Romanticizing Beautiful Winter Mornings

Winter mornings are a quiet kind of way to start the day here. Though February is cold and the landscape is bare, I have found that by romanticizing what those wintery views offer – it makes those cold mornings feel more beautiful. The key for me is to pause and notice and embrace what this slower time of year offers and see the beauty it brings- even in the chilly air.

Romanticizing Winter Mornings

Maybe you feel that ‘romanticizing’ is a big word for cold winters. I agree. Winter is my least favorite time of year and so to shift my point of view was not so easy. Did you know that I moved from California to Montana and when I arrived there- it was 2 degrees out. I thought the sign was broken and the 0 after 2 didn’t show up- thinking it was ’20’ not only ‘2’. But it was in fact 2 degrees and that was quite apparent when I stepped out of my Jeep. After living in Montana for a few years, we moved to Minnesota. Even more snowy and cold for even longer. And plugging your car engine in? Who knew that was a thing? Not this girl from Northern California.

When I was younger, I will admit, I thought a trip up to the snow was fun. We would go skiing and sledding and stay in a cabin in Tahoe. Memories in the making and that white stuff falling from the sky? So soft, serene and beautiful! After actually living in winter for several years – my perspective changed. It wasn’t fun and games when it snowed anymore- it was work. Shoveling paths. Icy areas and slips. Sliding in the car. Freezing pipes. A freezing house. Cold hands and feet and that white stuff landing on the ground? It was staying there for months. I missed the warm weather.

The green grass and flowers and leaves on the trees. Sunshine that didn’t blind you as it bounced off all that white. That was when I started to not love winter. Call me a California girl I suppose- I could appreciate snow, but mainly when I could visit it and then go back to a winter view that looked more like a chilly spring day. haha.

But as I have gotten older, I have started to learn to slow down and appreciate each season and what it offers. The obvious things- like the scenery, weather, etc. and the not so obvious things. And that is where the ‘romanticizing’ comes in- finding beauty in the season that you maybe don’t obviously see. Here are a few small things that I enjoy that make winter months seem less like winter and more ‘romantic’ and beautiful.

A couple ideas

• Hot cups of coffee
• A Cozy Fire
• Wrapping up in your robe and not rushing to get dressed and moving.
• Intentionally taking the time to be grateful and give thanks for blessings each morning – before engaging with your phone.
• The chandeliers dimmed to start the morning with a softer light.
• Taking a morning walk and notice the quiet beauty that the stillness of winter can offer.
• Enjoying a slow breakfast. Intentional – savoring a cozy breakfast kind of routine.
• Planting winter bulbs in pots in the house
• Bringing home a bunch of fresh flowers for the table that greet you
• Lighting candles for cozy warmth
• Setting up a breakfast table by the fireplace
• Opening in the curtains(and windows) to allow the early morning sunshine and fresh air in- even if it is chilly outside
• Enjoying a quiet morning reading by a sunlit window
• Baking a loaf of bread or muffins or other delicious treat
• Making an extra cup of tea and enjoying a catch up chat with a friend

How do you romanticize winter?

There are so many ways you could romanticize winter mornings. While it won’t change the temperature outside or that it is winter, it may change your perspective when you look at it a different way. And that could lead to you not being sour about it being winter and being more energized for a slower routine and one that feels much more intentional while you rest and rejuvenate and get ready for spring.

What is your favorite way to romanticize winter?

For More on slowing down in winter- you might enjoy this post on how to slow down and nurture YOU HERE

Grab a Book or Two on Sale

And if you are thinking spring and would like to get lost in some blooming beauty- my latest book IN BLOOM is currently on sale for just $23 – a great time to grab a copy or 2 and Inspired Gatherings is also full of ideas for entertaining all year long- also on sale for just $23 right now too.

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