If you’re anything like me, you go into hibernation when the weather starts to get colder. Personally, I’ll do anything to avoid going outside when the temperature goes into the negatives. Of course, living in Canada means a very long winter season, and staying indoors all the time can get a little boring. Every year, I struggle to find new things to do while avoiding the cold, so I thought it would be a good idea to create a list of different things we can do alone or with a friend this winter that doesn’t require us to bundle up.
Have a movie marathon
Everyone should have at least one movie series that they can watch over and over again without getting sick of it, and if you don’t, this would be a perfect time to find one. Some of my favourite series to watch are the Twilight Saga, the long list of Fast & Furious movies, or you could spend a couple days watching the Marvel cinematic universe movies in chronological order. So put your comfiest clothes on, pour yourself a mug of hot chocolate and turn on your next movie binge for some a cozy Netflix and chill.
Play a cozy video game.
I myself am not much of a gamer. I’m not the most skilled player, so I try to avoid games that have really any level of difficulty. But if I want to spend a couple hours playing a game that gives my mind a break, I’ll play a number of different cozy games. You can find a lot of different recommendations by just searching ‘cozy games’ on TikTok, but some of my favourites include Sun Haven, Minecraft, Unpacking and The Sims 4. However, make sure to take some stretching breaks in between your gaming sessions!
Teach yourself to cook
Personally, I love to cook. When I’d moved out on my own, I didn’t realize that I was actually a pretty good chef, and now I’m so confident in my abilities that I’d even consider myself a mini Gordon Ramsey. Maybe it’s a bit of an exaggeration, but cooking is one of the most rewarding things you can learn. After your hard work of preparing the meal, you get to sit down and enjoy the delicious food you’ve just made. I promise that your effort will make your food taste better than eating out at a restaurant. Start with some simple recipes and work your way up to bigger and more extravagant meals. I found a lot of my favourite recipes on TikTok, including chicken pesto lasagna, honey garlic salmon and, of course, the popular cherry tomato and baked feta pasta.
Do some arts & crafts
One thing I find is a universal trait in women is our ability to find a craft to do with any material we can find in the house. I think this is something everyone should try over their winter break because it really lets you get creative. Last year I felt my room was too boring and the walls were bare, so I took a book I never planned on reading, ripped out the pages and taped them onto my wall like it was wallpaper. It was super fun seeing the change that this inexpensive project gave my room and how it gave me something to do for a couple hours. Try to find some scrap material around your house and brainstorm some ideas on what to do with it. Make aerations or even sentimental gifts for friends and family.
Make a digital collage
For the past couple years, I’ve taken it upon myself to create my own laptop backgrounds. Being in school, my laptop background is something that I will look at a lot, so I like to fill it with affirmations and other goals I have for the year. I set my theme and go crazy with different aesthetically pleasing pictures, art, movie scenes or quotes that I like. It’s a great way to start your new year. I use the free website Landing Space because it has all the features you’ll need to make your 2024 vision board. You can browse through the community feed to find inspiration and use the community library to find different stickers and photos to use in your collage. There is a ton of creative freedom on this website, so I definitely recommend checking it out!
Have a photoshoot
Everyone needs to dress up every now and then. Even if you’re not going out to an event, you can put on a nice outfit at home and have a DIY photoshoot. I do this regularly during the winter just to boost my confidence during the months that I typically spend indoors and in sweats. Put a fresh face of makeup on, put on your nicest dress and just let yourself feel confident. You don’t have to post the pictures you take but treat yourself as the beautiful model you are!
I hope this list helps you find some fun indoors and maybe help ease some of the winter blues. Have fun and remember to take care of yourself this winter!
Much love, Evelyn <3