How to Love Cold Weather

I love cold weather. 

The frosty chill, the cloudy puffs of breath, the hygge happiness it brings! Yeah, yeah, I know! I live Florida and it’s nothing like “real” winter, even though I wish it was! Maybe someday I’ll get my bucket list wish to spend the winter somewhere snowy and get my fill! I’m told I wouldn’t love it then, but I’d like to find out for myself. But I will say, when it does finally get cold in Florida, it’s usually a “chill you to your soul” kinda cold because it’s layered with a heavy dose of humidity. 

I didn’t alway love cold weather. 

But somewhere along the way, I discovered that it’s much easier to get warm than to cool off. And with only a few simple additions, learning to love cold weather is the easiest thing ever! 

1. WEAR A QUALITY COAT. 

Don’t expect not to shiver if you go out with a flimsy sweater and flip-flops! Getting a North Face jacket with a goose down layer was a life changer for me. 

2. LAYER WITH LEGGINGS. 

If it’s below 60 degrees, cover those drumsticks! And that neck! A soft scarf can’t be beat! 

3. START YOUR VEHICLE AHEAD OF LEAVING. 

There’s just no reason not to have your seat toasty, your steering wheel melty, and warm air blasting away when you hop in for final departure. 

4. LIGHT A FIRE - REAL OR FAKE. 

Flickering flames just bring the cozy factor way up in winter! Our living room, master bedroom, and master bath are all currently benefiting from fireplace heaters with artificial flames. Which brings me to #5!

5. HAVE A SPACE HEATER IN EVERY BATHROOM. 

Ain’t nobody got time for icicles in the bathroom. 

6. BRING ON THE HEATED BLANKETS. 

Last winter, we had only one, so to resolve fights I ordered another one from Target this past Black Friday. They are so lovely for a couch snuggle and to tuck under the bedcovers so the sheets are warm and toasty when you crawl in! Heated mattress pads are nice too, but I’m loving the simplicity of just using my electric blanket. 

7. LIGHT CANDLES AT SUNDOWN. 

Seeing a candle burning gives your brain the perception of warmth even though they don’t add a quantitative amount of heat to the room. I’m into tapers this winter, at a rate of 1/2 a taper per evening x 2. 

8. DRINK HOT DRINKS. 

If I’m home, I brew a cuppa around 3:30 every afternoon. My current favorite is the Canadian “Harney & Sons” Hot Cinnamon Spice tea that Alisha gifted me for Christmas. 

So there you have it! 

Now, go forth and enjoy the rest of your winter! And remember, you can’t appreciate being warm if it’s not cold first!