Well, everyone, this is my first post of 2026. We’re almost halfway through January, yes, you read that right. This is what I consider the “trenches” of winter. Yes, the days are getting longer, but the snow is still falling, and there aren’t any signs of it stopping soon. And to be quite frank, I’m relatively over it. Today I’m sharing my three tips on surviving the next couple of months in the frozen north, and how to make the most of them. This time of year can be challenging for many people, as my mother can attest, so I’m hoping to help make it a little bit easier.

Tip No. 1: Embrace It!

Unless you have deep pockets and limited responsibilities, you’re likely stuck here for a portion, if not all, of the winter. Yes, you can go on vacation, but how long does that last? And then when you come home, there’s likely still snow on the ground, and you’ve got at least a couple of greuling weeks left. You can’t totally escape it, so embrace it and enjoy it!

I often walk with my head down, but when you look up at what’s in front of you, winter truly is beautiful. I suggest finding somewhere in your area where you can walk or get in some activity, so you don’t feel totally confined to your area. If you live around Sault Ste. Marie, shoot me an email, and I can give you some suggestions!

Winter activities can get you outside and moving; walking and snowshoeing are easy starts. Additionally, skiing, snowboarding, tobogganing, and skating are all great ways to make use of the snow and cold weather while it’s here! I think that it’s all about perspective. If you can get out and genuinely find joy in the snow, winter will be wayyyy easier to get through.

Tip No. 2: Stay Warm

When it comes to embracing winter, staying warm certainly helps. Go get yourself some snow gear. I’m not talking about a thin pair of gloves and a windbreaker. In order to truly embrace and enjoy winter, you need to be able to stay warm. A good jacket is a non-negotiable, and you can never go wrong with snow pants. A thick hat is a must, as well as gloves/mitts. I will always recommend fingerless gloves/mittens, because they allow your fingers to stay warm with the heat of each other! I have a pair of mittens made from genuine deer hide, and up here in the north, they are a godsend. Something to cover the neck, like a scarf or balaclava, is also important, because that’s where I find that I get coldest the fastest. Last but not least, BOOTS! Good boots are imperative to staying warm. Once my toes are numb, it’s game over, back inside I go. Get yourself a pair of boots that will make walking bearable.

Tip No. 3: Find A Dang Hobby

Maybe this seems self-explanatory, maybe not. Finding a hobby will help you to pass the time on days when it feels impossible to get outside. I crochet a lot, which has been great for me, but I understand that it’s not for everyone. There are a lot of things that you can do to get you off of your phone and occupy your mind on slow days. Finding a hobby will fill your time and get you through tough days when it feels as though winter will never end. If you’re like me, you’ll have ab dozen hobbies and rotate through!

Just to name a couple I can think of: reading, cooking, learning an instrument, knitting/crocheting, jewelry making, crafting, woodworking, studying a new place, baking, sewing, indoor gardening, learning a new skill, etc. There are a lot of different things that you can do, and it’ll make a world of difference in managing the coldest days.

Tip No. 4: Plan Something

This kind of builds off of the hobbies thing, but I felt that it deserved a block of its own. Whether you plan a vacation, a date night, or even just a solo outing, giving yourself something to look forward to can help the days move a little bit faster. Sitting down and taking the time to plan something that’s going to be fun can help to lift spirits, inspire you to try something new, and simply pass the time. Not everyone has the budget to be planning a vacation, so that’s why I say even just single day outings/events.

I find that having something exciting or fun in my schedule helps me to feel like I’m not stuck in an endless loop of the same day on repeat. It’s important to change up the schedule a bit and give yourself that variety. On that note, it’s also imperative to socialize and spend time with friends. We are social beings! I do love a good solo date as well, though, where I can focus on me and enjoy myself without having to worry about anyone else. This takes initiative and maybe some creativity, but it’s a must at this time of year!

In Conclusion

I hope these tips were at least a little bit helpful, and if not, reading this post helped you to pass 5-6 minutes of your time. You’re welcome! In all seriousness, surviving winter is something people joke about, but it’s a real thing. We Northerners need to stay busy and distract our minds from the fact that we can’t see the grass for months on end. Winter isn’t going anywhere soon, so we need to make the most of it, while holding onto our sanity. In the next couple of posts I hope to start talking about various hiking trails around Lake Superior that will help you get out and connect with nature in 2026. Thanks for reading!