Winter is KILLING me this year

[Anonymous]

PP is right. You need better clothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know this sounds maddening, but honestly, for me it's the clothing.

When I was a kid my parents were out outdoorsy at all. They never taught me about proper footwear and didn't really do athletic wear or performance-gear (whatever it was in the 90s...like they never would have tought to do a northface like coat but instead were like "hey this is a heavier pea coat!") so I just didn't know how to dress for the cold. My mom wore flats and heels all year round, on ice, and was just cold. Even now they don't really wear sneakers or warm coats beyond fashionable ones. Gloves were one layer of leather or thin woven. They are old school. It's so odd in retrospect.

It wasn't until I was in my 20s and met my husband that I realized there were DIFFERENT kinds of boots, some stylish, for rain and snow and snow at work etc... I learned about layering and the differences between a wool bodysuit under a blazer with a scarf versus just three layers of cotton or silk.

I now walk outdoors almost every single day (avoiding ice and cold rain when possible) and beyond a cold face where its exposed I am never cold. Indoors I just layer up (doesn't have to be bulky) and I also keep a heating pad at work. Blankets all over the house.

You can be warmer. I promise. But winter is still dreary and not pleasant.

Hey friend, I’m the poster from the Midwest who isn’t supposed to be on this thread, lol. Try the electric heated gloves out now! They are amazing and charge with a USB cord. Wonderful for those of us with poor circulation. The heated jackets/vests are awesome too. I don’t understand being cold now with so many great options for warm clothes.

[Anonymous]

Suggested purchases:
Heated vest and heated gloves
Candles and fairy lights for light in your house
Something that makes your house smell nice. Maybe that candle, maybe something else.
A new cozy blanket.
A special mug and new tea/coffee

Basically try and reframe the winter to be a time to celebrate coziness

[Anonymous]

The lack of daylight has gotten to me. Even when it is nice out, I don't want to go out, or even leave my comfy, blanketed bed.

[Anonymous]

Any hobbies that can get you outside more? Winter is killing me also. Golf has been my main motivation, mainly for the steps. Hiking, bird watching, and gardening have also been helpful. Hoping for some spring soon!

[Anonymous]

Just succumb to it, OP. I used to feel guilty about being a sloth in Winter but now I believe it’s kind to allow our bodies to slow down and rest. In Spring/Summer/Fall I work out all the time, socialize, entertain, etc. but right now my body wants to hibernate. Who am I to argue lol? I sleep a lot, read a lot, watch tons of tv and eat lots of soup and I’m happy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just succumb to it, OP. I used to feel guilty about being a sloth in Winter but now I believe it’s kind to allow our bodies to slow down and rest. In Spring/Summer/Fall I work out all the time, socialize, entertain, etc. but right now my body wants to hibernate. Who am I to argue lol? I sleep a lot, read a lot, watch tons of tv and eat lots of soup and I’m happy.

Haha, this! I feel the same way, the rest of the year we are always outdoors. It’s so nice to just be home. And honestly with all the madness around us, it’s good to just take it easy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s been a mild, easy winter and you live in the mid-Atlantic anyway. I live where J haven’t seen the ground since the beginning of December and even then it’s been mild.

Untrue.We have had much more snow than normal. It has been cold and I also have been feeling unmotivated and am watching too much TV.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just succumb to it, OP. I used to feel guilty about being a sloth in Winter but now I believe it’s kind to allow our bodies to slow down and rest. In Spring/Summer/Fall I work out all the time, socialize, entertain, etc. but right now my body wants to hibernate. Who am I to argue lol? I sleep a lot, read a lot, watch tons of tv and eat lots of soup and I’m happy.

I like your attitude!

[Anonymous]

I agree OP. I hate it. I love the summer and heat and the longer days.

[Anonymous]

I started wearing longjohns under my pants this year. It helps. The socks they make these days are pretty bad--either too short, too thin, or too tight and cut off my circulation. I find looser, thicker socks keep my feet warmer.

[Anonymous]

I agree OP. I have very warm clothes, but I just want to feel the sun on my skin, sweat a little and smell the fresh earth as I prepare the garden.

Until then I wait for sunny afternoons and sit in my car to soak up what I can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know this sounds maddening, but honestly, for me it's the clothing.

When I was a kid my parents were out outdoorsy at all. They never taught me about proper footwear and didn't really do athletic wear or performance-gear (whatever it was in the 90s...like they never would have tought to do a northface like coat but instead were like "hey this is a heavier pea coat!") so I just didn't know how to dress for the cold. My mom wore flats and heels all year round, on ice, and was just cold. Even now they don't really wear sneakers or warm coats beyond fashionable ones. Gloves were one layer of leather or thin woven. They are old school. It's so odd in retrospect.

It wasn't until I was in my 20s and met my husband that I realized there were DIFFERENT kinds of boots, some stylish, for rain and snow and snow at work etc... I learned about layering and the differences between a wool bodysuit under a blazer with a scarf versus just three layers of cotton or silk.

I now walk outdoors almost every single day (avoiding ice and cold rain when possible) and beyond a cold face where its exposed I am never cold. Indoors I just layer up (doesn't have to be bulky) and I also keep a heating pad at work. Blankets all over the house.

You can be warmer. I promise. But winter is still dreary and not pleasant.

Hey friend, I’m the poster from the Midwest who isn’t supposed to be on this thread, lol. Try the electric heated gloves out now! They are amazing and charge with a USB cord. Wonderful for those of us with poor circulation. The heated jackets/vests are awesome too. I don’t understand being cold now with so many great options for warm clothes.

Could you give a quick rundown of what you wear on a typical day? Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Coldest winter I remember in decades.

Can’t hold a candle to Snowmageddon!…a decade and a half ago.

[Anonymous]

I always felt guilty about how lazy I feel in January and February. Everyone else is making resolutions and seems to feel a sense of renewal. Meanwhile I am practically hibernating. Then I was reading my friend’s blog. She’s really good. She wrote about how winter is a time to rest and recover and that it is not the best time for a fresh start or renewal. Spring is a better time for that. It really resonated with me and I no longer feel that guilt. The year is busy. The holidays are busy and exhausting. It is ok for us to take several weeks to hibernate! Lean in to it! Once March gets here, make sure to start waking up though.