It’s the dead of winter, which may mean knee-deep snow or just a lot of gray days, depending on where you live. January to me is a time of reflection and reframing, a time to appreciate cozy evenings, warm drinks, and fires. Here are five ways to celebrate the new year!
1. Start a library habit. There are few habits that will reap more rewards than getting into the routine of visiting the library. If you don’t have a card, figure out how to get one, then mark “Go to library” on your calendar. Visit on a prescribed schedule until it’s just habit. Libraries are one of the most amazing underutilized resources. Even if you don’t like reading, check out the movies, video games, audiobooks, and more!
2. Order seeds. If you’re thinking about a garden for springtime, now is the time to cheer yourself up by thumbing through seed catalogs. I highly recommend Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds.
3. Forage some pine needles. Learn to identify white pine, and you’ll have ingredients for an herbal tea chock-full of Vitamin C to get you through the winter months! Simply chop the needles roughly and steep them for several minutes in boiling water.
4. Figure out how to cook something you’ve never tried. Winter is the perfect time to learn different cooking techniques— whether you’re baking, braising, roasting, or sautéing, the extra heat in the kitchen is a plus rather than a minus this time of year. Do you want to learn how to make sourdough bread? The perfect soufflé? Sushi? Meatloaf? The Internet (or the library, see above) has everything you need to get started.
5. Bundle up and get outside. Play in the snow, take a walk, watch winter birds (St. Louisans, did you know it’s eagle-watching season?), throw some rocks into a frozen pond. It can be intimidating to brave the cold during the winter, but the benefits are well worth it!
How do you celebrate January?
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