Author: Jennah Faruqui Copy Editor: Saadiya Patel
Lead Copy Editor: Jacob Marion
Photographer: Jahna Bird
Models: Daibei Wang & Juliana Angheloni
As daylight hours diminish and our tans start to fade, we all begin to slowly retreat into hibernation for the dreaded colder months ahead. To keep us all sane and boost our serotonin levels without vitamin D, here are some tips and activities to help you slay your hibernation era.
1. Cultivate Your Living Space
We all spend a lot more time in our rooms during the winter months; therefore making your space as welcoming and cozy as possible is important. The first step to romanticizing your life is getting rid of harsh, bright white overhead lighting in your living space. Add lamps, fairy lights, candles or even tiny glow-in-the-dark stars on your bedroom ceiling. These lighting transformations make all the difference in a space, allowing your room to be bathed in a warm glow to help soothe your mind. Putting time into your space is also your chance to de-clutter, tidy, and even spend time doing home projects you never have time to do. Creating an area where you can unwind and feel safe will allow you to naturally challenge your winter blues.
2. One Hobby That Does Not Involve the Internet
Find something you enjoy that can help you disconnect from the overwhelming amount of digital consumption, often the cause for fueling anxieties and worries. Pick up crocheting, knitting or painting, as long as it’s something that does not revolve around the internet, social media or any screen. You can do such hobbies either by yourself or socially, but the more time you spend off the internet, the better you will feel and the more you will feel like you are romanticizing your life.
3. Play with Layers
The secret to winter clothing is being prepared for all situations, especially for the fashion girls who live in Canada. Winter fashion is all about dressing in layers. You can have a lot of fun playing with different textures and patterns and how they all pair together. Winter allows for experimentation. Try oversized silhouettes and darker tones or neutral colours. Be bold, and check out Pinterest for inspiration.
4. Dry Season
The winter months are known as the dry season for our skin; the cold air seems to strip our skin, making it dry and brittle as our summer glow disappears. Remember to pamper your skin and body. Tapping into your winter glow and performing self-care is extremely important during this time, so layer on moisturizers and hydrating lip balms. You can even make it a girl’s night and do face masks and DIY body scrubs while you’re at it.
5. Study Dates
Whether you like to work alone or with others, pack up your bag and walk to your favourite place on campus or a cozy cafe to study. Seasonal depression intertwined with the difficulties of school can be an overwhelming combination. Instead of leaning into the season’s stress, focus on the task at hand. Purchase a coffee and romanticize your surroundings along with the passion for what you are studying.
6. Create the Perfect Playlist
If you do not have the perfect playlist curated for the colder months, it’s no wonder seasonal depression is so taxing. To really romanticize your life, listen to your playlist once you are finished working or studying. Not only will you feel accomplished after working all day, but some of the best fall and winter songs can even make you feel like a main character in a rom-com movie. Some great songs for this time of year include “Kiss Me” by Sixpence None the Richer, “Fearless” by Taylor Swift, “Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog, and “How to Dream” by Sam Phillips.
7. Start a Book Club
Use this time to get comfortable and cozy up with a book, maybe even consider joining or starting a book club with your friends to discuss your new reads. Not only is it better than staring at your phone, scrolling on TikTok or watching a TV show, but it helps to relax and distract yourself, thus relieving anxiety. Getting lost in the perfect book disconnects you from your life for a second and makes the rest of the world go away.
8. Slow Season
The winter season is about rejuvenation when nature and life slow down. Do not be afraid to tap into hibernation, take inspiration from nature and animals around us and take time for yourself. This does not mean you must become introverted, however, this season offers time for reflection. Focus on how you can mentally challenge and change some of your thoughts by focusing on aspects of your life that fuel your energy. Consider how you can do this without that 30-degree summer sun. Give yourself time to reset.
9. Don’t Avoid the Cold
Even though you might be scared to venture out into the cold, don’t take hibernating too seriously. Go for a midnight skate or a hot girl walk and listen to your new playlist. Winter, just like summer, has its own beauty, so make sure to enjoy it!
