It's my third Canadian winter since moving back from Switzerland, and it's been a rough start!
Montreal is so blessed with the best weather in summer and fall, but when winter sets in, it's like an entirely different landscape and experience. Spontaneous park hangouts, long walks, and hanging out outside are replaced with...staying inside and waiting for it to be over.
Obviously, I do have to keep up with some level of activity or I'll go stir crazy, so I still commit to my yoga practice and get my butt to as many classes as possible. Have been trying to do more pilates to strengthen my core (winter project), and walk when it's not too cold.
I think the biggest challenge of winter, though, is not the change to my physical routine, but the emotional changes that hit when the sun starts going down earlier. Like clockwork each year, winter sucks my vitamin D reserves and makes me feel kinda gloomy. I know the call to action is to take this time to literally hibernate, be more introspective, slow down, do mental inventory of all life things and set my intentions and goals for the New Year. Winter doesn't last forever, though it feels like it will right now.
Here is a list that no one asked for of how I intend to survive winter in la belle province.
Winter Survival Kit: 2024/25
Write more. I literally wite all day, every day for work, but I want to tap into more creative writing and blogging again. My journal gets too much of me.
Yoga/Pilates. This is an obvious survival choice. Need to get that savasana and core work in.
More weight-training. I'm so not a gym bro, but I do wanna get stronger, so I'm gonna try to incorporate more strength training (at home or at a gym that I refuse to go to more than once a week.)
Do more fun winter activities. I don't love the cold or the snow, or anything about the winter experience, but I know the only way out is through. Went to the Laurentians last weekend with a friend and that was actually super fun. Will try to get back up there a few times over the season and also bring the kids skating etc.
Canadian core. Let myself rest/retreat. I guess I feel like I'm a homebody, but I do book up my schedule with quite a few out-of-the-house activities, so I do want to let myself slow down a bit more and have some relaxing movie/takeout nights.
Winter cleaning! I know, sounds so fun, right? Only I would add cleaning to a list of fun things to do. But for real, I do need to sort through all the papers/crafts/schoolwork the kids have brought back the first half of the year (spoiler alert: it's a fucking lot) and it's taking over my storage closet, so I need to get that under control. Also want to donate some of their clothes and toys to refugees and recently immigrated people in Quebec, cause for real, winter is hard for everyone and we have too much stuff.
Inner work. The healing journey is never done, and I've noticed I've fallen into some old patterns lately that affect my relationships, so I want to prioritize self-improvement again. I've been working with a relationship coach who is helping me address old stuff that I still carry with me into new relationships. Hoping this improves the way I show up in relationships and helps me solidify my own boundaries. Really trying to actively embodying the changes I have worked so hard to create in my life over the past years. It's so easy to get back on the hamster wheel of unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms, but I want to tap into my empowered, fierce, boss bitch energy again. I know what I am capable of, I know what I've survived, and I only want to keep rising up and creating the best possible life for myself and my kids.
Dream of spring/summer/vacation. Honestly, I need this to get me through the colder months. I feel like once December is over, it does get easier, although, January and February can be bruuuuutal in Montreal with snow/cold/ice etc. There's such a range of possibilities here for how bad it can get, so I think that is what is unsettling. Every week is a new adventure with possibilities that range from freezing rain, to -40, to slushy/messy grossness. It's important to remember that it won't always be cold AF. Going back to California in mid February, and that is keeping me from losing the plot right now.
That 4PM sunset hits different. Hits bad. Quality time with friends/family. This is huge. I am blessed with great friends and family that I can rely on when I'm feeling bla. Prioritizing going to shows with friends, going for coffee with mom, shopping with sis etc; are all important.
1 more week til winter solstice and the days will start to get longer again.
Ok,we got this. <3
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