Inside: cozy and sweet winter bucket list for your family to help you celebrate this time of the year.
Most people roll their eyes when I say it.
I love winter.
Sure, it can be maddening to be pulling on twenty-six layers of clothes when you’re already late. And yes, driving in a snowstorm can be nerve-wracking when you have to be on the road before the snowplows. And don’t get me started on shoveling.
But who said you have to be crazy about every little aspect of something to love it?
I find it interesting that the word “winter” comes from the old Germanic word that means “time of water.” What happens to water in the winter is that the water molecules move slower and get closer together because of the cold.
I would argue that to grasp the meaning of winter, you only have to look at the surface of a frozen pond…
The one word that comes to mind is “settled.”
It’s not going anywhere till spring.
One of the most basic principles of the modern world is that we should be in a go-go-go mode. All. The. Time.
Winter asks us to do the opposite.
Can we slow down enough to hear?
If you do, you will detect a sound. Where is it coming from?
From deep inside your body: in fact, it’s your body rumbling in pleasure. You were built to follow the cycles of nature, tuning into your environment, relaxing into what is.
There’s time to cast away stones and time to gather them.
Yes, there’s a season for pushing, getting, reaching. And it’s not the winter.
In this context, the question is not: how do we pretend it’s not winter and keep up with all the usual activities?
Instead, the question is, how and in what areas can we slow down?
Make a hot cup of tea, sit near the source of heat (fireplace, heater), hug a hot water bottle, or put on those microwavable socks, and let your mind wander… I’ve come up with a few cues to get the mind started.
Wintertime Questions for Reflection:
- Can I stop “doing” and get still with my internal reality?
- Am I building up reserves (physical – mental – emotional) for spring, or am I getting depleted?
- What are the thoughts I am telling myself over and over again? (I.e., I hate winter. I want it to be over.)
- Am I holding on to something I need to let go of? (Someone else’s standards, outdated plans, shoulds, unreasonable expectations, etc.).
- Am I hiding under the covers waiting for the winter to pass, or making the best of the season?
If you’re like me and want to enjoy winter, let me share my bucket list with you. I hope it will be your inspiration.
Do you want to say, “Eva, your PDF looks pretty, but where are the little boxes for me to check things off as we go?” Then let me suggest you laminate it or put the bucket list inside a photo frame. This way, you can reuse the list every season.
Winter Bucket List
- Go on a winter walk
- Craft with pinecones
- Play in the snow (DIY Snow Recipe)
- Host a winter party
- Make a pot of soup
- Make new resolutions
- Do winter-themed science experiments
- Dress up and dance (happy music list)
- Go sledding
- Build a snowman
- Feed wild birds
- Start a scrapbook
- Make snow angels
- Keep a gratitude journal
- Take a hot bubble bath
- Read by the fire
- Make a pot of hot cocoa
- Knit something
- Take an online cooking class
- Have a bonfire
- Have an indoor picnic
- Decorate sugar cookies
- Take a family pic in the snow
- Have a game night
- Make a gingerbread house
- Catch snowflakes
- Make paper snowflakes
- Make a DIY snow globe
- Organize your space
- Make an ice sculpture
- Bake a loaf of bread (try our mess-free recipe)
- Make a gift for someone
- Brew a cup of hot tea
- Build a snowflake with Lego blocks
- Make a bird feeder
- Have breakfast for dinner
- Stay in PJs all day
- Listen to winter music (the best pieces inspired by the coldest season)
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