5 free & Creative Ways to Beat the Late Winter Blues

The first day of Spring was yesterday but it sure doesn’t feel that way. I’ve spent my entire life in the Midwest, so I’m all too familiar with harsh winters that can often leave us feeling drained and uninspired. While I love the beauty of freshly fallen snow and the way it transforms the world into a sparkling wonderland, there’s no denying that the last stretch of the season can be the hardest.

During March, April, and even into May, Mother Nature often teases us with glimpses of Spring. We’ll have a few days of sunshine and mild temperatures, and start to feel hopeful that winter is finally coming to an end. But then, just when we think we’ve made it through the worst of it, a friggin’ blizzard hits, and we’re stuck inside for days with nothing but gray skies and freezing temperatures again.

Listed below are a few creative projects that anyone can do to push through the end of the season.

Even if you don’t identify as “creative,” these are all activities that even the most conventional thinker can partake in, and best of all, they’ll cost you nothing.

Outdoor Photography

Using just the lens of a camera, one can capture the winter landscape in all its glory and find solace amidst the bleakness of the season. Either an urban or rural environment can offer a plethora of outdoor photography prospects that can be captured effortlessly with just a phone camera. So don’t fret if you lack fancy equipment, you can still produce unique and captivating images by paying close attention to details, such as lighting and texture.

Freshen Up Your Space

Cleaning, rearranging furniture, and tidying up any objects that fill the space in the room you spend the most time in, can be a great way to get over cabin fever, especially if you work from home. These activities can bring a sense of freshness and newness to your space. Changing up your environment can help create a sense of control and empowerment, which can be particularly important during times when you may feel powerless or vulnerable. Additionally, surrounding yourself with beautiful and meaningful objects can provide a source of inspiration and joy, helping to balance the negative effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and improve your overall well-being.

Keep a Journal

Are you ready to host a fantastic backyard bash when the weather turns? Start by deciding who you want to invite and plan out what food and drinks you’ll offer. Head to your local library and thumb through recipe books to find something new and exciting to serve. Will you play games, or have a bonfire? You can even take it a step further by crafting hand-made invitations to hand out to your guests. Finally, back and look forward to a memorable experience filled with laughter and good times!

Plan a Party

Read (or Listen to) a Book

Immersing oneself in a good book allows for a break from daily habits and offers a mental escape from the harsh realities of the outside world. Look, I’ll be the first to admit, I don’t read. If you’re in that boat, opt for listening. You can still get free audiobooks from your local library. A friend from high school (thanks Jenny) recommended hoopla to get started with audiobooks. So, curling up with a cat, eh-hem, I mean a good book, can be a perfect way to get through the last of any brutal cold weather until spring arrives.

Ok, that’s all I’ve got for now. What do you think? Will one of these activities help cure your Winter blues?