The Winter List

 

Many years ago I wrote an article for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, titled The Winter Blues. In that article I shared the fact that every year, between Christmas and the month of February, I would start to feel the winter blues and how I came up with a plan to combat those feelings, called The Winter List.

Today I'm sharing this little tip with you, in case you have ever felt those wintery blue feelings and need a way to get through the next few months with purpose. 

The Winter List came about the year after we had all suffered through the flu one February. As the next year rolled around and the days got shorter and darker, I started to feel anxious about the inevitable winter.  I knew I needed something to occupy my mind, once the holiday rush was over, and to get me through to spring, when the sun would come out and the darkness would be over. 

So, that Fall I started making a list of projects I wanted to do around the house. I always have a list of projects pending, but this was a special list that I would save for winter. I grabbed a notepad and went from room to room, writing down things that needed to be fixed, decorated, embellished or decluttered, and kept the list divided by rooms. Even if these things could have been accomplished way before then, I saved the work for January and February and started calling it my Winter List.

As the holidays ended and the new year arrived, I would take my list and start working on the projects, day by day. All these years later, I don't even remember what all I accomplished, I just know that for several years, I got through the winter months with my trusty list. I would make a new list every Fall, hold it until after Christmas, and use it to get through the "boring months" as I like to call them. 

It's been a few years since I've written a Winter List, but I would do it again in a heartbeat, if I needed it. 

Maybe you dread the winter months. Maybe you're not a fan of the cold, dark season and you need a plan to make it to spring. Or maybe you just like to work on things while you're stuck inside. Whatever the reason, grab a notepad and start looking around for things that need your attention. Do a little each day, work on the list weekly or maybe just choose a big project for the month. There's no right or wrong way to make a Winter List, so just do it your own way.

Here's an example of some projects on my list this year:

Sell items on eBay

Hang pictures

Paint the paneling in the living room

Write letters to family

Empty the boxes in the garage

Work on family photo project

🏡

My list has evolved over the years, since we no longer live in a fixer upper (thank goodness!). But there are still many things I would love to accomplish during the next few months. Putting them down on a specific list helps to establish a timeline in my mind (Jan.-Feb) and will hopefully keep me motivated to keep working, when what my body wants to do is hibernate 😅⛄

I hope this idea will motivate you to make a list and feel free to share it on your blog or here in the comments. I would love to hear what you're working on this winter. 

Until Next Time...

Blessings!