The holidays are over. The decorations are put away. You have stepped into the new year with a list full of resolutions and hopes that you will actually remember to write 2016 in all your dates. All the hustle and bustle of the last couple months has subsided and you find yourself right smack dab in the middle of the winter blues.
The winter blues don’t necessarily refer to several feet of snow covering every inch of the world around you, although it doesn’t help make it any better. The blues usually set in because this is the time of year that there is a lull in activities. The next major holidays are months away. Most television series are taking midseason breaks around this time. You are recovering from endless shopping and visits from family and friends. Overall you are exhausted mentally and physically and quite likely… bored.
This rings true for most people, but when you are renting an apartment, this time of year can be a bit harder to conquer. Less space than a single family home leaves you and your loved ones feeling like you are on top of one another. But fear not. It is not impossible to make the best of it. It only means that you need to get a little more creative.
Netflix
A lot of people hunker down during the first few months of the year. There are a lot less parties and dinners out. More Saturday nights curled up on the couch. Why not start a series you have been meaning to watch? Or make one night a week a movie night. Popcorn, pajamas, blankets and tackle that list of movies that you have been wanting to see. You can check out Netflix’s Media Center for a list of all new and upcoming titles!
Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning? Sure, there is something to be said for that first weekend that it’s warm enough to open the windows, crank the music up and clean the winter out of your home. But who says you can’t start now. Pick a room each weekend. Take everything out of the closets, organize and purge. Donate old clothes, shoes. Move the furniture and clean all the places that the vacuum or broom don’t always reach. Instead of putting the furniture back in the same place, why not switch it up a bit. There is nothing like rearranging the furniture to give the room a fresh look. Then, by the time it’s warm enough to enjoy the weather, you won’t be stuck inside cleaning.
Hobbies
Try a new hobby. Yes, I know. This is the “be all end all” answer to boredom. But have you ever really attempted it? Go to your local craft store or hobby store and take a look around. Hop on Pinterest and see what other people are doing. Buy some yarn and teach yourself to knit or crochet. Pick up a model car and try assembling it. Open up some paint and see if you can recreate a favorite picture. The options are endless and you never know. You could be quite fantastic at your new found talent.
Books
When is the last time you lost yourself in a book? Grab one off your shelf, go to the library and pick up a bestseller or swing by your local bookstore. Don’t know where to start? Check out the New York Times Book section to see what everyone is reading.
Game night
Game night. With your friends. With your family. Whoever you want to spend the evening being silly with. Invite some people over, grab Taboo or Scattergories out of that newly organized closet of yours and have some fun. Or plan a poker night with your friends. Set up some snacks and drinks. Throw on some background music and let the games begin.
Get outside
It’s easy to get lost in the lull of the blues. Don’t let these moments make you forget that even in the coldest of weather, there is always something fun to do outdoors. Ice fishing, sledding, snowmobiling, ice skating or even just a walk through your town or local forest preserve can do a body good. Don’t forget your camera either. You just might witness some beautiful sites that you will want to capture forever.
When all else fails and you are finding it hard to get motivated, try this. Do three things. Make an effort to do three things on your ‘To Do’ list everyday. Even the smallest things like cleaning out your email inbox or looking up new recipes to try. If you get in the habit of doing three things everyday, you will find that the winter blues will fly by and before you know it, you will be enjoying all the spring and summer festivities.
