Beating the Winter Blues || “The Jar” Method + 21 Ideas to Stay Busy
I purposefully live in a place where it’s winter for the better part of the year. I also purposefully live in a 37 foot RV. These two “purposely’s” can lead to some wonderful adventures, but, in our four months in this tiny home, I’ve also come to expect the stir-crazies as well.
Regardless of where you live, winter can be long and depressing and, especially when there are children involved, leave you counting the days till the sun shines again. Whether you struggle with seasonal anxiety or depression or are just looking for a few ways to keep your family busy this winter, I thought I’d share a few of the ways I’m proactively staying busy with my girls to ward off excessive winter blues.
The Jar
After seeing this post from Erin Lochner, I decided to do my own take on “the Jar” for winter (and likely each season afterwards). I simply wrote down every activity I could think of on a strip of paper, folded it up and placed it inside an empty jar. Each day, or whenever the winter blues hits especially hard, I have my girls draw one piece of paper. Regardless of what the activity is, we have to do it that day.
The Jar forces me to get beyond my home-body nature and ensures that my five and three year old children are getting the activity they need to stay healthy and engaged in a small space.
It seems rigid, or maybe overly simplified, but when given the choice to go out or do nothing, I usually choose doing nothing. This option forces me to do things that my girls will love and not default to letting them play on their own or, honestly, just throwing a movie on when I get overwhelmed.
My list isn’t exhaustive, but so far, it’s been so helpful for getting us out (or at least doing something new inside) each day.
Build a snowman
Make a fort inside and watch a movie together or read books
Write a letter to grandma (or a friend)
Pick 2-3 toys/clothes/items to donate and go thrifting for a new treasure
Get bundled up and go for an adventure walk outside
Go swimming at the local rec center
Schedule a play date
Bake cookies
Have a picnic on the kitchen floor
Have an at-home spa day (complete with manicures from Handmade Beauty, of course).
Make hot cocoa and watch a movie together
Go to the park and play in the snow
Take the pup on a walk
Play Eye Spy
Draw a picture of…
Play a board game
Make homemade play-dough
Play restaurant
Go to the library
Do 15 jumping jacks
Go sledding
What would you add to your own Jar? How are you warding off the Winter Blues?
