How to Survive Cabin Fever
source: google images
It’s winter, winter everywhere, and not an ice scraper to spare! The six day work weeks have begun for me, and no matter what my shift is, it seems I’m going to work when it’s dark, and it’s really dark when I leave.
So, I’m getting cabin fever.
Here are the rules and realities that I’ve come to believe in for surviving the perpetual darkness of the winter season:
- Crazy colored, fuzzy socks are a must! It’s true, especially if you’re boyfriend won’t turn the heat up anymore. Big, fuzzy, warm socks are a godsend after 9 hours on the sales floor.
- So is an eclectic mug collection. I’m too lazy and a wimp to brave the cold and see my favorite coffee shops, so I save time and money with our Keurig single cup coffee maker. I’m well stocked on apple cider, cafe’ mochas, espresso, and a variety of bold blends. Pick your mug for fun: the flamingo? the New Orleans cafe’ du monde mug? one of the maple leaves set?
- If it’s dark all the time, it means it’s the “night life” all the time! Wanna know what I’m doing for fun this holiday season? I have SOOOOO many cosmetics (Hello, I work at the mall and manage that department!) that I’m going to wear each and every one of my eye shadows until I’ve gone through them all! Today I wore Turquoise Sands! Doesn’t that sound like I do in fact have a life? I said sounds like! Stop that snickering!
- Stay indoors. Watch The Vampire Diaries. I will leave the house, a drastic and bold move (if I plan, I just go right after work) to venture to the library and stock up on whole seasons of TV. I’m currently rewatching Season 1 of The Vampire Diaries since it’s newest season is on that ridiculous thing the networks call “midseason finale”. How garish!
- Household chores gettin’ ya down, throw in an audio book! I’m trying to madly finish up a few titles on my To Be Read list for 2011, so I’ve been double-tasking by getting ready in the morning to an audio book. I can also listen while cooking, cleaning my room, or wrapping presents.
- Become a Sports Fan. Nothing like a fan club that requires sitting in front of the TV, snack food, and obscene amounts of cheering. Looking for a team to root for? *brushes shoulders* Might I suggest the ol’ Green and Gold, 14-0, Titletown Champs Green Bay Packers?! Alright, alright!
- Write in a journal. Start a journal. Now more than ever, keeping a gratitude journal has been important to me. The long hours and days at work and little free time makes it important to spend that time in a meaningful way and be grateful for the little things like taco dip, vampire TV, and Aveeno creamy moisturizing hand lotion (OMG – this cold weather on my skin! Grrr!)
- If you can’t hibernate, have a party! The holidays should be a time for friends and family. Spend your days with those you love indulging in laughter and creating new memories. What will I remember about this holiday season so far? My toddler niece telling me on the phone “I found Coco the Elf, he’s down the hall!”
How are you handling Cabin Fever this winter?
Guilty Good Reading: A Mash-up of Awesome
Happy late Thanksgiving everyone! Getting my post up a bit later today since I just finished working a 12 1/2 hour day in retail. *phew* Guilty Pleasure Friday will be back again in two weeks, but for now, I leave you with my favorite reads from the prior week!
On Writing:
Alica McKenna Johnson guest blogged at Myndi Shafer’s with great writing advice about how to add more diversity to your writing. She’s honest and open about the tips she uses to write characters from different countries and ethnicities. Check out her guest post Don’t Bleach and Iron Your Work.
On Reading:
Jillian, a literary student who blogs at A Room of One’s Own, informed me of The 2012 To Be Read Pile Challenge! For all you bookworms with that evergrowing list of books to get to, take this challenge along with me and see yourself accomplish some great books you’ve never given yourself the time to get through. The only real catch is they need to be at least a year old in publication. I’ll be posting my list and hope you’ll share your own!
Thanksgiving is still in season and August McLaughlin shared the Books I’m Crazy Grateful For and sparked a fun conversation in her comments. Share your own books that shaped your life and made you grateful you’d read them!
Tim L. O’Brien posted an awesome blog about Why Books are Important. This is part three in his series and focuses on getting kids to read. He’s got smart advice and an awesome link to a site where you can check out the perfect titles for your kid of any age to read and have them glued to the page rather than to the screen.
On Women:
If you don’t regularly follow the Life List Club blog hop every other friday, you missed an inspiring post by fellow co-founder, Marcia Richards all about long distance swimmer Diana Nyad. She’s a courageous woman who will inspire us all to do our own Xtreme Dream challenges. So after you’ve read Marcia’s post, check out Diana’s own blog about her recovery process from her attempted swim from Cuba to the Florida Keys after being attacked by box jellyfish.
What’s in a Name…:
If you haven’t been following Nina Badzin’s baby naming debacles, you’ve been missing out. She recaps the long nine month journey and also reveals her newest addition’s long awaited, and well thought out, name in Finally, His Name.
Because Humor is Necessary During the Holidays:
I love Sara Grambusch’s blog. She’s got the spunky and self-deprecating humor that I adore in a person, and she also provides delicious healthy recipes. In this post, Household Things I Do Wrong, she recounts the number of times she’s unsuccessfully mastered the art of housework. Let’s all pray she and I never become roommates; angels will weep for society.
The Good Greatsby will have you stitches with his headlines: Starbucks Announces: Come for Joe not John. Must read for coffee drinkers and users of public bathrooms everywhere!
Jenny Hansen serves up More Cowbell when she asks Is Adulthood Stealing Some of Your “Grooviness?” Dance parties are a known reaction to Jenny’s posts; you’ve been warned.
Charles Gulotta relives his edible memoirs in his entertaining tale toward intelligence; he calls it Chew on This.
Enjoy your weekend! See you all again Monday!
Jess Witkins' Happiness Project 