Embrace Winter

I used to get anxious during the winter. Growing up in Oregon, there have always been a handful of months each year that are gray and slow and dark. Winter made me worry. It made me feel bored and tired and useless.

When Daylight Savings ended, when the sun went down before 5pm, it made me feel claustrophobic, like I was running out of time and light and happiness.

I used to hate pale winter skin, and holiday weight gain, and less daylight.

Now, I embrace these things. Give me seasons. Give me ivory indoor-skin, give me all the hearty potatoes and fattening pie. Give me less guilt about staying indoors. Give me long sleeps and naps and hibernation. Cable-knit this, and quilted that. Give me Valentine’s Day. Give me a New Year’s kiss and new episodes of GIRLS. Give me the Frozen soundtrack and low winter sun. Ripped tights and cold fingers. Give me Netflix binges and dark lip colors. Boots and scarves and all-black clothing. Give me basketball season. Give me cuddling and fuzzy socks. Dive bars and heavy winter beer.

I don’t know if it’s just that I’m getting older, or smarter, or what. But this positive attitude is real. I love that it’s February now. I’ll love when it’s May in three months. I’ll love the bright orange leaves in October. Be present, because the time is now and it feels awesome.