Oh, February. I want to love you, but you're kind of a drag.
Agree? Then join me for virtual and actual escape ideas, because I think we all could stand a five minute break from reality.
Hola Friends,
Starting this newsletter with a made-up statistic.
I swear in my head eight more times per day during winter than I do at any other time of the year.
And when I say swear, I’m telling you, if I were penalized for my offenses (with an old fashioned Swear Jar), I could use the proceeds to send a kid to college.
This happens to me every year, and actually, I blame my ancestors. They chose to settle in a land that is cold. Very, very cold.
Which is troubling, because I am a bit of a complete wimp when it comes to cold, so even when it’s not terribly cold, it still feels terribly cold.
As a result, my vocabulary goes off the leash almost any time I leave my house. It’s prompted mainly by the cold, but also because of things like:
My dirty car. (I’m classic for waiting until that one sunny day to get it washed and spending half my Saturday in line with the rest of the world.)
My winter coat. (I snagged it for $39, and it’s warmer than the day is long, but it’s so bulky I can barely lift my arms. Great if you like doing errands in a sleeping bag, but annoying as $@#%. )
White fingers after a run. (Also after getting the mail, walking outside, driving to the store.)
Managing to never have a matching pair of gloves. (Personal theory - the gloves and socks of the world have gotten together in a plot to drive humans mad. How is it possible to lose items in one’s own house?)
Pushing grocery carts through sloppy parking lots. (And somehow also always picking the cart with the bum wheel.)
And this winter has been relatively mild, friends.
I realize (believe me, I realize) that much more significant problems are happening in the world now. The start of 2025 has been terribly difficult month for many people, and none of this silliness is meant to dimish that.
But, historically, Feburary is a tough month. It’s the point at which many of us have “had it” with winter.
My dad, who was an internist, often talked about how winter was especially difficult for his patients. He wrote a piece about how his patients got sicker in January and February; depression was common. (And, PSA - I feel my dad channeling me here with a reminder to talk to your doctor if you need physical or mental/emotional support.❤️)
I could list more reasons I’m not a fan of winter, but that’s not What I’d Rather Be Talking About this week.
Instead, I want to talk about things that help us forget winter.
First, I’ll share advice from fellow Substackers and my wise niece Olivia (a frequent guest contributor) on how they deal with winter.
Then I’ll provide links, tips, entertainment, recipes, and tricks designed to help take the chill out of the winter air.
In other words, I’m here to help you escape your current reality, even just for a minute or two.
(Newsletter teleporting, if you will.)
Sound good?
Then let’s escape…click on the photo below for your first tip.
And now some great advice…
Check out Rebecca’s Substack, The Hobby Hopper! 
Heather’s Substack, The Artful Writer is one to check out!
Finally, my niece Olivia (who’s always been wise beyond her years), shared her February tips:
Ugh, yes, February is - like Jean-Ralphio's sister in Parks and Rec - the wooooorst!
That being said, I've found a few hacks to get me through it while maintaining a surprisingly decent mental state.
Olivia’s Tips:
If you can, leave the cold climate at least once per winter, even for a weekend reprieve. Traveling for sun/warmth is great for the Vitamin D boost you crave.
Traveling not in the cards? A hot yoga class or membership could be a slightly less expensive alternative. Plus, you need to move your body every day. Every. Single. Day. So why not pretend that it's actually summer while moving your body?
Make and keep a weekly ritual with your friends. I have two weekly rituals during the winter months. I have the girls over weekly to watch "trash television" and consume wine & charcuterie boards. I also attend the same running club every Wednesday and socialize after. Even though I'd consider myself to be more on the extroverted end of the spectrum, regular social activities are SO important for introverts, too! We all need to stay connected to other humans, especially in the winter when it's sometimes easier to stay home and veg out. (Your grandpa would agree, Liv.)
Soup. There's nothing like throwing something in the crockpot or dutch oven and eating it for the next several days in the winter. I don't think I'm the odd one out in claiming that soups make me happy. ( I❤️ mini-turkey meatball soup & slow cooker chicken chili.)
Thank you, Substack Pals and Wise Niece.
And now… LET THERE BE LINKS!
Nothing says beat the winter blues like comfort food. But let’s keep things clean…with these Healthy Warm Winter Snacks for Cold Days. Make dinner something to look forward to with a Week of (Healthy) Cozy Meals. And, if you’d like snacking AND want to work on your gut health, try these fiber-filled bars. They are clean as a whistle, look delicious, and also helpful for your daily routine.😉🚂 (IYKYK)
While you’re snacking, cheer yourself up with 23 Movies You Need to Watch When You’ve Had Enough of Everything. I rest my case.
Maybe nostalgia will cheer you up. I know that nothing makes me feel as old and happy at the same time as realizing that everything I loved in the 80s is now considered vintage. Like Swatch Watches - they’re hot! And how about these 80s items that now seem, well, kinda fancy?
Also, an 80s memory… VHS tapes for recording As The World Turns ,every day. Kids, welcoming to binge watching 80s-style. Photo by Scheich Méshaël Zāhedd on Unsplash
