January always commences with a great sense of optimism. The holiday decorations have been stored away, which means winter is halfway over, which means summer is right around the corner! But then February rolls around and kicks those thoughts straight in the stomach, knocking the wind out of my optimism.
It is always around this time of the year that I am reminded of the fact that I still have to endure two months of humdrum before I can even begin to enjoy the perks of summer (three months until I can enjoy warm weather in Ohio). Two months of humdrum mean 210 more meals that I have to cook on my own, 30 more finance lectures and 10 more stressful Sunday nights. Yikes. Whether you are facing similar struggles as a student or working nonstop until your vacation in June, I think we can agree that it is terrifying to conceptualize the amount of time that must pass before we are finally able to breathe again.
It is also around this time of the year that the temperature in Ohio hits rock bottom. If you have the privilege like me of living in an apartment where the heat is uncontrollable and windows do not completely shut, you know that the frigid air makes pulling yourself out of bed in the morning nearly impossible. My colorless skin and long leg hairs that noticeably poke through leggings epitomize my motivation level during the month of February.
So, if you tend to feel down in the dumps around this time of the year, here are some spicy ways to add color to your life (if you are looking for ways to add color to your face, you clicked on the wrong blog)...
Look forward to a new opportunity.
Make a move today, like applying for a job, planning a dinner with friends or signing up for a race, and then pencil in the foreseeable event to your calendar. This new date that you can actually look forward to will gently shift your thoughts away from piña coladas and sunshine. I promise this tactic is beneficial because if summer is the only upcoming event you are excited for, February is going to be one long month.
Invest in a new do.
Whether it is scheduling an eyelash extensions appointment (an expensive option) or following a "How to Cut Your Own Bangs like a Pro!" YouTube tutorial step by step (a free option), switching up your look can automatically switch up your mindset. A new do also has the potential to distract people from your washed out skin.
Bring on the morning.
My first tip for easing the pain of dragging each limb out of bed is to not sleep with both a weighted blanket and heating pad. The morning after I naively fell asleep with them surrounding me, I woke up two hours late out of a deep, deep sleep. So, learn from my mistake and just snuggle with your $12.99 blanket. Another way to embrace mornings is to have a delicious treat awaiting your lethargic presence. If there is anything that can smoothly haul an American out of a warm bed, it is food. Buying specialty coffee or preparing a bowl of oatmeal the night before somehow has the power to foster joy during hours of the day that have never witnessed such exuberance.
Discover new music.
Enliven your monotonous everyday activities with fresh music. It will add a new purpose to your commute, showers and work sessions.
See! I bet you already forgot about the fact that you have several months until you can breathe a sigh of relief. Shoot -- I did not mean to remind you again.
Cheers to conquering the Winter Season Scaries.
