In most parts of the country, the winter months bring cold weather and short, dark days, which can make the months until spring feel just a little dreary. In fact, we recently had what is called "Blue Monday"—or the most depressing day of the year (it's the third Monday in January, in case you're wondering).
Luckily, if you really think through what you want to accomplish during the winter season, you may find that these cold, dark months aren't so bad after all. Get inspired with these 12 winter goal ideas.
12 Winter Goals
1. Figure out your budget
Budgeting isn't exactly a thrilling task, and it can be a bit anxiety-inducing, too. But setting a goal to figure out a budget will save you a lot of time (and money) in the long run, so get out that spreadsheet and start crunching the numbers. If you need some guidance, check out the app You Need a Budget. And of course, we always recommend making use of the Silk + Sonder expense tracker!
2. Make meal prepping a priority
Whether you find yourself constantly scrambling as you try to figure out what's for dinner, you want to stop buying $12 salads for lunch, or you simply want to eat healthier, a little meal prepping once a week can go a long way. If you don't know where to start with meal prepping, check out the subscription service Workweek Lunch, which has tons of amazing recipe ideas.
Meal prepping can save you a lot of time and money.
3. Get started with a new fitness routine
We know, we know—you probably don't want to do an outdoor workout when it's freezing out. But hear us out: You don't have to! During the pandemic, tons of workout options became available on YouTube, and via different subscription services. So whether you want to spend the winter doing dance cardio, yoga, or HIIT, trust us: The internet holds a wealth of great options for you. And if you do feel like venturing outside to get your heartrate up, hey, more power to you!
4. Spend more time with loved ones
In our increasingly digital world, we often lose sight of the value of face-to-face contact with friends and family. While we are technically still in a pandemic, this is the first year that things feel more under control—for now, at least!—which makes seeing people in person feel a lot less scary. So plan dinner parties, set lunch and coffee dates, and start spending more quality time with loved ones.
Prioritize time with friends and family.
5. Do that thing you've been thinking about doing
We all have that one thing we think or talk about doing someday. And guess what? There's no time like the present. Start writing that novel, go on that solo trip (to a warmer destination, preferably), start that home renovation ... the sky's the limit!
6. Learn something new
The quiet nature of the winter month make them a perfect time to focus on learning something new, whether it's a new language, a new skill like pottery or knitting, or anything else.
Use the cold winter months to learn a new skill.
7. Make a winter bucket list
While plenty of people dread winter, making a fun winter bucket list might actually help you look forward to it. You can pack this list with activities like having a movie night, taking a winter hike (if you dare), taking a cooking class, going on a weekend getaway, or anything else you can dream up.
8. Dive headfirst into self-care
Winter is an excellent time to prioritize—or re-prioritize—self-care, if you've lost sight of it. So spend some time thinking about how you can carve out time to make self-care a priority this winter, and the figure out what activities you'll pursue: Regular bubble baths with a glass of red wine and a good book can certainly be on the list, but so can winter walks with your best friend.
A little self-care can go a long way.
9. Make a lot of soup
If you're like most people, "get healthier" probably tops your New Year's Resolution list every year. Well, most soups are packed with veggies, making them one of the healthiest foods ever. They're also incredibly cozy, nourishing, and delicious, which is why we we so strongly recommend adding "make a lot of soup" to your winter goals list. If. you don't know where to start, check out this list of 71 homemade soup recipes.
10. Journal
If you don't have a journaling practice in place, winter is a great time to get started. Whether you're free-writing, dream journaling, or writing in a bullet journal, we guarantee that there's a journaling technique out there that will resonate with you. If you're struggling to find inspiration, check out this list of 13 journaling techniques, and choose your favorite.
Start journaling this winter.
11. Pick a number of books to read
It's hard to argue with the fact that winter is an excellent season for reading. Without the pull to go outside and the irresistible urge to curl up with a fuzzy blanket, a cup of tea and a sweet-smelling candle, giving yourself a "reading quota" for winter can be a great way to get through some of those novels that have been sitting on your shelf. Need accountability? Consider setting up a Goodreads account.
12. Make sure to get enough vitamin D
Last but certainly not least, make sure you're getting enough vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin. It's not always easy to get in the winter, but spending a few minutes outside every day, taking a vitamin D supplement (or both) can help keep your bones strong and your spirits high.
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