The long, dark winter
We’ve known this winter was coming. And it’s here. Nowhere to go indoors. No gym, sauna, hot yoga, or indoor pool for kid energy release. No airplane flights to look forward to. Just cozy life at home.
And literally doing this puzzle 100 times! What can I say? The kid loves trucks.
I always struggle in the winter, on a normal year.
If the sun is out, I’m OK.
But when that cloud cover is thick and gray, I definitely have trouble keeping my mood lifted.
Things that help: getting outside, reading fiction (esp. a tropical escape), watching Survivor (so bummed there isn’t a new season), vitamin D supplements (I take 2000 IU a day all winter), and my cozy robe.
Friday Chili
On Friday night I had a happy hour with my neighbors around a fire pit, and we made a big pot of chili with cornbread.
Trader Joe’s cornbread mix – it’s the best ever – but it crumbled when we took it out too hot from the pan! Oops!
On Saturday morning we had omelets, whole wheat english muffins, and pear slices. (I ate a bunch more pear slices right from the cutting board.)
I got in a great Peloton ride, and we had a visit from Nona!
New Loungewear from Athleta
I traded two Athleta gift cards I received for my birthday for the Triumph Hoodie and the SUPERSOFT Salutation Joggers, which are on sale right now. These are like the Align leggings from Lululemon, but loose in the legs with pockets. NEW FAV!
Leggings on the top, joggers on the bottom. Supersoft buttery fabric!
I also bought some masks! Believe it or not, all the masks I have were handmade or gifts. I needed more. I love that these masks have words of hope on them: Kindness, Peace, Love. They are silky soft and very nice.
Playground time!
Walk Downtown
Birch woke up early and a little grumpy, so we all got out of the house for fresh air.
Going to the downtown mall makes me feel connected to people, and it was uplifting! I love where we live, and I really miss the community.
When he saw the giant crane, his mood lifted!
Piles and piles of leaves on the way home.
Chili Round II for dinner
Yes those are Fritos!! A T-daddy chili special. And Scout + Cellar Zinfandel.
Easy Like Sunday morning
Larabar sent me their new cereal to try – I love the Cashew Cookie bars, so this was good! The clusters are huge and it was super crunchy.
B helped me package up some Beautycounter gifts for some clients. He wanted to open them back up.
We played a “worker” game while Thomas rode the bike, and then I went out for a long walk. I decided to take a day off of soccer in exchange for a walk outside to rest a little hip pain I had last week.
Lunchtime
For lunch I heated up some leftover noodles with a few handfuls of baby spinach, red pepper, and some JM Stock ham in a skillet. All topped with Parmesan cheese. The ham totally made it!
I’m at that point in the winter where I just don’t find big salads very appealing for lunch, so I’ve been sautéing spinach whenever I can. This started as literally 2+ cups!
Nap time
And then we all took naps!! I’m reading The Giver of the Stars from my library and while it took a long time for me to get hooked, it’s really good now and set in small-town Kentucky.
Birchie is reading Wheels on the Bus. Seriously if you have a toddler, buy this book immediately. The popups are awesome!!
Lampo Lift
I picked up Lampo to take to our friends’ house for dinner – they have a newborn baby! While I only got to see him from a distance through the door, I hope he’s not one year old before I can hold him.
Angie says
I totally agree, sun and getting outside is key to surviving this winter. I have that Athleta hoodie and it totally faded in the wash. Otherwise I love their stuff.
Kath Younger says
Oh bummer! They will take anything back after wear + wash – you could exchange it?
Bobbi says
I don’t comment often but I enjoyed this post. We have spent a lot of our time doing projects around the house we just bought in Sept ….this weekend we ripped out some nasty old wallpaper in the bathroom and are working on the remodel.
My husband’s niece was born in May and it will be a year before we get to meet her. Just trying to look forward to the day we do! Also, we have been eating substantially more pie than normal.
Kath Younger says
Yay for old wallpaper gone! Thanks for sharing : )
Cassie says
I just started watching old episodes of Survivor on Hulu & it’s a nice escape… I hadn’t watched since the early seasons. Curious what your favorite recent season is (whenever I try to google best seasons there are spoilers!).
