Unless you’re a winter olympian or an avid snow bunny, I’m sure you’re all just as sick of the cold as I am. Sure the snow is nice in December, I mean everyone wants a “white Christmas” right? Well by February, the fourth month of snow I’m about ready to say goodbye. Here are the top five reasons why I hate winter.
1. Travel = Mission impossible: If you’re brave enough to walk anywhere you’re sporting layers on layers, carrying a close resemblance to shamu the whale or you’re attempting to manoeuvre a ton of metal through the slippery terrain -winter tires don’t mean anything. Don’t forget that it takes twice the amount of time to get anywhere, due to the tedious task of clearing the snow off of your car as well as letting that little engine heat up.
2. Skinitimate issues: Let’s face it, the winter climate is detrimental to our skin. As if being pasty white isn’t bad enough, we also suffer dry flaky skin, and redness accumulated from windburn.
3. Cabin fever: Yes it’s fun to lounge around and watch netflix all day, but sometimes this girl needs to run wild outside. This is especially difficult in the winter when every step is laced with the possibility of an embarrassing wipeout. Second, as great as it is to have a free student gym pass, where you may be lucky enough to spot a cute guy, it doesn’t compare to working out in the sunshine.
4. Bulking season: Although the term “bulking season” is traditionally used when referring to an athlete’s off season as they prepare for their upcoming competitive one, it is now a widely used and accepted term amongst young individuals. It’s readily used to validate indulgences in poor food choices. When this whether is so sad, sometimes you just need to turn to your best friend chocolate to lift your spirits.This however, doesn’t help anyone for “swimsuit season” which is hiding around the corner.
5. Fashion Fiasco: To anybody concerned with their fashion choices, the winter is the most difficult season to look fabulous in. I’m sorry but no matter what color or design you’ve purchased, SOREL boots just aren’t cute and neither are salt stains or soaking wet feet. On top of this unless you plan to keep your beanie on all day you can say good bye to that perfectly styled hair.
As easy as it is to let the winter get us down, I’m here to tell you how to conquer your winter blues surrounding these five issues brought to light. I promise you with a little determination and a lot of self distraction, you can and you will conquer the rest of this winter season.
1. In order to facilitate extended travel time, set your clocks ahead five minutes. This little trick will help you leave your house a few minutes early to get that snow cleared and engine running like a gazelle. It will also leave room for any unexpected road conditions.
2. A few solutions to your skintimate issues are 1) make sure to use an exfoliating face wash 2-3 times a week to rid the skin of any dead flaky skin, followed by a moisturizer to counteract the drying effect of the facewash. A great and inexpensive exfoliating face wash is Neutrogena’s “Deep Clean, Gentle exfoliant scrub”. A moisturizer which although, a little more expensive but totally worth it, is the Clinique “dramatically different moisturizing gel” leaving your skin hydrated but not greasy. 2) If you’re in need of a little glow like that rest of us, try picking up a self tanner. It’s a lot less expensive than tanning salons AND doesn’t increase the risk of contracting skin cancer. A terrific brand is the Olay “quench plus, touch of sun”, a gradual tanner which allows for an all natural look.
3. One of my favourite ways to destroy cabin fever is by tackling indoor projects. If you’re stuck inside you might as well put that time towards projects that need to get done, that way when the sunshine finally returns you’re free to bask in it’s rays. These projects range from purging that closet that’s exploding at it’s seams, getting a head start on your spring cleaning, or even creative activities such as DIY jewellery, clothing or collages. Another great idea is to brush up on any reading you’ve started but haven’t been able to finish due to the craziness of life.
4. Although chocolate may be my mind’s best friend it’s definitely my body’s enemy. A great way to conquer the daunting task of everyday cooking is to create a week’s worth of healthy meals on Sunday. I like to make a big batch of quinoa, pre-made salads, boiled eggs etc. and store them in ziplock containers for the week. This is an easy way to just grab a meal and go, especially when you’re out and about all day. Healthy treats such as banana oat balls, pumpkin squares and fresh fruit with a few dark chocolate chips, add a little umph to your week of meals and satisfy that sweet tooth.
5. Fashion fiascos are hard to fix especially in the winter when you’re required to bundle, however i can suggest a few minor adjustments to stay cute. 1) Invest in an appropriate jacket. Usually a down filled or longer jacket will keep you warm and the added length with keep the wind from getting inside. 2) Ditch the winter boots and invest in a pair of doc martens, they’re durable, warm and they look great! 3) Indulge in a little online shopping. You can order a few new spring clothes and it takes a little while to arrive, so who knows maybe it will be just a tad warmer by the time you get them! It also gives you something to look forward to.
In the grand scheme of things, unless you’re planning on moving south or to a remote tropical island, there isn’t much you can do about winter. I hope that not only can you guys identify with my reasons for hating winter, but also find some peace by using any of these 5 tips to bettering your chilly season. Lastly, remember it’s all in your mindset, try to stay positive and even the coldest of days can be warm.
xo!
Simply Living 