Winter in Minnesota. Cold, dark, quiet. White with snow, grey with little sun, the holiday colors and sparkles of December give way to a muted world – like a page in a coloring book that your kid hasn’t put a crayon to yet.
The after-holiday slow-down can be rough, especially on moms. You plan, decorate, create so much magic for months and then it happens and it’s over and you’re left with the most uneventful month of the year, January; followed by the coldest month of the year, February.
Here are some ways to help you beat the winter blues:
- Reading: escape into the world of a new book.
- Stay creative: craft, write, create, lean into your hobbies.
- Buy yourself fresh flowers: make the inside of your house feel a little more like spring, even in the dead of winter.
- Get outside when you can: sunlight and fresh are can be a game-changer.
- Adopt an attitude of gratitude: remind yourself what you’re grateful for by keeping a journal.
- Let your family know when you’re having a hard time: your kids/partner want you to be your best, it’s okay to be honest about where you’re at.
- Connect with friends: chances are you’re not the only feeling winter bumming you out.
- Move your body: get those endorphins going.
- Self-care: remember that it’s okay for you to care for yourself the same way you care for your family.
- Ask for help: talk to your family, friends, your therapist and your doctor if you need to. You’re not alone.
That last part is the most important. You’re not alone, your experience isn’t singular. It’s okay to be human and have feelings, and it’s okay to share those feelings with your support system. As much as you are there for other people, let other people be there for you. Together, we can beat the winter blues.