Kath Younger says
YES!! Favorites are:
Season 16: Micronesia (love the final 4)
Season 20: Heroes + Villains (if you are going to watch any prior to this, save this for when you’ve watched as many of those as you can)
Season 26: Caramoan (love some of the game play in this one)
Season 28: Cagayan (love the winner’s path!)
Season 34: Game Changers (returning players)
Season 40: Winners at War (I think the best season ever because all previous winners!!)
Cassie says
This is great! Thanks so much!
Denise says
I too have been working on my home and life to-do lists. I decided early in the pandemic that I wasn’t going to let this free chunk of time just be frittered away (although I do a lot of frittering too lol!). My plan is to keep crossing things off the lists until we open back up here in San Diego, and then have nothing but FUN for the rest of the year! On a side note – Fritos on chili?! How have I never?? And crumbled cornbread is really good in the bottom of the bowl <3
Kath Younger says
Yes and yes. Most days I look at this free time as the cup half full, but the gray winter days are hardest mentally. I also want to have SO MUCH FUN when this is over!
Liz says
This winter is so hard!! No school for the kids, no activities or museums or libraries. Restaurants aren’t even open for indoor dining here (MI). Online school with a Kindergartener and 2nd grader literally sucks up most of our time on week days. I have been taking vitamin D, but I’ll admit that it’s been sooooo cold here that we haven’t spent much time outside at all lately. I’m so ready for sun and grass and walks, instead of just snow. I’m also SO bummed there’s no Survivor this year 🙁 I’ve been trying to declutter and organize every inch of our home just to give myself something constructive to do. I really should make exercise a priority (we have a treadmill and a nice exercise bike) – you do such a great job of consistently working out! I just have zero motivation right now, even though I know it would make me feel better. Supposedly in about a month our kids are going to go back to school for shortened days, but I’ll believe it when I see it at this point.
Kath Younger says
Agree – we were naming all of the things we would normally be doing in the winter with the kids (and with us) and just going over to a friends house would be so nice right now. We were supposed to go back to school this week and it got delayed to March 8 at the earliest. I’ll also believe it when I see it : (
Sally says
One of my best friends from middle school just had her first baby, and so far we’ve only been able to meet him through their glass storm door as well 🙁 So sad to think we may not actually be able to meet and spend time with him for many more months. I agree with you that the winter is so far just as rough as we predicted without our usual indoor activities, or travel to a warm destination. It does look like it will be pretty mild weather-wise in Virginia in February – fingers crossed that forecast doesn’t change!
Kath Younger says
I hope so! People keep saying they want snow but nope!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I didn’t know Larabar made cereal! Would love to try it, it looks so good! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Kath Younger says
It’s new!
Katie D. says
Right now I’m struggling. With working at home (and missing office friends SO much) and being home all weekend too, the days run together and it just feels MEH!
This weekend I took a long, hot shower, worked outside in the sun a little bit (so cold though!) and tackled a home project (pulled out every shelf and drawer in the fridge and washed it all). It helped some, but dang, I’m ready for even the smallest return to normal.
Kath Younger says
Haha you are like me with the fridge cleaning ; )
vicki says
Hello from England where we are in strict national lockdown. Like you guys, I’ve got a locldown todo list. Working our way through home improvements, learning a new language, working out and trying new recipes. Plus homeschooling on top of my regular job.
It’s hard to stay positive and I find some days I’m ok.and others I’m not. Schools not opening before March here either but many people think it will be easter.
Stay strong everyone!
Pamela says
Here in CO, we’ve just decided to bundle up and enjoy the outdoors, even when it’s blizzarding. (I admittedly do not have kids but am 20 weeks pregnant with my first!). So this looks a lot like wearing full ski gear while hanging out by backyard space heaters with friends, going on snow hikes/snowshoeing, and crashing various fire pits at friend’s apartment complexes and/or breweries! It’s not perfect but my LL Bean fleece-lined camp pants have been THE BEST investment, as has my stuffable Eddie Bauer camp blanket. Oh, and lots of hot chocolate!!!
