Even if it's cold outside, you can make your own sunshine

Girl on bed with long socks, mug of coffee and biscuits
Yes, it’s very cold. It’s winter; that happens. (Apologies to my northern hemisphere readers – I’ll direct you back to this post in December.) Since it’s harder to fall in love with life when the days are grey and your fingers are blue, I thought I’d share some of the ways I like to warm myself up. Not physically – I’d like to think you have your heating sitch sorted (if not, call your dad; I can’t help you) – but from within. Basing your happiness levels on what’s happening outdoors is a risky play, but bringing pockets of joy into your own world no matter what the temperature is a pretty good foundation. It starts with the little things, and gratitude and joy flow from there. Even if it’s summer where you are, seeking out ways to break up the ‘work/eat/sleep/rinse and repeat’ routine can give you a fresh lease on life.
Here are some of my favourite winter warmers:

·         Cheese and crackers on the floor – just for yourself. I love doing this on a Friday night… putting on a DVD and sitting on the floor with a doona (non-Aussie friends: that’s a quilt). If I had enough clean sheets, I’d be making a fort. (Play is not just for children, you know.)
·         Buying new music. Music has the ability to take you someplace else. You can never have too much of it in your life. Get downloading (legally, obvs).
·         Wearing sexy undies under trackpants. Because, in case no one has told you this lately, you are really hot. Don’t forget that.
·         Rearrange the furniture in your room or your house. Make a wall montage by printing off a bunch of rad pictures from Pinterest, and interspersing them with snaps of your favourite people. If this isn’t a good reminder of what matters in life, I don’t know what is.
Cup of tea with camomile flowers

·         Drink new herbal teas. Never, ever underestimate the power of tea. I call it a hug in a mug, for good reason.
·         Candles. Burning a fragrant candle can completely change the energy of your house = instant mood lift. Remember to buy only soy or beeswax candles though – paraffin is toxic.
·         Book a holiday, and start planning it. Sometimes having something to look forward to is all it takes to break up a sense of routine.
·         Buy a luxe lifestyle magazine. Then sit and read it, from cover to cover. You guys remember what magazines are, right? I hope so.
·         Start a happiness jar, like Liz Gilbert. She swears by it.
·         Movement – in any form. Dance around your house. Go to a dance class. Go for a run. Getting your body moving will lift your endorphins.


Got any suggestions? Post to my Facebook page or my Instagram post.