Winter break is fast approaching! As busy Holy Cross students, we can find the newfound free time strange, but these weeks of leave are a unique, prolonged experience. Especially for seniors, it may be a long time before we ever have unstructured time like this again. Even if you have exciting travel plans or work to do, I hope we can all take some time to be bored. Being bored is a lost art in the age we’ve grown up in. We can constantly fill our every waiting moment with endless scrolling, but my challenge to all is to try at least one new thing in your downtime.
The list I have compiled is some ways I hope to make the most of the lots of free time I find I have throughout break, and I hope you may take this as some inspiration:
- Try a new recipe!
A goal of mine since moving into an apartment for the first time this year is to learn more recipes to cook and bake. Although my school schedule has proved too busy to indulge in as many new recipes as I had hoped, this winter break, I plan to try at least one new recipe and bake something new. Heading home for break is a great time to look into physical cookbooks lying around your house!
- Walk!
Never once have I gone on a walk and regretted it! Whether a quick 10-minute walk up and down my street or a 3-mile walk down my town’s local trail, walking is always a chance to feel good. It’s a great time to listen to a podcast or music, or to sit with your thoughts.
- Go to a local museum!
There are multiple museums close to my house that I pass by but have never visited! Museums always have hidden surprises, and although some people find them boring, giving any museum a chance one time is worthwhile.
- Reach out to friends you haven’t seen in a while!
The rush of seeing hometown friends during break is always so exciting. I know when I am home, I am excited to make plans immediately. It can also be fun to complete some items on this list with hometown friends :)
- Go thrifting!
Overconsumption of clothing is such a huge problem, and thrifting is a great way to experiment with fashion while exercising sustainability. Trying out new shops can be fun, even just to browse.
- Visit parks and nature reservations!
Winter is an underrated season to visit a park or natural reserve. Layer up and explore how the scenery changes in the wintertime.
- Go ice skating!
Ice skating outdoors or even indoors is a great winter activity, even if you’ve never tried it before. For me, it brings back memories of skating as a kid. I always start off a little rusty, but I always get the hang of it, especially if I’m wearing hockey skates.
- Try local holiday markets!
Before studying abroad, I didn’t visit many local holiday markets, but there are so many opportunities to do so! I have already been to one, and I am excited to check out more this break.
- Commit yourself to watching a new binge-worthy TV show (bonus points if it has 5+ seasons)!
Shows coming out recently with many seasons are few and far between! I like shows with multiple seasons because they let you get really invested in the storyline. Some recommendations I have are Criminal Minds, Grey’s Anatomy, Stranger Things, and Suits.
- Take a day trip to a nearby town!
Day trips are so underrated! Traveling to a nearby town, even if it’s not known for being touristy, can be really fun.
Bonus: BE BORED! Being bored is a wonderful thing. Embrace the feeling :)
This list is far from complete, but I hope it has helped spark some new ideas for you in your free time this break.