Winter has become a perfect time to venture into trying new activities that keep me from struggling with the lack of vitamin D… and hibernate. Starting Gilmore Girls this semester has inspired me to romanticize the below-freezing temps this year! The sun needs a little more time to rest during the cold months, and so do we. But hey, if you feel like doing something with your free time that is not freezing in line to get into a local bar every weekend, keep reading!
ORGANIZE YOUR CLOSET
If you thrive off having to feel productive, cleaning/organizing can do the trick. With winter clothes and shoes being much bulkier than our warmer weather closets, you may need more space in your closet. You may find that shirt you have been looking for forever ago or items that just gotta go!
A COffEE SHOP MOMENT
Sorry, Starbs, I love you, but a local, cute, cozy coffee shop always wins my heart! I once met this girl who told me that she and her friends would grab hot cocoa at Dog Lane Cafe each year on the first snow of the season. Isn’t that so cute? There are so many quaint coffee/shops and cafes around. It just takes a few google searches or TikTok recommendations to find one near you!
SLAY A WINTER SPORT
Okay, skiing and snowboarding can be totally intimidating if you have never tried them! I still have not mastered either, but I have a lot of fun on the bunny hill, plus it is less expensive since I don’t need to pay for a ski lift ticket. However, maybe you’re already a pro at skiing or snowboarding, so take this as a sign to go more often this season. Or you may not want to attempt these sports, but luckily there are other, safer alternatives such as snow tubing, ice skating, or sledding.
HOST A GAME NIGHT
Game night can be a chill and light-hearted way to spend time with loved ones while it is freezing outside. Some of my favorite games that I have played this year are Sequence, Telestrations, and Cover Your Assets. Uno and Monopoly are a must, too. And if you feel a bit more introverted, doing a puzzle on your own or with your bestie is the perfect alternative.
CREATE A 2023 VISION BOARD
What better way to start a new year than with a vision board? Last year I made one using pictures from Pinterest and creating a little PowerPoint slide to set some inspiration for the new year. This year, my bestie and I are taking it a step further and making it from scratch with inspiration from magazines, printouts, books, and whatever we can find! A vision board can help you visualize how you would like 2023 to go for you and can help set those intentions for your future.
EXPLORE A CITY
Whether you want to explore a huge city like New York or a small one like New Haven, there are always cool things to do in a city. If you are going to NYC, you can catch a Broadway Show (Broadway week is coming soon). If you are going to New Haven, you can stop by Frank Pepe’s for pizza after appreciating Yale University’s Art Gallery. If you go to Boston, try ice skating at Frog Pond or explore the Quincy Market area. If you need to keep the explorations on a budget, there are inexpensive and quick spots to grab a bite of food or free activities throughout the city.
ATTEND A WORKOUT CLASS
My favorite workout classes to attend are yoga classes. Don’t get me wrong, YouTube is a great way to do a free workout class at home, but making it to a class in-person makes a difference for me. A great way to find workout classes is to use the MindBody app, which can lead you to many trial memberships at different fitness studios. So far, I have tried two different yoga studios for two weeks and can attend as many classes as I want for only $30. A single drop-in class is usually $10-25, so it is easy to get your money’s worth with a 2-week trial and a great way to get more comfortable working out in a group if it is not your thing.
COOK FOR YOUR LOVED ONES
Something about cooking or baking makes me feel so accomplished because most of my money goes to eating out. Oops! Sometimes life can also be so hectic, which is a huge reason why cooking or baking is put on the back burner, at least in my case. However, winter comes with snow days or days off with the holidays, which gives us plenty of time to perfect or try out recipes. This brings me to my next point. These recipes can be shared with those you love. It is no secret that food can bring people together. Consider cooking something up if you end up hosting a game night!
SPA DAY
During the winter, we need a little more pampering! The cold weather can be nasty to our delicate skin. It is a perfect time to splurge on face and hair masks from Target or make your own at home. After a busy holiday season, everyone can be looking for a little reset. Put that face mask on while watching your favorite show or movie or reading so that you can relax a little. Your mind and body will thank you!
CHANGE YOUR LOOK
You know the saying: new year, new me! If you want to try something different with your hair, do it. It can add to the fresh start of a new year. If you’re not feeling a drastic change, your hair can always use a little trim to grow healthier. If you are sick of your current wardrobe after organizing your closet, you can see what pieces you can experiment with or new details you could add to your new style. Or if you’re content with your hair and wardrobe, redecorating your place can be all the change you need this winter.
Add your own ideas to this list or scratch out the things you really don’t want to do. Anything to keep you warm, rested, and happy sounds like a good idea to me.