| Joy |
The holiday season is almost over, and the winter solstice has passed. Winter has officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere. I hope your holidays were merry and you’re looking forward to ringing in 2025 in the coming week. After all the go, go, go of the holidays, the quiet of winter might feel a little too quiet, but if you allow the peace of wintertime to settle in, it can be a special time of the year. I find the colder weather and shorter daylight hours are good encouragement to slow down and regroup. Here are some ideas to do just that and to help you enjoy and welcome wintertime.
1. Curl up by a fire with your favorite warm drink
~ Find time to pause and be present by the warmth of a fireplace, fire pit, or campfire with your favorite warm drink. Engage all your senses and enjoy. ~
2. Organize & plan your 2025
~ As 2025 begins, pause and reflect on where you are in life and what you’d like to achieve in the next year. Then plan out your 2025 year. Try the Target Your Life Yearly Planner I created. The planner will help you focus, set goals, organize your year, and continue the ideas found in Target Your Life: A Guide to Get You from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM3G2CKP ~
3. Treat yourself to a winter wardrobe update
~ As the weather gets cold, treat yourself to a new winter outfit… Perhaps a beautiful coat and a matching set of gloves, scarf and hat, maybe a new workout set to help you stay warm during outdoor walks or runs, possibly some comfortable, cozy pajamas with slippers, or even a nice sweater for everyday. ~
4. Engage your senses in nature during winter
~ A great way to connect with each season is to engage your senses out in nature. Look around and see what winter brings. Stop and gaze at trees’ bare branches now that they’ve lost their leaves. Get outside and take a deep breath and smell the fresh, crisp air. Really taste the food of the season such as winter squash and pears. If you get snow, listen to snow crunching under your boots and stop feel the heat of the sun on a chilly walk. ~
5. Make an immune boosting soup
~ Try a new immune boosting soup recipe to warm you up and keep you healthy. I also always like to freeze some to have on hand incase of illness. Here’s an article with recipes ideas… https://www.domino.com/content/immune-system-boosting-soup/ ~
6. Put out some birdseed for the birds
~ Birds appreciate birdseed, especially in the winter. Their natural food sources aren’t as available durning winter, and a consistent source of available food will help them through the season. Plus it will encourage them to hang around your home, allowing you the pleasure of watching and listening to them. ~
However you choose to connect with the season of winter, I hope it’s filled with joy and fun! I’d love to hear any other ideas you have to enjoy wintertime below.