When it’s below 40 degrees, we all know how difficult it can be to motivate ourselves to do, well, anything. Midterms leave us sleep-deprived and frustrated, and the pile of homework to do when you get a free minute keeps growing taller. But if you are like me and you’re just ready to be done with the winter weather, you can do these twelve things to enjoy it instead.
1. Get ahead on homework
Find your internal motivational drive and dust off the cobwebs that grew over winter break. You are a strong, capable human being, and you really can pass that accounting test.
2. Go for a walk in the snow
Whether you’re on a stroll through the arboretum or watching it fall from the safety of a UREC treadmill, take it all in. It’s eventually going to stop snowing, and you’re going to miss our little winter wonderland moments on campus.
3. Wrap yourself in a blanket burrito
Even if you just set aside 15 minutes of blanket-burrito-y goodness, you’ll thank yourself when you become as cozy as actual beans and rice wrapped in a warm tortilla.
4. Re-read a beloved childhood book
Whether your favorite book was actually Roald Dahl’s “Matilda” or “Captain Underpants,” relive a little part of your childhood when it’s too much to bear the outdoors.
5. Treat yourself
Take advantage of wind, rain and snow to stay inside and enjoy the sedentary life — at least temporarily. Watch some Netflix and read some trashy celebrity news. It’s fun, and it’s totally a productive use of time.
6. Take a bubble bath
If you live off-campus and you can afford the luxury of bath salts and bombs and anything that foams when wet, go for it. Pour a glass of wine and play some music you like — it doesn’t matter what kind, as long as you enjoy it. If you live on campus, maybe just take a long shower.
7. Do a workout video
YouTube has a fantastic collection of workout videos that you can do anywhere at any time and without owning any fitness equipment besides a pair of sneakers, including this 30-minute one from POPSUGAR and, if 30 minutes seems about 29 minutes too long, here’s how to do a push up.
8. Paint something
Even if you don’t consider yourself artistic, you’ll be proud of what you made.
9. Write a letter
Do it now, so you can tell your grandchildren how humans once used to communicate. Also because it’s possibly the only way you can let your grandparents know you aren’t sick, dead or in prison.
10. Give yourself a makeover
Yup. The old fashioned, elementary school kind. It’s not like you’ll be going outside to show it off, but a makeover tends to work wonders on self esteem as well as selfie-game. If you feel inspired, you could even make a tutorial out of it.
11. When you do go outside, let the wind give you #fierce vibe
You’re hot. You’re a model on location in the Arctic for a swimsuit ad. The wind is barely even noticeable, but it sure does look good on you.
12. Do nothing
Ah, the best way to enjoy the cold. By doing absolutely nothing at all, with a cup of coffee or three to get us through the day.