How to survive the longest winter ever (that's still not technically over!)

  Well, it's April 18th and guess what?  It's STILL snowing!  We found a picture on our phone from last year taken exactly a year prior on April 13th, and the kids were in tee shirts, the lake was melted and flowing and there was not one speck of snow, only new life growing in.  This year is a stark difference to that picture, the lake is still completely frozen, we are still bundling up in all the winter gear, and snow still covers the ground in a thick layer.  It's easy to complain about this eternal winter situation, we've had sub zero temps and snow since the end of October, that was 6 months ago, a whole half year with no leaves on the trees.  But since this is our life and this is where we live, I decided early on to embrace winter, and to do what we can to enjoy every ounce of whatever God gives us of this frozen season.  Through the past 6 months we have done our best to enjoy the north life, and all that winter has to offer, and I thought It would be fun to share some of our favourite things to help the winter be as joyful and beautiful a season as all the others!

  The #1 thing I've found that has helped is to GET OUTSIDE EVERYDAY!!!  Don't be afraid of the cold and elements, get warm clothes and proper outer gear and get outside every day if you can.  At the beginning of the winter I was taking our then small puppy on morning walks before everyone was even up for the day, and breathing in the brisk air and watching the sun rise up, it was so good for the soul!  And talk about a FRESH way to start the day off that will really wake you up.  A bit of physical activity, and chilled air does wonders!  If I wasn't able to make it out in the morning, after the time change as the sun started going down later, I moved my daily walks to the evening to catch the sunset through the trees.  I usually put in one ear bud (only one so I can still hear if cars are coming or bears haha but not really because I live in the woods) and listen to worship and praise music, or just soft instrumental music as I walk, and of course I take one of my pups with me.  Even if it's just 20 minutes, that is going to really give you a pick me up and a few of those lovely endorphins that get you feeling so nice.  Our kids also get outside to play every single day in the winter, we even did the 'kids in the nature challenge' during the month of February, and it was so great to show the kids early on that no matter what the weather is, get on out there and make the best of it!

LISTEN TO THE SOUNDS!  Winter is one of my favourite times of year to just LISTEN.  At the beginning of the season as the snow starts to fall, there is an amazing winter quiet that comes over everything.  Have you ever experienced it?  You can go outside, stand still and all you can hear are the snowflakes hitting the ground. It's amazing!  Sometimes an owl will call, or a woodpecker will start their rhythmic noise and you can hear every detail of it because all around everything else is quiet.  Now that spring is approaching I can hear so many different kinds of birds and their calls in detail, so many sounds that I know will soon be muffled out when summer comes and things get busier.  It reminds me of one of my favourite verses, Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”  When we are still and listen, God can reveal so much to us. 

TAKE PICTURES!  I love nature photography, but I used to think that it was only a good time to take beautiful pictures of nature when things were blooming and green.  I challenged myself this winter, to find the picture worthy moments in my winter surroundings and I was surprised to find that nearly every day there was something stunning for me to take a picture of.  Taking these lovely pictures showed me that it wasn't just a frozen world I was living in, but there was still life to be found.  The intricate crackles in the ice,  and the originality of each snowflake are things that hold so much beauty if we take the time to see them up close and appreciate them.  I also love the blanket of white that covers the ground during winter, it is so bright and clean and I personally think produces the prettiest sunrises!

TAKE TIME TO SLOW DOWN!  Winter is the perfect time to slow down...take the time to read the book you have been trying to finish, curl up with a blanket and a cup of tea and finish the knitting project you started last year (guilty!) bake a new recipe you have been wanting to try, but haven't had time to do or even start up a new hobby.  Many of the animals get to hibernate and I think we should follow suit too!  I intentionally don't plan too much in the winter, especially since it is my off season from photography work, it's always a great time to catch up and fill my cup to get ready for another busy season ahead. Living in such a busy world it can be tempting to try and stay on the go all the time, but it's OK to and even really good for you to take time to slow down.

FIND A WINTER SPECIFIC ACTIVITY YOU LOVE!  For us this year it was skating!  Mostly just on our lake, but also at the local outdoor rink and we even went on a skating trail that goes through the forest of one of our provincial parks.  The novelty of ice skating on our own lake right in front of our house, never wore off all winter!  The kids and I would shovel paths to skate on for hours, and even though they were wobbly at first they persisted and have become great skaters that truly enjoy getting out on the ice.  Maybe for you it is snowshoeing on the trails, or cross country skiing, whatever it is find the thing you love to do in the winter and do it lot's!  I already have a plan for next winter, once our puppy is full grown and we can try 'ski joring'  (google it, it's so cool!)

MAKE YOUR HOUSE COZY!  It may be dreary outside, but it doesn't have to be inside :) I like to use twinkly lights, soft blankets and candles to help keep the inside cozy during the long winter months.  We also added a lot of house plants this winter, which not only looks nice but it gives you something green to look at and something to water and care for, I've also been told they help purify the air.  I also put on my Himalayan salt lamp every night which gives off a warm light and staves off the winter blues.  It only takes a minute to do these things, and they bring so much comfort and joy.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY!  Even though it's the season of cozy pants and sweatshirts as well as holiday treats, it's still a great idea to eat healthy nourishing foods and do some sort of exercise throughout the winter months.  I try to eat as healthy as I can, but I fully believe a treat here and there is GOOD for you :) as well rest is so good for you too, but staying active will help you feel so much better.  It doesn't have to be anything intense, my favourite form of workout this winter has been yoga!  It get's my blood flowing and stretches and strengthens my muscles, and I can do it right in my own home in a small space.  Whatever your fave way to be active is, keep doing it through the long winter not just in the spring and summer ;).

Lastly the winter is a great time to ORGANIZE AND PURGE!  When the summer comes here I know we will be outside ALL THE TIME, and things like organizing closets is not going to be on my radar.  So while stuck inside more then we'd like in the cold weather, why not use it as a time to be productive and get some stuff done.  I've gone through all my drawers and closets and donated and minimized and I've done two of my kids drawers as well, (currently working on the oldest to try on certain pants to see if they fit LOL) but it feels so great to lighten the load, and we definitely do this at least once a year if not more.  Now onto purging the toys....this process I dread, but it will be worth it in the end!

Keep up with all these things, and before you know it the snow will be melting, the days will be getting longer and the birds will be chirping louder.  We are also going to appreciate Spring SO much more when it finally comes, and that in itself is a blessing in disguise.  I believe that God gives us each season for a reason, and they all have their purpose and beauty for growing us.  What is YOUR favourite way to enjoy winter? Let me know in the comments below! 

Also, never underestimate the power of a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows! ;)

xo,

Shelley