Just this week I really started to get spring fever. Anyone else? The house feels so dark and the days are still so short! A mid-winter slump can be hard to get out of if you don’t live in a summery climate. (Well, I suppose it would be a lot easier if I could jump on a plane to Hawaii about now!)
Fortunately there are some simple things we can do to feel a bit more inspired and happy at home. Even if your front yard is still buried in snow and there’s not a tulip in sight, take heart! Spring is on its way, I’m sure of it.
Meanwhile, here are five practical tips to create a happier winter home.
1. Gather together.
What could be better for boosting spirits than connecting with others around the table? There is something so comforting about being in a cozy kitchen on a chilly winter evening cooking up a hot and healthy meal for your family. Cooking good food will make you feel warmer inside, even when it is freezing outside. Nourishing your family will boost everyone’s mood and health.
Who doesn’t love a hot bowl of soup on a chilly night? Use a meal as an opportunity for connection. Gather your family around the table. Even if you live alone, invite friends or neighbors to join you. Your invitation might really boost someone else’s spirits, right along with your own.
2. Offer yourself a change of scenery.
Even if you are unable to head out on a vacation to boost your mood, give yourself a change of scenery in your own home. Even simple changes around the house can feel so invigorating this time of year. Take the Christmas decorations down if you haven’t already so your home will feel refreshed and ready for the new season. If your house feels too empty, try rearranging the furniture or accessories for a new view. Open your blinds when you are at home during the day to let in more light and give you a glimpse of spring the moment it arrives.
3. Add in some organic touches.
While we’re waiting for spring, our surroundings can feel exceptionally dreary and lifeless. Bring organic elements to your home for inspiration. Set out a bowl of brightly colored fruit or vegetables to add a splash of lively color. Make a weekly trip to local farmer’s markets to bring home a spring bouquet. Hang a driftwood wreath on your wall or add a new plant to bring a sense of new life to your home. Layer your beds and furniture with cozy textures so they’ll feel extra inviting!
4. Make more room for joy.
To truly find comfort in our home, we need to have room to breathe. Less stuff brings the opportunity to find and share more joy. Excessive things in a space crowd out what really matters, so we must intentionally make room around us in order to feel more alive and happy. Use these winter days to clear out clutter. Start with a manageable goal, perhaps to open your clothes closet and feel joy rather than stress. Find more joy in giving than keeping.
5. Disconnect to reconnect.
An online community can be a wonderful opportunity to grow a friendship circle, but too much connecting online can start to create disconnection from God or even chaos at home. If we crave being overly connected online in the winter months, we are less able to be fully present elsewhere.
>Start the day with quiet time away from the computer to meet with the Lord. Open up your Bible. Pray. Journal. Listen to worship music. Be still.
>Set aside a block of time each day to be intentionally disconnected and fully in the moment with your family.
>If you struggle with productivity or fatigue this time of year, it can help to shut down the computer and your phone in order to focus on a task or creative activity. Staying connected online can leave you feeling drained, so that focused time away will do wonders for both your productivity and mood!
What are some other ways we can perk up the winter mood around the house? Let’s encourage each other! Spring is coming!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Melissa @ The Inspired Room
Leave a Comment
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Melissa,
I’m really working on #4 – getting rid of the clutter. On gray cloudy days my house can seem like it’s closing in on me and the more stuff and clutter that is around, the worse it is. Taking one chunk…even one drawer at a time and cleaning it out and getting rid of the over-accumulation of stuff I have can be refreshing and invigorating. I kind of have to force myself to do it, but the payoff is worth it. I also need to shut off the social media more and if I find a few spare moments…spend it with God and a cup of coffee. I don’t even need to be reading scripture or praying, but just sitting and being in His presence and being open to what He might want to say to me. Maybe He just wants me to sit in His love for me. Thanks for the needed reminders.
Blessings,
Bev
Jen says
Thanks Bev! Me too, decluttering and staying off computer more. Making time with God, being intentional. Blessings!
Melissa Michaels says
Yes! I love the inspiration for just sitting in HIs love. Thank you for sharing, Bev.
Linda says
I start my deep cleaning in January. I remind myself that when it starts getting warmer I will want to be outside soaking up the sunshine.
That helps me to do something useful now.
Melissa Michaels says
Thank you, Linda. I am so excited for the sunshine! 😀
Beth says
Great ideas here for lifting our spirits and sprucing up our home atmosphere…I love it! Thanks for sharing!
Naomi Fata says
Love your suggestions. Indefinitely struggle to keep my spirits up in the winter!
I also love to use the time indoors to listen to music or encouraging podcasts.
Melissa Michaels says
Oh yes, music is so uplifting especially this time of year when we are feeling winter closing in on us! Thank you, Naomi.
Jayne Smith says
Thank you for sharing the reminders!
Sharon says
This is so timely dear woman! My scrapbooks are calling and every winter I push to do a child.. on my last child now, ( note :this baby is 33 years old with 3 of my 11 grandchildren 😉 my generation took photos.. We store boxes of them. I refuse to go to heaven and leave the kids my mess.. That’s what encourages me now. Yes spring is beautiful here in NC and summer can be hot ! Even hottest days I can scrapbook and now 11 grandchildren will be organized as 5 family books in order to finish … One day! Joy and hours pass as I organize them and pray for them and thank God over all those happy faces and memories;)) happy Monday y’all
Teresa says
I would love to start scrapbooking, but have no idea where or how to begin. I have 8 grands of my own, with boxes and boxes of photos. Any advice for this Grammy?
Melissa Michaels says
I love this idea, Sharon! My own albums have sat for so long, you’ve inspired me to bring them out again! 🙂 Wonderful way to spend a winter day.
Afton Rorvik says
After I took my Christmas decorations down this year, I decorated with a few beach items. Seems silly in January, but it makes me smile. When guests come over, they smile too.
I’ve also been doing a Gratitude coloring journal every morning as I pray: https://www.amazon.com/Gratitude-Prayer-Praise-Coloring-Journal/dp/1496415795. What a great way to set my perspective for the day and have a little fun too.
Carol Ann says
We clip branches of forsythia and force them. Our first batch is fully open.
Change the water daily.
Rebecca L Jones says
I love this article. Even though winter isn’t closing me in in Ga. We had days over 70 degrees in January and I was wearing shorts. I was glad to get out and enjoy the sunlight and just let it be warm on my back, I even go out and look at the stars, anything to beat the cabin fever. I love reaching out the internet, but alas, I need to declutter too.
Beth Williams says
Melissa,
Great ideas. I do #4 a lot. Every so often I go through my clothes, other items & see what I can get rid of. I can’t stand clutter and a lot of stuff. Enjoy letting others use/have these items I’m no longer using. #5 is so easy for me. I am not much on social media. I do Facebook some, read emails and that is it. Only really look at Facebook to see updates on friends’ accidents, & check out family news. Mostly I listen to preachers, Christian comedy & Christian music.
Blessings 🙂
Mattias says
Yes blessings from Sweden. Here in Sweden we also have this spring feeling outside. Its a wonderful weather with a blue sky and the birds are singing. The ground is covered with white snow which makes it even lighter..
cammie says
This is great, #5 really resonates with me!