I live in Upstate New York, and it’s late January when I’m writing this. I don’t know where you’re reading this from, but wherever you are, we all face a winter of some kind. Although I’m thinking yours probably doesn’t come with the feet of snow I have surrounding me. Now, there are days I resent this frozen tundra, but overall, I’m trying to embrace what can come from getting snowed in. 

I’ve always loved going out and finding inspiration at different coffee shops, in nature, or even just taking a walk outside to center my thoughts on a story. There is a season for that, but in the winter here, there are days I’m not even supposed to leave the house with the arctic temperatures. Now, finding motivation to write, or even just to stick to a productive routine, requires a little extra effort.

Have you heard of the terms ‘winter uglies’, ‘writing slumps’, or ‘winter blues’? I’ve experienced both in past years, but this year, I’ve been determined to make the best of it. I might not live in a sunshine state, but how can I embrace this cozy season? 

Right away, I like to clean up my space. I’m the kind of person who needs a tidy space to feel inspired. If dishes are around, the bed isn’t made, and things aren’t picked up, then I catch myself in a slump. When things are scattered, my mind is scattered. So, staying on top of the chores, lighting a candle, and making a cozy reading corner are perfect ways to make a homey space worth spending extra time in. 

Luckily for me, I have plenty of indoor activities I love to do. Instead of looking at this season as one I’m cooped up in the house, I can look at this as extra time I get doing what I love: reading, working out in our home gym, cuddling with my dogs, and of course, writing. I don’t want to resent this extra time. 

I have outlines and chapters to write, and that’s not getting done if I’m sitting in a slump. Luckily for me, I’m a homebody anyway. I have no problem staying home, but being inspired from home can be trickier. In my last blog, I talked about how I was working on writing something on the page every day. That’s still coming into play, and maybe even more important when I’m fighting the winter slump. 

So, with discipline and a space I really enjoy spending time in, I have the chance to embrace a cozy season where I can really feel at home, and inspired, and not let these next few months go to waste. Take this as a reminder to live in the best every season has to offer. I know it can be hard to do, but find small ways to make this winter season one you can embrace, not another one you spend complaining and wasting your time waiting for the next season. 

Annabelle Furr