This past week has been a cold one, on both the body and the soul. With the holidays behind us, there isn’t much left to look forward to until spring finally shows its face again. Winter settles in deeper this time of year, and it starts to feel endless. We’re at that point when people grow stir-crazy from too much time indoors, repeating the same routines day after day. It’s too cold to go anywhere or do much of anything without it feeling like a chore, so most days are spent just trying to stay warm and pass the time. I figure that’s why so many TV series are released during the winter months, because when the world outside feels uninviting, settling in and watching something new becomes one of the few comforts we have.
The girls woke up early both days this weekend, so I decided to clean the house until I completely wore myself out on Saturday. Still, I needed to get out of the house. So on Sunday morning, we got dressed and took a day trip to Lidgerwood to have lunch at Ms. Habaneros. Just being in a different space helped my sanity. The girls were excited to get out and have good food, and since Mexican is my husband’s favorite, he didn’t complain one bit. After lunch, we even went grocery shopping in a different town, just for a change. Just spending time with my girls, watching them get excited as they took in all the bright, colorful things at the store, made me smile. Seeing their little eyes widen at things we usually take for granted reminded me how new the world still is to them. They’re learning more and more every day, soaking up everything around them with such curiosity and joy. Moments like that help my soul feel a little lighter and make the heavy winter days feel a bit easier to carry.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that it’s really important to find things to keep you busy during these dark months. When the days feel long and the cold keeps you inside, even the smallest changes in routine can make a big difference. Getting out of the house, visiting a new place, or simply doing something out of the ordinary can help break up the monotony and lift your spirits. Those little moments of change give you something to look forward to and remind you that winter, no matter how heavy it feels, won’t last forever.
