Happy 2025! I wish you lots of cozy drinks, a pile of good books, and soft fluffy socks to plunge deep into for the first 3 months of the year. 

In Northeastern Ohio, it’s cold and gray until the end of March. There are times when I don’t mind staying home, but other days when winter can feel way too long.

I’m sharing some tips that lift my spirits on those bleak days when the sun doesn’t show itself.

  1. After cleansing I like to steam my face. I hold a big ole towel over my head in the bathroom sink. My Mom used to do this when we had croup and put Vicks Vaporub under our noses. My intention now is to open my pores and keep my skin hydrated. It feels warm on a frigid day!
  1. I like to wake up with a purpose. I feel better when I accomplish tasks. Since we have a cat, I always have “daily cat chores”. But I always have something extra on my agenda. Whether I add another thing to do around the house, run an errand, or even read the last couple of chapters in a book, I feel more satisfied. 
  1. Having a coffee date with a friend, grabbing lunch, or looking forward to weekend plans. Having something to look forward to boosts my mood. 
  1. Even when I don’t intend on leaving the house, I always put on makeup. It just makes me feel better.
  1. I stretch multiple times a day and try to ride my stationary bike at least 3 times a week, depending on how my arthritic and chronic pained back feels. 

Even if those gray skies seem endless, do something that makes you feel good about yourself and accomplished! …now get up and enjoy the day!..lol