I grew up in Ohio, where Spring doesn’t arrive till May. I loved to ski, and would rejoice over snow, but ohhh by March I would swear I was moving to warmer temps. Well that dream eventually happened (hello Atlanta!), but I still have a tough time with January. It has been dreary and cold all week and when you are confined indoors and cut off from Vitamin D, it is too easy to get in to a chinese and netflix rut, am I right?? So I decided to be pro-active this season with doing things that will help me battle the winter blues with my fists up. I started this over on instagram, but thought it would be good to carry it over here! I’ve got ideas for my little ones integrated in this list too, because poor things are like caged tiger cubs longingly waiting for the sun to come out and play. They have much more imagination than I do though, so usually they are giving me ideas:) Read on and then leave me your ideas please!

1. Surround yourself with quotes that butter your bread – Ones that get you up in the morning, that keep you going through the tough deadlines, that remind you of your purpose, and ones that make you laugh. You should see my mirror…
(This print was a gift, and hand painted by Bianca Cash)

2. Make a hot breakfast – Food is my love language….as well as my children’s…and my husband’s. Sooo win win with this one. I get pretty lazy in the kitchen for breakfast. Cold cereal is much easier than getting pots and pans dirty, but you know what, when your belly is full of hot food, you feel like no one can rock your boat now! At least for me…:D Again, food is my love language friends.(Heart waffles were a little ambitious…)

3. Act of service – We can get so caught up in our own daily schedules and routine, and it is so easy to coast through a month without having really looked around us. So many people need to be reminded they are cherished, loved, or appreciated. There are so many ways to share acts of service, so I’d love to hear your ideas??! I picked up some flower bunches and gave them to a few pals for various reasons because unless you are allergic to them, they can remind you there is life beyond winter and that maybe someone was thinking about you;) I also had a mother from Gabe’s school recently who made us a meal for no reason, and I tell you what. That went a long way in my most appreciative heart.

4. Vitamin C – Loads of it.  I’ve been making it a goal to give my family and I plenty of Vitamin C through the fruit of the season! As well as fruit in general. Raspberries, blueberries, strawberries (thanks Sprouts), Omega Swirl, and all those good brain foods that battle the colds and keep you feeling energized.

5. Put on some bold lipstick, and maybe get it all over someone you love. Pucker up.

This is just the start of my list, but I’ll be adding to it! So please, leave your ideas in the comment section below so I can make this stretch till the end of February (when Spring usually arrives in GA;))
Play along on instagram: if you do any of the above over the next few weeks, use the hashtag #BattletheWinterBlues because it is much for fun to troop through this together.

Enjoy the long weekend friends!