This winter has seemed particularly long, and we're only halfway through.
Severe storms every other week, frigid temps, and wild winds are making it harder to get out of bed in the morning.
I lived in Toronto, Canada for 7 years, where it was quite common for temps during the day to be between -10 and -20C. One time I made the mistake of only wearing thick stockings under my coat on my way to work, and had to literally sprint to the underground PATH.
It was a bit of a shock to the system at first, but over time I adjusted to the winters and learned to enjoy them more.
I took inspiration from the Danish concept of "hygge" (rhymes with "cougar"), and developed my own little rituals to stay sane.
1. Hygge Baths
I made sure that I made time for regular baths, and each one was an experience . I bought coconut milk powder and lemongrass essential oil, so it felt like going to a Thai spa. I was in an apartment and my bathroom didn't have a window, so I would play videos on my laptop of thunderstorms to set the ambiance. I would usually have a hot chocolate or tea and read a book.
2. Next-Level Hot Chocolates
I'm a big dark chocolate person throughout the year, and winter is when I step up my hot chocolate game. I would buy Lindt dark chocolate, usually the 80% or 85%. I would melt the chocolate and add hot milk to create a decadent but not-too-sweet cuppa.
3. Movies and Takeaways
When it's freezing outside, thinking about what you want to cook, going to the supermarket, coming back, and cooking can all feel like a bit too much. Sometimes it's good in winter to give ourselves permission to let someone else cook, and just cozy up on the couch with a classic film.
4. Giving My Skin Some Love
My skin definitely gets more dry in winter, so I make sure I'm giving it the attention it needs. My winter favourites include rosehip oil, either on its own or in a cream, squalane, glycerin-based cleansers, and Korean hydration sheet masks.
5. Baking
Baking is one of my favourite winter activities. The key for me is finding simple recipes that excite me. I love making muffins because they're so fast but delicious - banana walnut is a favourite. Three-ingredient peanut butter cookies were also a hit.
Back here in Wellington we now have a bread maker, which has been awesome. My 19-month-old son loves watching the machine knead the dough. I recently discovered Laucke Bread Mixes, which make trying out new loaves nice and easy.
Stay warm,
Annie xox