wintering vol 4

favorite things edition (and a giveaway!)

There’s something cozy about pencils. I couldn’t tell you why, but when I heard Meg Ryan say in You’ve Got Mail that New York in the fall made her want to buy school supplies, I was like YES. THAT. A bouquet of sharpened pencils? mmhmm. Yup.

There are some things we associate with feeling cozy. For me it’s pencils, sherpa blankets, stoneware mugs, a soft light, a blank page in a journal, a good book, and a pair of soft pajamas. Isabel Gillies (in the book Cozy) says that our idea of cozy stems from our individuality. What’s cozy to me might not be cozy to you. My husband, for example, associates cozy and comfort with the movie Die Hard. mmm. Ok, my guy. Guns and greasy tank tops don’t scream cozy to me but you do you, boo.

All that to say, knowing yourself will help you figure out what cozy is to you. Building your winter nest is largely dependent on knowing what materials to use as you build it. What do you like? What do you get excited about? What makes you come alive, even when your heart and your body are tired? Is it books? Music? Walks? Fire in the fireplace? Soup on the stove?

by lore pemberton

When I was in the thickest parts of postpartum depression a few years ago, I felt like I had no idea who I was anymore. I was so consumed by having three small children and meeting all of their needs that I forgot that I was a person too. So one day, while my kids napped, I took out my computer and made a secret Pinterest board called “Things That Make Me Happy”. I scrolled through the homepage of my Pinterest account and pinned every single thing that produced even the slightest bit of serotonin in my brain. When Zach came home from work, I was sitting on the front porch, computer in my lap, number 2 crying and laughing and he was like, “Um. You good?” I looked up from my computer and yelled, “I LIKE THINGS!”

I had been so consumed by my depression that I forgot that I liked things. I can 100% pinpoint that as the day when I began to fight back against my serotonin sucking depression. I remembered that there were parts of me motherhood hadn’t consumed and it was ok that I had interests. Even if they were dorky ones (as a lot of mine are! Haha).

Your activity for this week is to do the same thing. Fill your mug with something warm, put your favorite movie on, and then make a Pinterest board called “Things That Make Me Happy” and go wild. Just pin and pin and pin and pin and don’t stop for at least 30 minutes. Instigate some serotonin in your brain and remind yourself that you like things.

Don’t let the task nature of it overwhelm you. This isn’t homework! Just start with one thing - a color, a flower, a book title, a sweater, a pair of shoes, a favorite recipe, a movie, a poem. That one thing will lead to another thing then to another thing until you teach the Pinterest algorithm what to show you and before you know it, you’ll be having a blast looking at and pinning the things that bring you joy.

by loustitches

I’m going to share some of my favorite things with you and then I’m going to give some of them to you. But first - make your Pinterest board! And of course I’d love for ya’ll to share some of the things that you think are cozy. Let’s give each other some ideas!  

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In this wintering volume :

• Winter where you are

• Favorite things

• Giveaway!

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Winter Where You Are
I asked a few of my friends to send me some pictures and a few words about how they winter where they are. featured in every Friday email!

Dusty Hegge, Washington // @dustyhegge

Our winters aren't especially cold. We don't get very much snow if any. Our Winters? They be dark, yo. 😅 Dark you can feel in your bones. The sun sets around 4:00 pm it's pitch black by 4:30 pm. To add to the misery of it all it rains most days, so even when it's daylight hours it's still grey outside. Here in the PNW winters are dark and damp and dreary.

I've had varying levels of depression my whole life, primarily brought on from our good ol' friend trauma. When winter comes I can feel a fog of sadness settle in. It's thick and palpable.

I've realized over the years that while there is value in having the appropriate mindset, no mindset shift is going to cure me of depression. It may be encouraging for a time and they certainly have their place! But I wholeheartedly believe we spend too much work trying to change our “mindset” with just our minds and not enough with our ACTIONS.

When our minds are weakened by the lies we are believing, or by chemical imbalances, or from whatever difficult thing we are battling, why are we relying solely on our weak minds to heal us?

