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I’ve said over and over again that winter is my least favorite season. In fact, when fall hit I used to immediately get this overwhelmed feeling since we were on the “downhill slide into winter”. Yes- I was willing to let a season I actually really enjoyed (fall) be a lousy experience for me because I knew that winter came after it. How silly of me, right?
But then I decided to let go of some of the negative soundtrack I had created in my head about winter. Since I couldn’t change winter (without moving, at least!), I chose to change myself instead (since that’s all we really have control over anyways). When I started to complain about how cold it was, I’d try to throw something in that I was thankful for because of it (i.e. “AGH- I really don’t like this cold, but at least it means that I can drink hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows in it!”). I started to focus on some of the good things within the season, and I began to notice a change.
Last Wednesday I was driving someone in my car, and I let out a long sigh and said “Gosh- I really love winter.” WHAT?! WHERE DID THIS COME FROM? Seriously- I shocked myself, especially since it was single digits and quite chilly. After years of anger and “hatred” being my response to a season, out comes this outpouring of enjoyable feelings instead. I checked myself to make sure things were ok (that wasn’t just a fever talking, was it?) and sure enough, that’s how I was actually feeling at the moment. It seems that my hard work of changing my attitude over the past 2-3 winters has started to pay off, and my attitude is changing.
Is winter my favorite season? Not even close! I don’t like my skin hurting when I go outside, I don’t like being afraid when I have to drive to work on ice, I don’t getting up 15 minutes early to scrape my car, and I don’t like having to give up my outdoor activities. I miss the long days of sunshine. But just because there are things I don’t like about it doesn’t mean that I can’t have things I love about it too!
I love the coziness of being wrapped in a blanket. I love drinking hot tea and hot chocolate in the evenings. I love white lights (especially under snow), and I LOVE how beautiful and peaceful it is to take a walk outside in gently falling snow.
Like I’ve said before- things aren’t all-or-nothing, and we can also choose to be happy even in circumstances that we aren’t the most thrilled with. We can choose to thrive in the winter if we want. I’ve put in the effort, and it’s starting to pay off.
There are actually things I like about the winter. I can choose to be happy in the winter. Woah.
Now it’s your turn to share! Tell me one thing that you enjoy about the winter season?
Wearing super cozy scarves!
YES!! I love that! 🙂
Running in winter (when the temperatures are a bit more reasonable than they have been these past couple weeks, at least) makes me feel super badass. Also, a fresh snowfall can be pretty.
SO true on both accounts! I actually don’t mind running outside at all in the 20s and 30s.
Winter is definitely my least favorite season but lately I haven’t hated it as much as years past. In the fall I even found myself looking forward to curling up on the couch with a warm blanket and a good book, having relatively plan-free weekends, running the woodstove, etc. – all things I can’t do in spring/summer/fall.
It’s so great to be able to recognize that, even in less than ideal circumstances, we’re still able to gain something we can’t get in other seasons! I’m glad you’ve been able to start shifting how you feel about winter as well!
Sometimes acknowledging the simple things you like about a season can make a difference in your overall outlook. Such a great lesson!
It’s amazing how much our thoughts have an impact on our feelings.
Sometimes I read your blog and swear you’re in my head! I gave myself a similar project this past year. I’ve always been the type to dread winter as well. I hate the work commute in snow. My toes are always cold. I miss running in the warm sunshine and not having to wear layers every time I leave the house. But I realized that I was doing the same thing as you… letting my FAVORITE season of fall be ruined as I dreaded the cold months. And I was spending like 4 motnhs of the year being grumpy and borderline depressed. So, I have myself a mission to try to appreciate the good parts of every season and found that there is great beauty in winter. I love how the sky has that pretty gray color when it snows, even in the evening the sky stays lighter when it’s snowing. I like seeing the tree branches covered in snow. I love the smell of firewood burning and the feel of warm blankets. I appreciate my workouts so much more because they let me have those endorphins, even when it’s cold. It was a really good project.
I also realized that it’s important for me to plan exiciting things for every season- trips, goals, activities to keep my spirits up. What about you?
Now I’m just looking forward to those first warm days and the first daffodils and tulips popping up!
That’s so funny that things are so similar between us!! I’m glad you’ve been able to recognize the thought processes and start to focus on the positives- I’m sure it’s helped! I like to focus on things I’m excited about, and I try hard to redirect my grumbling. It’s fine to acknowledge the cold, but I don’t let myself get angry and overwhelmed by it. That makes a bit difference. I’m REALLY looking forward to flowers.
This is such a great reminder of how we ultimately control our thoughts and attitudes about things, especially those things that are out of our control. I needed this today. ☺
Winter is definitely my least favorite season, but I do like the fact that is gives me time to relax and slow down. I appreciate the time to work inside (without wishing I were outside doing something fun – like I do in the summer), watch movies and my favorite tv shows, sip on warm soups and beverages, and bundle up for those winter outings. It’s definitely a nice change and I feel rejuvenated and ready once spring/summer rolls around.
That’s true- I struggle to get things done sometimes in the summer because I just want to be outside constantly!
[…] out (I woke up nice and stiff), I headed outside for a beautiful walk! I’ve realized for me, learning to like winter means engaging with it and enjoying the various aspects of it. For me, walking outside is part of […]