Amiga, Winter Is Coming.. What Do We Do?
Soooo no se if y’all know this pero winter is coming 🫠
I think a lot of us would love to book a flight to an island & disappear until the Spring. However, I also know how expensive everything is right now so te entiendo if that's not in the budget, which is why I have decided to provide y’all with a list of free & cheap-ish things to do in order to protect our sanity this winter until we are able to defrost again next Summer 🌺✨
But first, let me talk about our families.
A lot of us may have grown up in households where "depression" was not a word anyone used. Seasonal sadness maybe got brushed off as "you're just tired" or "back home we didn't have time for that." You are able to try to explain what you're feeling to your family, but also keep in mind that they may not understand. You're allowed to keep loving them & still take care of yourself.
Okay, now the list ✨
Free & cheap-ish things to help us thrive this Winter
Start prepping now before it gets too dark & gloomy y no queremos hacer nada. Set things up now while you still have the energy such as little routines, plans with people, or adding cozy stuff around your space.
• Chase the sunlight, even for 10 minutes. Sit by a window, take a short walk on your lunch break, anything that gets real light on your face during the day.
• Protect your sleep like it's sacred. A consistent sleep & wake time does more for your mood regulation than almost anything else on this list.
• Move your body, even from your living room. There are tons of free YouTube videos for at-home pilates, yoga or dance cardio if leaving the house feels like too much some days. (I personally love Pilates Body by Raven). If movement genuinely helps your mood, it might also be worth treating a gym membership you'll actually use as an investment for your mental health.
• Spend real time with your community, whether it’s a phone call, coffee, or a family gathering that feels good instead of draining. Isolation is one of the biggest amplifiers of seasonal low moods, so protecting connection matters more in these months.
• Adopt a kitty who needs a home lol, local shelters are full & adoption fees are usually way cheaper than people expect. Plus you get a built in cuddle buddy for the cold months (Domingo approves of this one).
• Create a vision board of what you want Summer you to feel like. This can give Winter a purpose instead of just something we have to get through.
One last thing..
Please remember, you do not have to earn rest this Winter. You are not lazy for struggling when the days get dark. You are a normal person with a nervous system that responds to light & rhythm.
Be gentle with yourself, amiga 🫶🏼
If you're in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, please call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.
