Winter Agenda

Today's post is sharing my agenda for the remaining winter to hopefully inspire you. It's easy to go from fall > Christmas > begrudgingly waiting for spring, but I'm here to embrace all things winter even though we are past the holiday season. Like all agendas, this is just what I hope to do, but if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. This is a list to bring joy, not unnecessary burden.

1. Eat cozy winter meals

   Not much explanation needed here, just all the warm and hearty meals I can make which of course includes plenty of good soups. Trying out the lasagna soup this weekend with the hopes it lives up to the hype.

2. Live by the fireplace

   For the first time in my life, I live in a house with a fireplace - a huge blessing I know, so I am here to fully enjoy it. Even if you don't have a fireplace, lighting a bunch of candles or playing a fireplace on your tv can really help the vibe.

3. Warm baths often

   I love a nice warm bath and it's often where I get a lot of reading done. In the winter it just feels right, especially once the baby goes down for bedtime.

4. Sauna

   On theme with warm things, I have been hitting the sauna 2-3x a week after I workout and really enjoying it. Whether the benefits are true or not, I feel good even if it's just because it feels like a small dose of summer in the cold months.

5. Fantasy reads

   To me, winter is the time for fantasy reads, although they are good year round too. I just tend to enjoy fantasy more in the winter with rom coms more in the warmer months. I am currently on book three of the Throne of Glass series and completely sucked in.

6. Mid day walks

   When it's not too cold and windy for me and the baby, I like to bundle us up and go for a mid day walk to still get some sunshine and fresh air even if our cheeks are rosy by the end.

7. Not going out past dark

   Obviously this is a privilege and it's not always doable, but I've found going out past dark in the winter it just a little bit miserable? In addition to our walks, the baby and I usually go out for one outing a day but it tends to be in the morning. It feels a lot safer to drive in the daylight. So I've made it my personal goal to not go out past dark in these colder months unless absolutely necessary and just embrace the coziness of staying in even if that starts at 5pm. There is one exception...

8. Ballet class

   I have had a growing obsession with ballet recently and really want to give it a try. I did ballet when I was a little kid, and have always had some aspect of dance or performing through various other activities throughout my life. Now is the time to return to the classic style of dancing. So I will be leaving the house at night but only to attend this class which is perfect since it happens after baby's bedtime. It's not winter specific, but I do find it nice to have something new I'm passionate about during the dark cold months.

9. Homemade lattes

   With the espresso machine I got for Christmas, my husband and I have been enjoying all the homemade lattes and only plan to continue to do so.

10. Watching Barbie movies

    I'll admit this is random, but I've been loving all the old Barbie movies? I was never exposed to them as a kid, but now as an adult I find Barbie so resilient, kind and admirable. The movies have been a breathe of fresh air. I realize it may seem silly to watch content intended for kids, but at this point I don't even care anymore. I also love Disney movies, and I say fine, label me as a weird Disney adult, but at least I'm happy! When life is hard or overwhelming there is something peaceful and joy giving about watching beautiful animation with heartfelt stories that always have a happy ending and I'm just here for it.

That is all. Not too overwhelming right? Just some simple happy things I'm mostly already doing but plan to continue doing to bring joy to the everyday. Cheers to a happy winter.