Sweatshirt. Vest. Chambray top. Jeans. Sorel boots. Similar hat.
Last year I read the Magnolia Story, by Chip and Joanna Gaines. I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t like Chip and Jo, (that’s like saying you don’t like sunshine) and after reading their book (and then listening to the book on audible as well- they read it themselves which is really fun.)it’s even more clear why. My favorite part of the book came towards the end where Joanna talks about the difference between just surviving and thriving. She shared how she learned to thrive right in the middle of one of their biggest financial trials. Indulge me for a minute while I share a brief quote from her since she writes it much better than I could:
“It was such a blessing to find myself thriving in the middle of the pain. Unless you find a way to do that, there’s always going to be this fake illusion that once you get there–wherever “there” is for you–you’ll be happy. But that’s just not life. If you can’t find happiness in the ugliness, you’re not going to find it in beauty, either.”
Reading this was one of those tipping point moments in life, a moment of profound clarity and epiphany. I thought about it over and over for weeks, and I realized, that my whole life, I’ve been surviving the unpleasant things, the rainy days and disappointments waiting with faith until they got better, the sun came out, and I could thrive again. The problem with living like that is that when the sun inevitably breaks through the clouds, you’re actually left feeling a little empty, and kind of like “now what?” And also, life is cyclical. There are always going to be ups and downs, and in the moment I read that quote I suddenly realized how much time I had wasted feeling unhappy while I waited for the better thing to happen. Whatever that better thing was.
The more I go through life, the more I realize that everything really comes down to your mindset. Now whenever I feel myself slipping into the familiar routine of “just getting through” something unpleasant, I repeat to myself “thrive, not survive,” and my mindset shifts. The funny thing is, once you adopt this idea, you find that it works for literally every single thing in life. Even the simple little menial tasks we have to do every day can be made better by approaching them with a thrive mentality rather than a “just survive” one.
Fixing my naturally thick, frizzy curly hair, for example, has been the bane of my existence since middle school. It takes forever, and it has to be done every day unless I want to have a bad hair day. Which I don’t. So I used to impatiently “get through” the 30 minutes every day. But now, I just embrace the time. I listen to a book on audible or a favorite podcast, and the time feels like a treat instead of a curse. Brilliant right?! Lifechanging!
So let’s talk about winter now, shall we? Because it’s a common theme among well, humans to hate this season, to just survive it. But really, it’s a quarter of every year for the rest of your life. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just survive it. So let’s talk about how to thrive during winter, shall we?
Embrace the cold. Whatever the level of cold is where you live, embrace it! Enjoy it. If you don’t like feeling cold, (who does?) think of how fun it’s going to be to get creative with layers, buy a space heater and carry it around the house with you (that’s what I do) and enjoy how nice it feels to have your own personal furnace. I love dressing in layers, so winter means I can pile them on to my hearts content and I let myself enjoy every minute of the creative process. Make yourself a cup of hot cocoa every single day and spend a happy ten minutes sipping it slowly and letting it warm you from the inside out.
Enjoy nature. One of my college professors once said during a lecture that there was no inappropriate weather, just inappropriate clothing. Get outside during the winter. Go sledding, go skiing! Take a walk in the snow. Bundle up and get outside. Let yourself be thrilled with whatever nature throws at you. I seriously get so excited when there’s snow in the forecast. I think, “yay, everything’s going to be covered in white and so beautiful!” There’s almost no winter situation a good pair of Sorel boots and a warm coat can’t solve. No need to stay cooped up inside all winter, get outside, breathe the cold fresh air!
Which brings me to:
Take advantage of all the inside time. I love winter because staying in more gives me the excuse to read all the books I want without feeling like I’m squandering a beautiful day. I also let myself enjoy a new show on Netlfix or Amazon Prime this time of year. Where I normally don’t watch much or any TV, I let myself enjoy it this time of year. (Right now I’m on a real Masterpiece kick, Poldark and Victoria, to be precise.) I also sew and bake more this time of year, things I am less likely to do during the summer months. Get really into a workout routine. (I do mine from home inside during the winter.) The endorphins will help combat the natural blues that occur from less sunshine, and you’ll just feel great. (Plus, you’ll be ready for swimsuit season when it arrives.) Learn something new, get organized, work on projects.
If you tend to get cabin fever, make all the inside time feel more pleasant by keeping your house clean and well lit. I got an Amazon echo for Christmas (I’m obsessed) and I have Alexa play me music all day long while I’m home. It gives me energy and helps me be more productive.
“The trick is to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead.”
-Marjorie Pay Hinckley
Sweatshirt. Vest. Chambray top. Jeans. Sorel boots. Similar hat.
Oh I LOVE this!!! Thank you for sharing this epiphany- I so get it and appreciate your perspective and encouragement to Thrive & not just survive! I just found you through Jo-Lynne Shane’s blog and I m so glad!!
Blessings!
Great post! I live in Toronto, Canada and it gets bitter cold here. One thing that I have started doing is running outside. I used to take my running indoors in the winter but this year ( except for those extreme days) I’ve been running outside and it’s made a really big difference. You do need the right gear ( excuses to shop!) but it’s awesome. It can be so challenging but it really leaves me with a great feeling of accomplishment.
I live in middle of no where Indiana and I love winter and rainy days because it’s the best excuse to get as snuggly as possible and cuddle up under my favorite blanket and read and do nothing but be snuggly.
I also find that putting on music that’s upbeat helps a lot with the winter blues.
This post was really perfect for me right now. I have been just surviving for so long. I’m going to concentrate on THRIVING! Any chance you can share your at-home workout? I’m struggling getting my work out done during the winter because it’s just too cold to go outside.
I like this post since I love winter and being a hot person love the cold.
In order to love the cold you need gear. Iwalk to work most days and I wear coat, gloves, boots, tight, earmuffs (don’t mess up my hair like a hat). Those people who are always freezing often don’t even zip their coat.
Today, I woke feeling so fed up with Winter. But your post inspired me to embrace it. We can’t change it, so why not see it at a different angle. Thank you for the inspiration.
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LOVED this post—what wonderful, attitude-changing thoughts. Thank you for the inspiration!
Great post! I have been “surviving” this winter with a bad attitude. This has inspired me to look at things differently. Thank you.
I just read your blog for the first time (based on Jo_Lynne’s reference). Love your perspective!
I love this post! Especially the part about inappropriate clothing for winter. I tend to be a big homebody in winter, but when I do venture out …to shovel snow…I feel invigorated! Right now I’m watching it snow, schools on a 2 hour delay, and I’m snuggled with my beagle drinking hot coffee until I have to get up to go in and teach. Love those boots!