Colder, shorter days call for a mental reset.
As soon as the time changes in the fall, my mind starts to think about the cold weather looming and dark evenings that lie ahead. I instantly begin to miss the long days of summer. With small children, winter means a lot more layers to deal with in the morning and less time playing outdoors.
When I find myself dreading the colder months in the Midwest, I have to take a step back and think about the positives that come with the season. Although the nights are longer and the weather is more frigid, there are a few things I focus on that I don’t always appreciate during the warmer months.
First, I’m forced to slow down. This can be hard for moms to do! When the weather is cold, I remind myself that it is okay to snuggle up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket and not go anywhere. To enjoy a hot coffee and stay in pajamas a little longer on the weekends. The rush we felt in the summer can take a back seat as we have less activities and more time to just relax. It’s a welcomed change, especially for families that are always on the go.
In the fall and winter, I also have the inspiration to cook more. Lately, between work and motherhood, dinner has been a struggle and we have prepared meals more often than I would like. As we are inside more in the colder months, I’m excited to get back into the kitchen. I’m going to buy a new cookbook and find new recipes and use the added time inside to have more homemade meals together as a family.
We also take the winter months to enjoy more local, indoor activities. A trip to the mall or wandering around a local museum suddenly becomes more fun when the weather is too cold to walk around outside.
The colder Midwest months can be beautiful in their own way. If you are a warm weather fan like I am, we just have to look at this season in a different light, and remember to enjoy moments we wouldn’t otherwise appreciate during St. Louis’ warmer seasons.
