Monthly Musings: Beating The Winter Blues

Hey friends! I'm doing pretty good with this whole "keeping up with the blog" thing! I'm back with some more Q+A's, and next week I'll come back with some real updates but for now...

1. Something you do for yourself to beat the winter blues?

Indulge in a hobby - reading, baking, scrapbooking, blogging, etc.

Listen to music - loudly. 

Clean or take care of a nagging task
Call a friend 
Unplug/ Write a  gratitude list

2. Something you do for your family to bring joy over the winter?

Call them - get out of your own head, ask how they are and LISTEN. Make plans to get out somewhere for a change of scenery. 

3. Favorite cozy items or go-to's?

FLEECE-EVERYTHING! The fuzzy blanket, pants, socks, oversized sweatshirts- all of it! 

4. Winter exercise habits or practices?

I walk 30 min (mostly uphill) everyday during my commute- does that count? Also getting some cardio in when I'm running late for my train!

5. Do you practice journaling or meditation?

Yes. I can't quiet my mind enough for meditation, but I actually just started getting back into journaling. I forgot how much I missed it, and how cathartic it can feel.

6. Do you light candles or use essential oils to relax?

I light candles more for ambiance, but I do it as soon as I get home from work. I also kept a string of snowmen lights up for the same reason- and they make me smile. 

7. Any bedtime rituals you would like to share to promote quality sleep?

Turning off the phone at least a half hour before sleep, and also reading before bed. 

8. What are your morning habits that help prepare for a good day?

I'm REALLY not a morning person. But I do prep my coffee, put my bag together, and figure out what I'm wearing the night before. 

9. Favorite way to spend a day off in winter?

Wake up late and wear lounge clothes the entire day. If I'm alone, curl up and read or write or both. Have a spa day. If I'm with someone, play a game (Scrabble or Yahtzee are favorites), have a big meal together and some adult beverages, and watch a movie (or at least part of one!). 

10. Favorite winter themed movies?

I don't know if I have any "winter" themed favorites, but I definitely have Christmas faves: Elf, Love Actually and the Holiday. Oh, I really liked Serendipity too, and pretty sure that counts as a winter one! 

Tell me more about you!

Linking up with Holly and Patty!

Winter Bucket List

Much like last year I'm late in posting my Winter Bucket List, and because of that I've already crossed some of these items off of my list but I thought I'd post it anyway (better late then never, amiright?)!

deck the halls

Have a holiday movie night including all my favorites: Love Actually, Elf, The Holiday, and Die Hard- complete with hot cocoa and footie pajamas

read some cozy Christmas-themed stories

set some New Year/monthly goals

start a new holiday tradition

get back into meal planning

read a non-fiction book

accomplish 5 to-do items I've been avoiding

"Home Edit" my apartment (aka get rid of some shit lol)

create a 2022 recap of GOOD things

What's on your list? Any ideas I need to add?

Would You Rather?

Hi friends! Sorry for the impromptu hiatus, but I'm baaaack! To say I haven't been motivated to post would be a severe understatement. I don't know why, but I wasn't feeling particularly "festive" this holiday season. Many of my coworkers and friends were either feeling the same or were sick with one thing or another. BUT! I'm ready to share again, and what better way to start than with some "Would You Rather?" questions hosted by Marsha?! I promise to give you some real-time updates soon, but for now, this is all I got. So without further ado...

Would you rather make resolutions, select a word of the year, or make bucket lists?

Bucket lists. I love making lists!

Though I did choose a word this year which I haven't done in... well, I don't actually remember the last time. It's "engagement." I was kind of forced into it for a work project, but I can absolutely apply it to my personal life as well. A lot of times, I'll see a message in a group text (or something similar) and not respond. Sometimes I answer it in my head but forget to actually respond, and sometimes I just ignore it completely. Not sure why. That's just one example but this year I want to make a conscientious effort to... not do that. 

Also, I don't believe in new years resolutions. People follow them for what, a month? Lame. I'd rather make some more attainable monthly goals. 

Would you rather make memories on vacations or save for a big occasion (retirement, wedding, college, etc.)?

MAKEALLTHEMEMORIES!!!

I honestly don't want a big occasion for any reason (believe me, my Sweet 16 was enough)! But seriously, even for a retirement or wedding I want to GO somewhere I've never been, and make memories there as opposed on spending big on a party. 

Feeding Mala papaya in India

Would you rather buy all the things on sale or shop your closet?

Shop my closet, because I already shopped all the sales and they're in my closet! I also hate shopping so unless something loses it's shape/doesn't fit right and I really loved it, or something needs to be replaced, I'm not inclined to go shopping. 

Would you rather shed weight through fad dieting and do it quickly or eat differently and lose slowly?

Um. This doesn't really apply to me as I've always been too skinny (and don't skinny-shame me! It's a real thing!) But to gain weight, I'd rather eat differently to gain slowly. (Also don't say "drink milkshakes everyday!" I tried that... it just made me feel sick.)

Would you rather undergo some type of facial treatment or update a room in your home?

That's a pretty vague question... what kind of "facial treatment?" Like getting a facial or like a nose job? I decided a loooong time ago I'm not getting any type of cosmetic surgery (back when I was considering getting a boob job) but then I saw my friend go through a breast reduction and all that went along with that. NOTHANKYOU. So yeah, let's revamp a room in my home! I've always dreamed of having a cozy bay window facing the sun with lots of cushions as a reading nook. Something like this...

Would you rather watch Paul Hollywood or RuPaul?

WHO??

Would you rather have to wear the same color all year long or not wear that color at all?

I basically only wear shades of black, gray, and burgundy/dark red all year round, so I guess wear the same color all year. 

Would you rather wear a designer look or a designer knockoff?

LOLOL. I guess knock off? I can't imagine spending that much money on any outfit, I'd rather spend it on a vacation (see above)! Also, I feel somewhat embarrassed by designer things, like I'm going to get them dirty or messed up somehow? Someone bought me a designer bag a couple years ago and I think I carried it out exactly once?! I'm just not that kinda girl. 

Would you rather be overdressed or underdressed at an occasion?

Overdressed for sure. I don't think I've ever been underdressed... just wasn't brought up that way. Actually wait- I was underdressed once. I got called in to work for an emergency meeting on a Sunday when I was already at the beach and showed up in a bikini and coverup... SO EMBARRASSING! 

Would you rather have only neutral clothing or extremely colorful clothing?

Again, most of my wardrobe is neutrals so definitely neutrals. Easier to mix and match.