asceticism. These are not winter feels.
Set aside all that stuff about buckling down. Save that for spring, when there's more light and you actually start to want to do work. Right now is all about COZINESS and we are going to cultivate it as much as possible.
Do you hate winter, or do you hate being cold? Or both? If you hate being cold, and you have to go out in the cold, spend some time learning about real layering. Look at resources from winter hikers and campers. Understand the role of each layer in your warmth.
If people want me to, I'm happy to do another thread sometime in proper winter layering. I do winter hiking and exploration with students and I teach them about layering for cold. With proper layers along with food/movement, you can be comfortable no matter what the weather.
Cold in your home? BLANKETS, folks. An electric couch throw, or an electric blanket for your bed, or even a little electric cape when you're working at your desk. They even make electric slippers. Toast yourself up.
You want SOFT and you want WARM. Pajama pants, cozy sweats, fuzzy socks. Fuzzy wool socks are the best! Alpaca socks fill my winter heart with joy.
What makes your space cozy? Light a candle, put on music if you like it. Try to keep a cozy spot clean for yourself so you have a place to curl up or settle. Your house doesn't need to be clean, but you want some relaxing nest.
I say nest, I mean nest. I'm a burrowing creature. Pillows, blankets, etc. Don't get them near the candles. This is a season of *indulgence,* people.
This is a great time of year to bake. Snow days are synonymous in my mind with baking bread. Bread is not as difficult as people think, but it takes time, and it makes you focus on the task at hand. That's a gift in difficult times.
Plus, bread is cheap to make. Flour, water, salt, yeast. Sometimes oil/butter/seasonings. Go deep diving on the King Arthur Baking website and try something out.
Hot Beverages. Coffee is delightful, but for me it's a morning-wakeup-time to work beverage. Tea, hot chocolate, hot cider, these are "settle down and be cozy" beverages.
It's SOUP season. Make some soup. Goes great with your bread.
