I live in the tundra, well almost, and I used to literally cry thinking about the winter.
The cold and dark was bad enough, but hauling water and trudging through thigh high snow to the barn caused me to experience serious blahs beginning in October. Instead of enjoying the fall, I began to focus on the fact that 5 months of bitter cold and bleakness was upon me. Things hit a new low when my kids were 1,2 and 3 and all needed to be dressed and undressed from head to toe just to go grocery shopping. I understood the meaning of cabin fever.
I had two options. Be miserable or figure out a way to enjoy the winter. Oh, the third option was to move and My DH wouldn't even listen to my suggestions to leave Maine.
So here are some tips to survive the winter if you live in a miserable winter climate. Please add your ideas, or anecdotes or even vent if you must.
1. Make things easier in your barn/coop- Spend the money for heated waterers or heat lamps so you don't have to struggle with ice.
2. Get outside, esp on sunny days! This has helped me alot. We ski and having something to do outside allows more access to light and air. Get off the couch and force yourself to walk, snowshoe, cross country ski or do squats outside.
3. Break the winter down into blocks. I do mine in 3 sections. I only look to Christmas and do not allow myself to think beyond then. I am so busy shopping, menu planning, cleaning my house for the WEEJK that my inlaws stay (YES A WHOLE DANG WEEK WITH 5 guests at christmas, faint) This is a whole 'nother topic.
THen after Christmas I look to Feb vacation, which is only 6 weeks, then I look to April, which is only another 6 weeks. Breaking it down seems to help me cope with the months and months ahead of desolate frigid days.
4, Drink. I know this is not an option for all of you, but I don't drink much. I do however, treat myself to Baileys by the fire, only in the winter, or a hot toddy. Making a special drink on a cold evening is really a treat.
5. Plan for the spring. Get your hatchery mags, your garden catalogs, and plan away! Sketch out a plan and start dreaming of green grass and sunshine.
6. Save and get away, even for a weekend. This again, gives you something to look forward to. I know this is something some folks just can't do. But if you can find someone to watch your critters, scrape up some cash and get away, even for a night. Spend time looking at where you can go and git. Just going away for 24 hours has made all the difference for me.
7. Get outside. I know I already said this, but there are always milder days at some point. Get out and do something. You'll feel great getting some bennies and fresh Oxygen!
It is already the end of December! We are more than 1/3 of the way through......
Thoughts? Inspirations? Funnyisms?
The cold and dark was bad enough, but hauling water and trudging through thigh high snow to the barn caused me to experience serious blahs beginning in October. Instead of enjoying the fall, I began to focus on the fact that 5 months of bitter cold and bleakness was upon me. Things hit a new low when my kids were 1,2 and 3 and all needed to be dressed and undressed from head to toe just to go grocery shopping. I understood the meaning of cabin fever.
I had two options. Be miserable or figure out a way to enjoy the winter. Oh, the third option was to move and My DH wouldn't even listen to my suggestions to leave Maine.
So here are some tips to survive the winter if you live in a miserable winter climate. Please add your ideas, or anecdotes or even vent if you must.
1. Make things easier in your barn/coop- Spend the money for heated waterers or heat lamps so you don't have to struggle with ice.
2. Get outside, esp on sunny days! This has helped me alot. We ski and having something to do outside allows more access to light and air. Get off the couch and force yourself to walk, snowshoe, cross country ski or do squats outside.
3. Break the winter down into blocks. I do mine in 3 sections. I only look to Christmas and do not allow myself to think beyond then. I am so busy shopping, menu planning, cleaning my house for the WEEJK that my inlaws stay (YES A WHOLE DANG WEEK WITH 5 guests at christmas, faint) This is a whole 'nother topic.
4, Drink. I know this is not an option for all of you, but I don't drink much. I do however, treat myself to Baileys by the fire, only in the winter, or a hot toddy. Making a special drink on a cold evening is really a treat.
5. Plan for the spring. Get your hatchery mags, your garden catalogs, and plan away! Sketch out a plan and start dreaming of green grass and sunshine.
6. Save and get away, even for a weekend. This again, gives you something to look forward to. I know this is something some folks just can't do. But if you can find someone to watch your critters, scrape up some cash and get away, even for a night. Spend time looking at where you can go and git. Just going away for 24 hours has made all the difference for me.
7. Get outside. I know I already said this, but there are always milder days at some point. Get out and do something. You'll feel great getting some bennies and fresh Oxygen!
It is already the end of December! We are more than 1/3 of the way through......
Thoughts? Inspirations? Funnyisms?