We got this! It’s almost February which means it’s almost March which means it’s almost spring! And we’ll get vaccinated eventually and then I’m going to do a LOT of hugging. <3
Kath Younger says
Thank you for your optimism! I need to wear my ski pants to the next outdoor HH : )
Holly says
My light therapy box gets me through the winter SAD season! I can’t recommend it enough
Ellen says
Ha, my little guys have gone through THREE copies of that Wheels on the Bus book, that’s how “loved” it is at our house… we give it as a gift to friends with young children all the time too.
Kath Younger says
Haha awwww! Ours is well taped 🙂
Anna says
This winter is my coldest (just moved to from SC to Switzerland with my German husband). Thankfully I have a neighbor to go walking with each morning and they say there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing choices. I’m also busy studying German with an online class. I started reading more, with a goal to finish 52 books this year. Can’t wait for warmer weather though!
Kath Younger says
Haha that is a great motto!!
Erin says
I think getting outside is key. We put up a badminton net in the backyard and have been having a blast playing whenever we get the chance. Regarding the Fritos on chili, have you ever tried the Trader Joe’s Mexican street corn corn dippers? They are THE BEST!
Kath Younger says
I haven’t tried those!!
Courtney says
I am also reading The Giver of Stars and agree completely! Took me a while, but now I’m hooked too!
Kath Younger says
Yes!! I’m almost finished.
Jane says
1. Your new haircut is SO cute. Well played.
2. Unrelated, but your book comment reminded me to thank you for the Where the Crawdads Sing recommendation! I finished it a couple of weeks ago and I’m still thinking about it.
3. I hear you on the need to get outdoors. We’re Canadian so it’s bloody freezing out there, and we’re still outside for a couple of hours every day, or else both boys and both parents are whining by evening. Winter is particularly tough this year. Cozy robes FTW!
Kath Younger says
Thanks!! And I still think about that book…
K~ says
I’m in Fl, so while our weather is pleasent this is still a republican state so we have hoards running around and in stores with no masks on….sigh.
Get with the program people.
Fauci is finally saying just how brutal all the lying was in the WH. SO SAD at the cost of lives.
WE ARE realizing how much we LOVE being home.
Kath Younger says
Ugh that is so disgusting to hear!!
Kimberly says
I’ve been feeling just blah lately. I long to get back to normal. I miss hugging my mother and sisters. One thing I know for sure is that I won’t be taking a lot of things for granted like I used to! Hang in there.
Sarah says
Really appreciate you keepin’ it real – real food and real feelings! It’s nice to know that other people are struggling too, even when all the big, important stuff is going OK (health, income, etc.). When you have a platform like yours I’m sure it’s tempting to always portray a positive vibe, but showing the other side is such a relief to those of us who are also feeling this way. My therapist described it as “boredom” – not in the traditional sense, but in the way that my mind craves socialization to keep it from feeling restless and “bored”, and no matter how full the day can be with work / cleaning / childcare (I don’t have kids), that doesn’t mean your brain is being stimulated. My partner can go days or even weeks without seeing other people and be totally fine, but not me!
As ridiculous as this sounds, I’m also a bit nervous for the overloaded social schedule that awaits us (hopefully sooner than later!) – I have a feeling I might be craving a day with no plans when that happens! Ha!
Thanks so much for keeping it real.
Kath Younger says
That makes a lot of sense. And I’m also strangely worried about being too busy on the other side. I have a post about this written in my head!
C L says
I’m feeling this way too. Blahs of winter, eager for next phase of opening back up and yet don’t want to go back to all the everything.
Melanie says
I’m a summer girl so like you, I struggle during these gray, rainy (in the Deep South) days. A couple of years ago, though, I decided to lean into it more. I invested in some really cozy clothes, a pair of Ugg boots (I was YEARS late on that trend!) and treat myself to hot cocoa several times a week. Last year we even decided to travel to Vermont for Pres Day weekend! As I said, lean into it!
My other strategy is looking at this time of year as prep mode! I’ve been doing a lot of cleanup and planning in my yard/garden on mild days. When it’s finally time to plant flowers and enjoy leisure time outside, everything will be tidy and I can just putter, relax and enjoy the sunshine on my back!
