Even ordinary winter days can become magical when we set the intention to enjoy them. Magical moments are not simple things that happen to us, they are choices that we may the entire day through.
Here are ten simple ways to add magic throughout your winter day:
One. Don’t skip breakfast or scarf it down on the go. Make a meal, even if it is something simple like toast with jam or a bowl of oatmeal and eat it at the table on your nice dishes. Take your time and be present. Notice how it smells, how it tastes.
Two. Drink your morning tea or coffee (or cocoa! Extra magic) in your favorite teacup or mug. This might seem like an inconvenience at first if you only use a to go cups, but you will find that it makes you slow down. Consider keeping a nice cup to use at work or choosing a to go cup that truly sparks joy.
Three. Notice something new on your commute. Perhaps you have taken the same bus or train route or driven the same roads for a long time now. During your commute today look at your surroundings with fresh eyes. Find something you have not noticed before. Or try a new route home.
Four. Listen to gentle and uplifting music as you get ready for your day. As you’re cooking breakfast, taking a shower, or getting dressed have a playlist going in the background. Maybe you do this already or perhaps you wish you listened to music more often. It can set the mood for your day. Some of my favorites are Indie playlists on YouTube by @Alexrainbirdmusic. You can also make your own morning playlist.
Five. Take an afternoon break. Even if it is only a few minutes. Get yourself a cup of tea, go for a short walk, listen to a song, journal, do a crossword, color in a coloring book, or any little activity that takes your mind off things. Your brain deserves a break. Your body does too. Stretch and shape out any tension.
Six. Put your phone away for an hour. If you need it for work, keep the ringer on, but put it out of immediate reach to prevent yourself from scrolling or falling to distraction. Replace scrolling with other tactile activities like coloring, writing notes, tidying a small space or working on a project. Do something creative or get ahead on that work project instead of scrolling.
Seven. Take ten minutes to plan something you will look forward to later. It can be that vacation you have booked for later this year, a meal plan for the week, a party or gathering you want to host next month or plans for your garden. Anticipation of something can be just as enjoyable as the activity or event itself. Give yourself something to look forward to.
Eight. Move your body. It does not have to be a hard workout to have an impact on how you look or feel. Moving every day releases feel good endorphins. Get out for a walk, dance around your living room to Zumba videos on YouTube, attend a yoga class, go on a group hike, skate at a local rink or attend a work out class.
Nine. Cook yourself a real dinner. It does not have to be complicated or expensive to be enjoyable. Make a bowl of your favorite soup from scratch and have it with a grilled cheese, learn the recipe for one of your favorite Asian or Italian dishes. Enjoy the process. Eat it on the nice plates. Invite someone to join you for dinner such as a friend, neighbor, or family member.
Ten. At the end of each day, write down three things you are grateful for. Gratitude changes your brain. If you do this every day for two weeks you will notice a shift in how you feel about your life. You will begin to appreciate more.
I hope that some of these suggestions brighten the winter blues. If you have your own methods for adding magic to your day, please comment below.
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