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January 3, 2022 5 mins

Feel more festive during dreary days

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Episode Transcript

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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of I Heart Radio.
Good Morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast.
Today's tip is to make a winter fun list. Many
people find the dark, cold days after the holidays to

(00:24):
be challenging. Create a list of things to look forward
to and you can change your entire perspective on the season.
So I really hate being cold. I don't like the
darkness that descends around four thirty p m. In the
middle of winter here in my corner of Pennsylvania. And

(00:46):
yet there are a lot of upsides to living where
I do, and so winter is just part of the bargain.
Every year I make summer fun lists and holiday fun
lists to make sure I have various seasonal adventures. Then
a few years ago, I realized that summer was going
to be fun anyway. Winter, on the other hand, was

(01:10):
crying out for a fun list. How could I make
sure that I enjoyed the season rather than wishing time away.
Some years, that has meant escaping Yep. I have put
Southern California and Florida trips on my winter fun list,
and I make no apologies for that, But there are

(01:31):
other options. One year, I decided to get outside for
at least twenty minutes each day. I upgraded my winter
gear and found it a lot more tolerable. We've got
a great sledding hill at our new house, and so
that is on the winter fun list. I like taking
my kids ice skating at an outdoor rink by the

(01:52):
river downtown. Back when the Philadelphia Flower Show was held
in the winter. That would be a highlight, as what
an orchids show at a local botanical garden. Even going
to the zoo can be a great way to get
a family walk with the chance to warm up it
indoor exhibits as the animals. Some places are darker or

(02:13):
colder than others. But wherever you are and whatever part
of the year is most miserable for you, consider making
a seasonal fun list for that time. What would make
you feel festive even if the holidays are over. What
would make you feel merry and bright. Some things can

(02:34):
be escapist, like taking trips. Some things don't have to
be seasonal, but would lift your mood, like springing for
a massage once a month, or starting up a supper
club with some other families. And some things should take
advantage of the unique conditions it is hard to ice
skate outside when the ice doesn't stay frozen, it's hard

(02:57):
to go sledding with no snow, and hot chocolate by
the fireplace isn't nearly as fun if there is no
reason for the hot chocolate or the fire. Yes, for
many of us, a winter fun list will take more
effort than a summer fun list, but it is worth
that effort. We only have so many years on this planet.

(03:22):
Wishing weeks away because they are dark and cold feels
like such a miserable bargain. When we know we have
many fun things planned, we won't be wishing time away.
We will be savoring it will make memories. Those memories,

(03:43):
in turn, will change our perspective on the months that,
on their own might feel more miserable. That is a
change worth orchestrating. So why not come up with a
dozen things you'd like to do in the next two
to three months. You will enjoy winter or whatever your
miserable season is far more In the meantime. This is Laura.

(04:09):
Thanks for listening, and here's to making the most of
our time. Hey, everybody, I'd love to hear from you.
You can send me your tips, your questions or anything else.
Just connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at

(04:30):
Before Breakfast pod. That's B the number four, then Breakfast
p o D. You can also shoot me an email
at Before Breakfast podcast at i heeart media dot com
that Before Breakfast is spelled out with all the letters.
Thanks so much, I look forward to staying in touch.

(04:53):
Before Breakfast is a production of I Heart Radio. For
more podcasts from my heart Radio, visit the heart Radio app,
Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. Hm, Hm,

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Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam

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