So here are a few practical things I do:

1. SET CLEANING TIMERS // We are stuck inside more and cleaning feels endless. Our surroundings play a huge role in our overall comfort and mood so I work hard to prioritize cleaning up. But it can feel daunting in the thick of depression. No need to get out all the fancy cleaners, just set a timer for the MINIMUM amount of time you can muster to clean and tackle the area that bothers you the most. You'll be surprised how much you get done.

2. GO OUTSIDE // Even if it's only for a few minutes. There is so much science to back why spending time outside is critical for our overall health and happiness. To make it a bit easier I suggest investing in a coat or scarf that you love! Or finding a way to involve your spouse/kids so you have some accountability. Can you go on a family walk after school? Can you sit outside in the cold all bundled up to drink your coffee? Make it fun! Or heck, just stand outside on your porch for a few minutes. It'll help.

3. EAT NOURISHING FOOD // It's easy to either under-eat or overeat empty carbs when we are depressed, ESPECIALLY during the holidays. No shame here, my friend! How can you be strategic and stock nourishing and delicious easy grab snacks? I stock on things yummy things like dates, pistachios and others nuts, fruits and veggies, goat cheese, and whole wheat bagels.

Whenever I make a healthy grain (quinoa, oatmeal, rice, etc) I double (if not more) the batch to eat throughout the week. Quinoa is my go-to. Cook it in chicken stock or bone broth for extra flavor and nourishing goodness. Add it to salads or reheat with some veggies, lemon juice, parsley (of whatever herbs you have) serve in a bowl throw in some mixed greens on top, and go HEAVY on the parmesan.

4. MAKE IT EASIER // Can you use paper plates? Can you buy some easier lunch items for the kids? Like hummus cups or pre-chopped veggies? Can you cut down on the clutter so you have less to pick up? Do whatever you can to cut out the redundant and the overwhelming.

5. READ YOUR BIBLE // I know this is cliche, but I pinky promise it's the most important one. Make time to read and study scripture. God alone is our source of truth. Ask for Him to help you enjoy it. Ask a friend to read it with you. And consider how you can add more bible focused content to your day. I've really enjoyed the 10 Minute Bible Hour Podcast - short but in depth, funny, and such quality/enjoyable content.

6. LIMIT SCREENS // In the last year I've worked hard to slowly reduce my screen time. I have seen HUGE health benefits and fast. But it's hard (like really hard) to reduce screen time! So give yourself grace, set a goal, and then make a plan.

I started by stopping all screens by 9 pm and replacing it with something I enjoy (for me that's reading or crocheting or just going to bed). My phone automatically shuts off all the apps except the ability to make a phone call and send a text. Search for "digital wellbeing" in your phone settings.

Remember, these are things I have been working on implementing over the last 2-3 years. I didn’t do this all at once. It’s okay to take it slow and pick one to start with.

I promise this doesn't last forever. Our King is coming! Rest is near! Cling to truth. Remind yourself daily that your health is WORTH fighting for and remember where your strength comes from, because it certainly will be fight. A worthy fight!

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FAVORITE THINGS + A GIVEAWAY!

First - I’ll tell you my favorite things.
Then - You tell me yours.
Then - We’ll have ourselves a good ‘ol fashioned giveaway, not sponsored by anyone other than me!

my favorite wintering things :

Gap reverse fleece joggers - I bought these for myself on Zach’s birthday, as one does.

Stoneware mugs - there’s just something about the way a stoneware mug feels in the palm of your hand that just says “you are safe here.” 

Fuzzy slippers or a good pair of thick socks - I have these slippers from amazon.

Pendleton blanket - Costco or Home Goods have the best prices on these and they are the snuggliest, warmest, perfect winter blanket. They’re only $20 or $30 depending on what size you get!

A good book - my go to winter books are the Harry Potter series. Every time. Every winter. pair it with a hot butterbeer and you’re in my winter paradise. *chef’s kiss*

Now let’s give some things away.

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WINTER THINGS GIVEAWAY!

To enter, just comment on this post sharing your favorite things and/or post a picture of your favorite wintering things in your stories on instagram. (You don’t have to do this to enter. Just for fun!) The winner will get a wintering package from me full of some of my favorite things including a pendleton blanket!

Drop a comment here and you’ll be entered to win! I’ll pick a random winner on Monday. (You don’t have to be in the U.S. to win!)