What Do You Do in the Winter?

One of the most common questions people ask when they find out about my remote lifestyle is… What do you do in the winter? 

This lifestyle does lend itself to a seasonal cycle of busy, action packed summers, and slower, dark winters. But we don’t hibernate. We still do normal things like everyone else. We still have to take care of our homes and family. Even more so with carrying wood to keep us warm and shoveling snow. Like everyone else we do our laundry, make things to eat, maintain relationships, and do all the things necessary to live. In this serene and peaceful valley, time does seem to move slower, especially in the winter months.

There are five main things I do during the colder season to fill my time. The first, and possibly the most obvious is school. I am still neck deep in school life. I am doing the running start program through a local community college. It takes a lot of time, I work on school related projects 5 days a week, at least 6 hours a day. I don’t think I would be normal if I said I loved school, but I am embracing this stage of life and endeavoring to enjoy it while it lasts. 

The second and most important thing I do is spending time with my family. Whether you are playing games, going on an adventure, or just having a meal together, spending time with your family and friends is important. It shows people you love them, and reduces stress and promotes your own welfare. 

The third thing I spend a lot of time doing in the off season is recreation. This valley, and the beautiful wilderness that surrounds me is a prime environment for being outdoors and interacting with nature. We ski, snowshoe, have snowball fights, build forts, hike, explore the woods, look for birds or animals. The possibilities are endless in this majestic oasis. Even just going for a walk in this beautiful valley will expose you to majestic sights, sounds, and smells. 

A fourth thing that fills my time is art. I love all kinds of art; writing, painting, drawing, music, crafts, baking, and cooking. I have several art hobbies such as watercolor, acrylic, and oil painting, drawing, baking, and I have slowly started picking up the guitar. Creating art, whether that is painting, or making music, is a great way to expand your knowledge, and connect with others, as well as a beneficial way to spend your time. 

The last things that I like to do when I don’t know what to do is take care of myself. Selfcare is a healthy and beneficial thing in moderation and when I am bored in the winter, it is a fun hobby. There are many ways you can relax or take care of yourself: face masks, hair masks, taking a bath, reading a book, taking a nap, or whatever relaxes you physically or mentally. Taking the time to consider and maintain your physical, mental, and spiritual health is very important, and can be kinda fun. 

The winter in this wild place is a time of rejuvenation and self-betterment. Though we do enjoy the ability to embrace the natural tendency to slow down during the winter, we still live like everyone else and don’t have to look far to find something to fill our time. Wherever you are, whether you live in a busy city, or share this wonderful lifestyle, I encourage you to find time to spend time with your family and participate in a hobby. The love you feel from spending time with loved ones, and the satisfaction of knowledge gained remains unmatched.

Thanks for reading!