Oh, winter. Why do you feel so long while the day is so short?
This post was inspired by Modern Mrs. Darcy, my favorite reader. Each year, she shared this post to remind my mind of all the things that bring joy and life to these dark winter days – and the posts will increase mid-season. So there’s a bit of life right there: We’re halfway through spring!
I shared the answers in 2018, 2020, and 2021. (2019? Where are you going?) I read through those posts before writing this. And I know I don’t have to say this, but I can’t help it: God. The world is a very different place in 2022. It’s just… everything… Reading posts from February 2020 feels eerie. Little did that version of me know that in just one month the whole world would change. It’s strange.
Anyway, a lot of these overlap, which is an interesting realization. I know what’s right for me, I suppose.
Here’s what saved my life in the winter of 2022:
Yoga
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A few years ago I started doing yoga which I found on YouTube, Yoga with Adriene. I try to make a video most days. No real pressure or solid goals, just doing more days than I didn’t. That movement helped me become a good person during my years at home. Unable to go too many places, especially in these cold months when it’s so much harder to go out with the girls, having a reliable workout routine at home has been a lifesaver. Many days the practice gets harder when animals or kids climb onto my back while plank or let go of my arms in warrior pose, but I feel relieved to be able to roll out onto the mat, Sign in to YouTube, and decide on a trusted workout. Plus, Adriene is funny and incredibly warm. This is definitely a joy for me in these dark winter days.
Read
All books. Always. I’ve been a huge reader all my life, but I’m not sure how I’ve survived the past few years without a nightly reading habit. At the end of the day, I usually take care of the kids/house/animals and try to get into work/exercise/errands from about 6am until about 7pm. I said, emotional, tired. Climbing into my bed with a book is the light at the end of each day.
Here’s what I’m currently reading:
Next, I plan to order a large number of books on cat behavior, training, and health for the project I mentioned above. I have a solid list of about 5 or 6 to start with, but if you have any suggestions, I’m listening! I plan to start with this, Decode your catbecause I loved Decoding Your Dog years ago. I even wrote an entire blog post about it back in 2014!
Delivery
Won’t lie: We’ve mostly relied on deliveries this year. We used to have a past, especially when Astrid was an infant, but now it has become an integrated part of our lives. Violet recently contracted Covid (we’re close to her fifth birthday…so, very close…) and we’re all currently quarantined. All I can say is thank you to those who delivered. Here’s what I rely on:
Instagram: I ordered from Aldi. I get groceries delivered about once a week. Whole life savings. If you’ve never used it, they give everyone a referral link to share $10 off, so here you are.
Register for Petco: I set up recurring-order animal supplements through Petco, so it’s completely out of my head and just magically happens every month. When you set up a recurring subscription, you also get a big discount. I just now learned that I can add an aquarium filter to my order, so please do so as soon as this post is complete. ?
Farmer’s dog: Dare I call it a little miracle that Cooper was so sick that he refused to eat anything but this food? Yes, yes, I dare. That is a miracle. We also cook at home and rotate other dog foods, but this is a food that is never our fault for him. Check it out.
Enhanced targeting: Oh, the money I saved by not stepping foot in that store.
“Products made from paper: I get all of our toilet paper, tissues and tissues from Who Give a Crap? which is actually bamboo or recycled AND it’s automatic. Again, out of my head and we never run out. They even make sure the service continues for subscribers to return when there’s that big run on TP. They also have a referral program to here is a $10 discount if you want to try WGAC.
And, bonus: I can place all of these orders on my laptop or phone while cuddling Cooper!
Friend
The image above is obviously representative for #SocialDistancing, but god… I’m so grateful to my friends and all the ways to stay in touch: Zoom, Marco Polo, texting, Duo, sending Reels back and forth and more. I’m especially a fan of Marco Polo because it can be done on your own time, but I can still see my friends’ pretty faces!
I am an introvert. A shy introvert, nothing more, nothing less. Pandemic was made for people like me. Except, I’m discovering, even I have a limit to my isolation. I need my people and I’m grateful to be able to get in touch. Can you imagine if all this happened in 1991?
Dreaming of my yard
Over the past few years, I have neglected to transform our backyard. I say “transform” but that’s much more impressive. Our yard is basically a small, round, in-ground pool surrounded by grass. We had a bunch of mulberry trees along the fence, and that’s when we moved in. We added a used swing (which needed a lot of work), a vegetable garden, a “secret” flower garden underneath one of the mulberry gardens, and a children’s garden, according to literally just a free yard section for all the girls where they can paint, dig, make mud pies, whatever they want. None of these are complete and there is plenty of room for more. I am dreaming of a border garden in an extremely shady courtyard with a common fence with our following neighbours. I am dreaming of a wildflower garden and a larger vegetable garden. I am dreaming of comfortable furniture and sparkling lights. I dreamed of birds, squirrels and bees flying everywhere. And my budget is 75 dollars. I’m dreaming. 🙂
But it gives me life thinking about all the things I CAN do on a small budget and lots of hours digging, planting and weeding!
That is: five things that saved my life this winter! How about you? What saves YOUR life in these cold and dark days?
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