6 Things To Love About Winter

In my day, we walked home from school, braving the South Dakotan prairie subzero temps and even steeper subzero windchill factors.  I can still feel the burn on my cheeks, from the frequent cases of frostbite this incurred.  Not so fun.

So it took me many years of emotional recovery, and a few years living in a much more mild climate, to reach this recent epiphany:   There really ARE some things to love about winter.

6 Things To Love About Winter

1.  The Change

Although there is an admitted allure to the year round palm trees and sunshine showcased at our favorite vacation destinations, I’m a person who craves change.  Big change, little change… whatever.  I need something to mix things up every once in awhile, to maintain my sanity.

Therefore, I love seasons.   Winter, so drastically opposite of summer, allows (ok, kinda forces) you to change all manner of things – your habits, your pastimes, your wardrobe, your bedspread.  And so on, and so forth.  I dig that about winter.

2.  The Crisp Air

If you’re dressed warmly, so that the cold isn’t an unpleasant experience, breathing in the crisp winter air is truly invigorating.  There’s nothing else quite like it.

3.  The Beauty

I’m *banking* on snow for this one (really for most of my “love of winter” series here… if it’s going to be cold, you might as well have snow!).   It could be argued that this is the most beautiful time of the year.   The beauty of snowflakes softly falling is mesmerizing, and a fresh blanket of snow makes the whole world seem fresh, clean and new.

4.  Playing in the Snow

Even if you’re not into skiing (which can be an expensive family hobby), there are so many fun and even free options for playing outside in the winter snow.  Build a snowman.  Go sledding.  Have a snowball fight.  Does anything make your kids more excited than waking up and seeing that first snow? 

5.  Hot Tubbing Outside

If you haven’t tried this, you need to.  You’ll be amazed at what a crazy and awesome sensation it is… well worth those few bare tippy-toe steps through the snow to get there.

I seriously wish I had one in my backyard to capture a photographic example of this for you, but I don’t.

6.  The Heightened Appreciation

…of being inside once again, nice and cozy warm!  Whether your post-chilly happy place involves a fireplace, mug of hot chocolate, or just those fluffy slippers – cuddle up, and relax – you’ve earned it.  🙂

Happy Winter to you all!

So… what say you?  Love it, or hate it?

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The story behind the story:  Winter and cold usually make me pretty crabby.   Anyone who knows me in real life, will probably think this is either A) a guest post, or B) a hijacking of my blog by some crazed, mystery Winter-Lover.  Again, I’m claiming childhood weather trauma.  But today I took a highly enjoyable walk with my dog in the 15 degree cold and snow, after being couped up with my family-with-flu for a week.  You know that acute pleasure of leaving the house and joining the living once again?  Yeah.  Maybe it’s just that talking… 😉