Once Halloween is over and Starbucks starts rolling out their red cups, the excitement hits me. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s are on their way, and I become giddy with happiness. Holiday music is playing everywhere and decorations start appearing in stores and around the neighborhood. The holiday spirit is contagious, and I truly love the season.
But once the music stops playing, the gifts are exchanged, and the decorations are all packed up, it hits me.
The Winter Blues.
Maybe it’s the frigid weather we have been having in New Orleans, but the winter blues are real over here. Did you know that the 3rd Monday of January is actually coined “Blue Monday” and is said to be the most depressing day of the year?
It gets dark by 5pm, and with these chilly temps as of late, our kids are stuck inside instead of playing outside, and it is making everyone wild. And if you were even thinking of going to one of the super fun indoor play places in our area, I’m passing on those. Between the RSV and flu outbreaks, it’s giving me an extra dose of the winter blues.
So with the weather being extra chilly and the fear of getting our household sick, I feel like my little family has barely left the house besides going to school and work. Is anyone else with me? To lift my spirits up and get out of this funk, here are my tips to hopefully beat the winter blues in the South.
Get Ready for Mardi Gras!
Head on out and get your favorite King Cake and indulge in the season. Or better yet, rally up your family and make a king cake with the kiddos! Here is a fun and easy recipe.
Get out of your sweats
I know, I know, it’s so easy to just throw a baggy sweatshirt over your leggings and head out to carpool with either a messy bun or a hat. Cold weather is ideal for those who are lazy like myself when it comes to getting ready for the day. However, take advantage of this low humid weather and get dressed! Enjoy not having your make up melt off your face and your hair not going flat like it will in a few months, and get dressed. Plus, we have limited days where we can wear knee high boots and fun coats. Take advantage ladies.
Plan a Trip
With Mardi Gras, Easter and Summer break all coming up in the upcoming months, make your plans now! Part of the fun of a trip is planning it. Am I right? Making your plans and looking forward to your upcoming vacation will surely change your mood.
Get Cozy
With these chilly temps, light the fireplace! Let your littles pick a movie, make some hot cocoa with copious amounts of marshmallows, put on your pj’s and cuddle in front of the TV. Take advantage of the down time you may have this month and cherish the little moments and enjoy each other.
Tackle 2018 with your Planner
I recently received a fancy new planner for the new year and have been using it daily with organizing our life and planning out the year. One thing that has been helping me is making to do lists inside of my planner and scratching them off daily. Every day I look back and see what I’ve done, and I feel a bit of accomplishment. It may sound silly, but it sure has helped me a lot.