Kath Younger says
I need Ugg boots…
And I can’t wait for garden time!
Kerry says
That is tough. Thinking of you, Kath. Here in south Texas we are in our nicest season, but I had summer dread bc it is so hot and long. We had “week themes” w the kids where we would focus on one thing (cooking project, painting… other themes I forget now). You are good w routine and doing all the right things! We will get through this!
Kath Younger says
Remind me of this when we hit 100 degrees in July! I’m not allowed to complain 🙂
Amanda says
Kath, so much I loved about this post including sharing your struggles, pictures, and your tips for not getting down. For me, the workouts are such a big key with the endorphins they provide. Also, I find when I focus on others who are suffering and how I can serve them by a home cooked meal (like you mentioned you did) or a kind note or encouraging text, it is amazing how refreshing that is for our own souls to focus on others needs, especially at times we are tempted to feel down.
I just bought that athleta sweatshirt a few days ago in camo and love it too! So soft, right? I too am excited to try that Larabar cereal as that is one of the brands I trust for my son. Love their simple ingredients and no fillers.
And last, good for you all doing a bonfire with neighbors and hearty food! I bet that was so good for your soul and mood! I hope to be able to do a lot more like that soon… we are moving into our first single family home since living in a town home for 13 years… So excited!
Kath Younger says
Congrats on the new home!
Andrea says
I actually am a fan of winter – I’m a introvert AND and indoorsy type, so it suits me! It’s so cozy. I strangely find summer makes me feel guilty – feeling like if I’m not outside every minute of the day I’m somehow “wasting” it. The difficult part about winter for me is keeping my 5 year old off screens – often it feels like there’s nothing else to do after it gets dark around 5 pm, she’s cranky and she’s already played out from the day.
Kath Younger says
Totally hear you on both fronts!
Cathy says
I am like you as far as having the sun out! I don’t like the cold, but if the sun is out, then it isn’t quite so bad.
I wanted to comment because I have been reading a book I think you may like…in fact I ended up buying the book because I found myself checking it out from the library over the years way too many times, figured it would be much easier to just have it! It is called Lost on the Appalachian Trail by Kyle Rohrig….this is by far my favorite book of all time. I am a beach bum like you, but also love hiking and the outdoors.
https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Appalachian-Trail-Kyle-Rohrig/dp/1514747561/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=kyle+rohrig&qid=1611623147&s=books&sr=1-3
Kath Younger says
thank you!! I will check the library. I love adventure books.
Amanda says
Those are beautiful face masks. Im going to have to add them to my wishlist.
I enjoy reading up on how everyone else is coming along with their winter days, especially with a 2.5 year old. Always love a few ideas for activities!
Right now we are being pretty conservative with indoor exposure so most things need to be something we can do outside. Which is why I’m desperate for warmer weather. Tomorrow is a high of -40 up here on the ND/MN border. If it was just me, my husband and the cat, I’d hunker down with lots of tea and new books, but with a toddler, not going to happen until naptime or bedtime! Keeping my chin up that its already the end of January!
Kath Younger says
-40 is insanely cold!!!
Caitlin says
One thing we have been doing (with our 6 and 2 year old) is every 3-4 months, spending one night in a local hotel. We spent some time calling around to see which hotels still had their indoor pool open, and what precautions they were taking. We found a place we can go where they only let your family swim for 45 minutes at a time, with 15 minutes between reservations for cleaning and sanitizing. We check in, make a couple swim time reservations, grab some pizza for dinner and head home the next day! It’s a fun treat for the kids and a nice break from “normal” life for us. Plus the hotels need the business!
Diana says
I take vitamin D as well and came across this article from Yale the other day that changed my perspectives on how much to take, I thought you might find it interesting. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/vitamin-d-myths-debunked tl;dr 650 IU is usually plenty for an adult and taking too much can actually be harmful.
Kath Younger says
I’ll check it out
Debra says
My doctor just told me the same thing. I use to take a lot more. He said not to go over a 1000 IUs.