I know the last thing we want to think about right now is winter and the seasonal depression that comes along with it. Sunshine is limited and it's too cold, slushy, and snowy for any outdoor activities like hiking and walking. I specifically struggle during the winter because I can't hike, which is my favorite hobby.
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This year, instead of going into winter without a plan and hoping for the best, I've been slowly putting together a winter care package for myself! I'm planning indoor dates with my boyfriend, indoor solo dates for myself, and hobbies to enjoy this winter like reading, painting, and coloring.
Putting together a care package for myself has been an excellent practice in self-care. I've been slowly picking up gifts and activities for myself during the summer, and it's made me value myself more. We're so quick to put together a care package for people we love, and often forget to include ourselves on that list.
Below is what I've gathered so far for my winter self-care package, and some extra ideas for cozy indoor activities you can plan for yourself!
Build a LEGO set, either by yourself or with a friend/significant other. This is the first year that I've tried building LEGO sets. I didn't realize how many cute, witchy LEGO sets were out there! Even though I don't play Minecraft, I picked up the LEGO Minecraft Mushroom House set and had so much fun building it! Even the cows are mushrooms! They're MOOshrooms. It's adorable.
Other cute, witchy LEGO sets include the LEGO Minecraft Pumpkin Farm, LEGO Creator Mystic Witch, and LEGO Halloween Owl. And while a lot of LEGO sets can be ridiculously expensive, all 4 that I've listed here are under $50. While I would love to collect and build all the Harry Potter LEGO sets, this year my budget is more in line with these cute witchy LEGO sets.
Put together a puzzle while you listen to a podcast or an audiobook. This is going to be the perfect activity for a snowed-in weekend! I found some very cool cryptid puzzles on Amazon called the Legends of the National Parks. They have Bigfoot, the Wendigo, and the Chupacabra!
No matter what your interest is, there's a puzzle out there for it. If cryptids aren't your vibe, there are puzzles with vintage National Park posters, cozy log cabins, and other cottagecore ideas!
Try painting this winter, whether it's acrylic paints, watercolor, or a paint-by-numbers set. Painting is a super relaxing and cozy hobby to try this winter. And if you're worried you're not creative enough to think of anything to paint, there are TONS of paint-by-numbers sets you can try!
Try an adult coloring book this winter! If you would rather get creative with colored pencils instead of paint, there are coloring books for every interest online.
Plan to bake something on a cold winter day! There are multiple baking kits you can buy now that will still be good when you pull one out on a boring winter day, like this Focaccia Art Kit!
Include some bath bombs and face masks to relax when the winter blues are feeling extra heavy. In my opinion, no care package is complete with bath bombs. Finding activities to do in the winter is important, but treating yourself to a relaxing bath is important too!
Instead of letting seasonal depression get to you this year, go into winter prepared with some cozy hobbies to fill the cold, dark days. Whether it's building a LEGO set, painting, baking, coloring, building a puzzle, (or in my case, all 5), be sure to treat yourself to something from this list!
Plan some activities for yourself and your friends/family before winter hits!