An Alaskan's Guide to Toughing Out the Rest of Winter

We’ve come to that dreaded time of year here in Juneau, Alaska. Christmas and New Years are both long past, as well as the excitement and joy that come with them. The snow that seemed absolutely magical in December is now cold, icey and devoid of excitement. It’s dark, wet, and it won’t be getting much better until the end of April. What is one to do? In case you’re suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), or just got a case of the winter blues and (like me) are longing for spring - here is a list of ways I combat Alaska’s long, dark winter months:

1.) Light - I have lamps and candles all over Blueberry Barn! Soft lighting makes me feel relaxed and the flicker of candles or oil lamps is such a nice soothing way to light your home. I would so much rather have lamps and candles burning than have my overhead lights on! It can also be very romantic having soft lighting, and it helps disguise a messy home or dirty floors (just kidding!).

A lot of Alaskans (including my father-in-law) live for their ‘Happy Lights’ - lamps that mimic the sun and help reduce the effects of SAD. Earlier this winter, Quinn and I would wake up every morning and shuffle down the stairs only to turn the corner into the kitchen to be blinded by dad’s happy light! He often practices his guitar in the morning in a certain spot, and he would point the happy light right at himself (and right out the window, across the yard and into our kitchen!). After a while we finally had to ask him to turn it away from the window, it was such a shocking way to wake up every morning, haha! 

2.) Pretty Decorations - I don’t know about your house, but Blueberry Barn looks rather plain once all the glittering Christmas decorations are taken down and put away. The way my home looks has a big impact on me - if things are messy I find it hard to create, and likewise if things are orderly and neat I feel at ease and ready to be inspired! Since you’ll be spending a lot of time inside over the winter, it’s so important to keep your home cozy and a haven of rest for yourself and those you love.

So after all the pretty Christmas bobbles are tucked safely away, it’s nice to decorate the Barn in a way to excite me and bring me joy. Often times that means bringing out the Valentine’s Day things a bit early, or perhaps putting up some brightly colored spring decor! Bright and cheerful things are best since it’s still dark out the window and the world appears to be an old black and white photograph.

3.) Cozy Cooking - It’s safe to say winter is the best time of year to make soups, stews, and baked goods. Not only will your tummy be happy, but your house will smell amazing, making it even cozier. In winter it’s even harder for me to make sure I’m getting the exercise I need (no summer hikes to keep me in tip-top shape!), so healthy soups are my favorite go-to meal - bonus points if the recipe uses my crock-pot (then the Barn smells wonderful all day long!).

Cookies are also a fun easy way to brighten up a dark day - just make sure you’re not baking them every day. I like to make a batch of cookie dough, bake a pan, and leave the rest of the dough in the  fridge or freezer until the next time I feel the need for a cookie with my tea (or perhaps when an unexpected friend comes over). A cookie is always a welcome treat, but a cookie straight out of the oven is perfection!

4.) Start a Ritual - Instead of sitting on the couch all evening and binge watching a show, why not think of a better way to spend your time? Something you can look forward to everyday! Perhaps you could have a cup of tea to relax as soon as you get home from work. Maybe you create a fun before-bed routine where you put on your favorite jammies and use a face-mask! Oh perhaps it's sitting quietly in a cozy corner and reading your Bible or spending some time in prayer. It doesn't have to be everyday, but it should be often enough that you look forward to it and have a set time to do it.

For me, a favorite ritual is checking the mailbox when I get home from work. It's so fun to see what little parcel or letter has been tucked inside, and its such a fun time reading news from friends far away. Likewise, the time I spend writing letters to friends is so peaceful, and it fills me with a quiet joy I miss when I'm too busy to sit at my little desk. With how busy our world is it's so precious to have moments of peacefulness in our lives. I hope you carve out a time and space to do this for yourself!

5.) Get Outside! - We have a saying here in Juneau - "If you wait for the weather to be nice, you'll never get out at all." How true it is! Juneau gets on average 71 inches of rain and 80 inches of snow per year. If you wait to take that walk or go on that run you'll be spending all your time shut up inside. It's so important - especially when it's dark for most of the day - to get outside when there's a little bit of light.

I try to take Greta out on a walk at least once a day - not only does she like it, but I benefit from being out of the house! This has been hard as both Quinn and I are working this winter, but even still we try to get outside. When it's dark when we get home we'll go on 'lantern walks' - we'll go below the Barn to the tidal flats, a place we know very well, with kerosene lanterns! It's a fun and magical way to get outside even if the sunset has passed us by.

6.) Plan for Spring - I promise even though it seems far away, it will be here before you know it. If you are hoping to plant a garden, now is the time to begin preparing! Starting seedlings, planning out flower beds, buying seeds - all wonderful ways to keep your mind off of the cold ice creeping up your windowpanes. Or perhaps you have some other project planned for spring, like a party to plan or a special place you hope to visit. It's never too early to make a spring bucket list!

I enjoy looking back through my garden journal for inspiration (this year will be the third year I'm recording!). It's fun to see all the photos from spring and summer! They help to remind me that warmer days are ahead.

7.) Hobbies - It's true, some days it's just too cold and stormy to venture beyond the front door (no matter how many coats and scarves you put on). Those days are the perfect opportunity to work on some fun hobbies - or maybe start a new one. I am always busy during the summer being outside as much as possible, so these long winter days are perfect for sewing, writing, reading, and crafting.

What sorts of hobbies do you have, Friend? I often find myself behind my sewing machine or in a comfy chair with a good book. The only thing is (with the whole day being dark), I find myself accidentally staying up too late working on a project, or reading too long! "I thought for sure it was only nine! How can it be so late already?" Are you the same way? Once I start something and I'm working well at it...time seems to fly on by!

8.) Enjoy the Moment - Even though it seems to drag on, winter isn't here to stay so we need to remember to enjoy it! It's always nice to look toward the future and dream, but don't forget to find peace and contentment in the present. Winter has it's own magic - even after the sparkle from the holidays has worn off - and I hope you, Dear Friend, find that magic today!

I wish you a long, cozy winter Dear Friend!