How to Romanticize Winter
I LOVE to romanticize my life, and winter is a season when romanticizing is a top priority. I didn't experience seasonal depression until I moved to New York City, and it was a tough couple of months. To help beat those gloomy days this year, I've compiled a list of all the ways to romanticize winter to help the season stay merry after the holidays!
Read a Wintery Book
Reading a cutesy winter book helps you escape the real world and go somewhere new without leaving your home. I'm currently reading Made in Manhattan, and I am obsessed with imagining myself living in the book and being one of the characters. While I am not a big reader, books have helped me see those long winter days in a new light!
Go on Color Walks
One of my favorite things to do is go on color walks. A color walk is when you choose a certain color and intentionally look for it as much as you can as you walk. I recently did this on one of the coldest days we've had yet, and it made my walk SO much more enjoyable. I even walked longer than I intended to because I wanted to see more of my color! To make your walk more special, get a warm, sweet treat like hot chocolate or coffee.
Create a Pinterest Board
Before romanticizing your life, you must know what you want your life to look like. One of my favorite ways to imagine what my romanticized winter looks like is by creating a Pinterest board! Pinterest is a positive, calming place, and it's the only social media I'm allowed to go on before bed. Looking at photos of what I want my winter to look like gives me inspiration and a more obtainable way to achieve my goals. Scrolling through your board should be a cheerful experience that excites you to start romanticizing your life!
Make Your Bed Every Morning
This is something I stand on: make your bed every morning! I have been prioritizing making my bed since my sophomore year of college, and it has helped me stay out of bed and start my mornings without clutter. I also view making my bed as the first accomplishment of the day, which helps get me to get motivated.
Create a Playlist
How many times do you open your music app and just hit shuffle? While obviously, those are songs you like, there isn't really a curated mood when random music is playing. So, create a feel-good playlist full of songs that inspire you and make you feel like the main character in your life. One of my favorite albums to include is the Legally Blonde soundtrack because it is full of girl boss anthems that will make you feel ready to take on anything!
Create a Morning Routine You Love
Having a perfect day starts in the morning, so create a morning routine you look forward to! Maybe every morning, you try a new coffee recipe or walk up early to read your devotion. Anything you do in the morning to start your day on a happy note will make YOU happier. I find romanticizing my morning routine is the easiest way I can create a positive space for myself.
Start a New Hobby
The biggest tip I have for anyone in adulthood is to start a new hobby! Winter is the BEST time to start a new hobby because it gives you something to look forward to. I started ice skating in the dead of winter last year, and it was the best decision I made to improve my mental health. I am still taking lessons, and it is my favorite way to feel excited about something that helps me forget about dreary winter days. The types of hobbies out there are endless, so find whatever one speaks to you and embrace it!
Buy New Clothes
I hate winter fashion, but this year, I've tried to embrace it! I found that buying myself a pair of cozy socks or a new sweater has made me excited to wear my new clothes, even if they aren't typically what I wear. This doesn't have to be an expensive purchase. I've found most of my favorite winter accessories at T.J. Maxx for a great price! Literally treat yourself to one pair of socks, a hat, or a robe, and you will feel such a spark of excitement over your new wintery items!
Dress Up for Anything
Dress up for everything and anything! If you're going to the coffee shop, put on a matching two-piece with gold earrings and cute shoes. Are you working from home? Put on a shirt that makes you feel GORG. Feeling good in your own skin is the best way to romanticize your life, and dressing up in your favorite clothes is such an easy thing to do. Plus, if you've been wanting to wear a certain outfit but don't have an occasion, plan a specific outing to wear it!
Make Your Space Cozy
During the winter, we stay home more than ever, so make your space a place you love! I love lighting sweet-smelling candles and creating mood lighting that makes me feel relaxed. I find this step so important because after taking all my Christmas decorations down, my space can feel empty and depressing. Being intentional with my space helps me be intentional in my life!
See the Good in Everything
It is very easy to have negative thoughts, so it is important to recognize those thoughts and learn to change your mindset. No matter what upsets you, always try to see the positive or think of something else that happened to you that day that made you smile. In my life, if I have a bad thought, I try to cancel it out by thinking of at least two good thoughts! This has been so helpful in stopping my negative thoughts and creating a more positive space in my mind during the holidays!
I hope the blog helped you come up with different ways to romanticize your life this winter and make it a more positive season! If you're interested in seeing more of my winter, check out my YouTube channel as I take you along on all my seasonal adventures!
