It’s no secret that the winter months are tough on everyone. The sky grows darker so much quicker, and the weather is frigid and uncomfortable. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather romanticize my winter than fight against it. Below are my tips for creating a soft girl winter.
- Make a Playlist
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Making a cozy playlist for winter always puts me in a good mood. Music can set an emotional tone for the winter season more than the dreary weather can. Give your playlist soft but cozy girl vibes—music that makes you feel warm, quiet, and alive this cold season. Personally, artists like Mazzy Star, Korea Girl, or even Fiona Apple put me in a soft, productive, cozy-girl mood. Another genre of music that makes me feel so cozy and warm during the coldest and darkest winter nights is jazz music. Think Billie Holiday, Etta James, and Ella Fitzgerald. Creating a cozy winter vibes playlist is perfect for romanticizing the winter season.
- Build a Cozy Uniform
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Another thing that helps me romanticize the sombre winter season is creating a cozy and aesthetic winter wardrobe. Cozy colours like cream, brown, and burgundy are perfect for this time of year. Accessorize with soft hair clips or scrunchies, knit leg warmers, and silver jewelry. Most of all, don’t forget to bundle up to face off against the weather. With mittens and earmuffs back in season, they are perfect for levelling up any winter outfit.
- Make Campus Walks Aesthetic
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A perfect strategy for romanticizing this winter season is turning your on-campus walks into a movie scene. Put in your earbuds and listen to some soft music. Slowly take in the scenery around you; I love noticing the beauty of winter, like the frost on a branch, sparkling snowfall, or squirrels sporting thick, warm coats. If it’s an extra cold day, I leave for class a little early to give myself time to warm up with a comforting drink, like a hot chocolate from a cafĂ© near campus.
- Indulge in Soft-Girl Media
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Indulging in soft-girl media definitely puts me in a cozy mood. The media we consume determines how we feel. Watching Studio Ghibli movies, reading soft romance or classic novels like Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, and putting on aesthetic YouTube vlogs—such as “get ready with me” videos—helps me feel calm and cozy, even during the darkest winter nights.Â
- Embrace “Gentle Positivity”
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As exams are ongoing, it can be difficult to remember to be gentle and kind with yourself. Instead of going gung-ho on studying, I prefer to work in ways that feel less draining. Studying in a café with a warm drink and a friend is much more aesthetic and effective to me than grinding in silence, alone at my desk. I enjoy listening to gentle, mostly instrumental music and use the 25/5 study method—25 minutes of focused work followed by a cozy five-minute break as a little reward.
I hope these hacks make it a little easier to romanticize this winter season. Enjoy your winter (happy holidays)!