Winter is always associated with staying in-doors, trying to stay warm and comfortable. And for the most part, the day goes by slow and boring. But who says winter has to be boring?
Sure, you may not be able to do some activities that you normally engage in but there are so many other options. For starters, you can try legally playing games online, reading new books, or trying a new recipe. There’s just so much to do! Let’s explore some hobbies to add to your winter to-do list.
Try Some Old-fashioned Knitting and Crocheting
Almost everyone has a fond memory of a relative sitting in a corner doing some old-fashioned knitting or crocheting. To those who are just starting out, this hobby may seem daunting, but with practice, it gets easier. So, if outdoor activities in winter don’t have much appeal, you can consider taking up knitting or crocheting. You can always find videos on the internet to teach you the fundamentals of this activity, so you don’t start blindly.
The process is not complicated at all; all you need is some yarn, knitting needles or crochet hooks, and a large basket to store supplies in. For starters, it’s best to begin with a small blanket or scarf, then you move to more complex pieces.
Improve Your Literacy with Reading and Writing
If you want to improve your literacy, you have to engage your mind with books.
Some people have said that reading is slowly turning into a lost art. Life’s fast pace barely gives people the luxury of slowing down and reading a book unless people decide to do so intentionally. That is why you should take advantage of cold nights and quiet days by getting lost in books. You can finally read those books you’ve had for some time and explore more of the genres you like.
In addition, who says reading is the only way to go? Try starting a writing project or developing your creativity by writing your thoughts down. The great thing is that it doesn’t have to be a serious project; it could even be something as simple as journaling or writing short stories.
Listen to Music and Watch Movies
Let’s see a show of hands if you played an instrument as a child. If yes, when was the last time you dusted it off your instrument to play some music? Yup, that’s what we thought.
Everyone knows music is good for the soul as it helps relax the nerves. As such, winter is that time of the year when you can continue your lessons on piano, guitar or any other instrument. And if you are new to it, you can always learn on your own and keep practicing, since practice makes perfect, right?
When you are done practicing for the day, you can cuddle up and watch some TV shows and movies. The best part is that you don’t have to change out of your pajamas; simply get some snacks and get comfy while choosing what to watch.
(Re-)Decorate Your Home
When it comes to the home, winter is one of the best seasons to get into decorating (or redecorating, as the case may be). As with reading, it is very easy to be pulled by daily chores and work, not to mention the never-ending to-do lists, to the point where there is no time left for redecorating.
If this is so, then there are ways to make the coldest months work for you, and what better place to start than with sprucing up your own home? It doesn’t need to be a major redecoration; a change of wallpaper or even vacuuming and changing up the furniture should do.
Baking and Cooking
With Halloween, Thanksgiving and the winter holidays, something about the wintertime can really trigger your sweet tooth. Have you tried making your favorite comfort foods from scratch? Come on, you are already indoors, so you might as well prepare delicious treats, such as cakes, muffins, cookies, etc. This is also an opportunity for you to master your baking skills or, better still, try out new soup and stew recipes when you are craving something a little more nourishing.
Candle Making
Sometimes, winter comes with severe storms that can knock out electrical grids and result in power outages. This is why it is a good and fun idea to make some candles during those cold months.
You’re probably thinking, “But I’ve never done this before.” Fret not! As long as you can roll something up, you can make non-toxic beeswax candles. Consider purchasing a kit online.
Play Some Board Games or Solve Puzzles
Chess, scrabble, and Monopoly are common board games you can use to challenge your mind. These activities are perfect for quiet nights indoors, which you can enjoy solo or with family and friends. Board games offer a social element that allows for fun and friendly competition.
Jigsaw or logic-based puzzles are also games that one can use to stimulate the brain. Beyond that, it also provides a sense of accomplishment when completed, so consider investing in a few games or puzzles for your cozy winter evenings.
Painting and Drawing
If you are creative, feel free to express that by painting and drawing. When a blizzard is raging outside, it just might be the best time to put pencil to paper to begin drawing or use watercolor to paint. And if you have a tablet, you can go modern and use painting or drawing apps to create digital art.
Plan Your Garden
Note that we said, “plan your garden” not “begin gardening.” A mistake most people make, especially those new to gardening, is that they only start thinking about it when it’s spring. But that’s not correct.
There’s a lot you can do in the winter months, which usually includes planning, ordering, and starting seeds indoors. You don’t necessarily have to wait till the middle of April to start planning your garden. Use the winter to prepare, so that when it’s spring, you can hit the ground running.
Don’t Forget Yoga Exercises
It’s quite common to hear complaints of how winter prevents people from going to the gym, but that doesn’t mean you can stay fit in the comfort of your home. You can always build up a sweat by doing yoga, dancing, tai chi, and other low-energy workouts. To track your progress, install free exercise apps, but make sure you only set realistic goals that you can accomplish.
That’s a Wrap!
We believe that you are now convinced that winter shouldn’t be all about sitting inside and doing nothing. No matter how cold it is, you now know the best things to keep you engaged. Remember—every winter is an opportunity to try something new.