|
We are about to enter a very rough time of the year. A time when our wake period exceeds the sun’s presence, when our car can’t seem to warm fast enough, and our skin becomes rough and dry. It is quite easy to fall into a perpetual state of what can only be described as stillness: numb to everything that faces us, as if our feelings--what make us human--wither away. I’ve been making a conscious effort to live more intentionally. I don’t want my daily rituals to become chores; this is the root of my happiness (and if I may assume, many of yours as well). I want this upcoming winter to be centered around the art of noticing things. In the summer, it’s easy to see how sunlight sifts through trees and how droplets of water linger on your water bottle. Winter holds similar beauty, but we are too depressed to notice. The loveliness of our lives carries through to winter; it is just quieter. Hence, to make winter less still and mundane, here’s a list of small (and I mean very small) things worth noticing and living for. I encourage you to add to this list. Write one down whenever you see it. apricity: this is a largely dead word that can be defined as the feeling of warmth in the winter, presumably from the sun, but that can be quite difficult to obtain. However, I encourage you to notice when the sun is beaming on a frigid January morning. Sometimes a window gets hot. Just feel it.
MUSIC: I always tell myself that if I don’t start my day with good music, I’m already losing. Wake up. Put your favorite song on and dance around. I don’t care how tired you are. window frost: the window near my bed develops the most beautifully configured ice during the winter. Each ridge and snowflake seems to be so intricately placed that I sometimes doubt nature does these things by accident (what a silly notion, I know). Study this as you would a piece of literature. But if you don’t care enough about this, it’s still a pretty sight. unique messiness: whether it be your closet, your room, your backpack, or even your phone, everything tells a story. Take note of what your disorganization says about you, what you value. It doesn’t have to be bad; my vanity is insanely messy because of how long it takes me to pick out my jewelry for the day (yet I somehow always end up wearing the same combo…) jumping: I truly cannot explain this. If you’re sad, hop around. It’ll revive you. Knowing that everything will pass: a cold? It’ll pass. A breakup? It’ll pass. Academic stress? It…might pass. Argument with a parent? It’ll pass.. It may take a day, it may take a month, but it will. cold room, warm bed: no explanation needed. We all know how great this feels. crunchy ice: besides the fact that it often causes people to slip down stairs or their porches, the sound of ice against your shoes is absolutely amazing. pretend you’re making ASMR every time you leave your house. squirrels: no matter the season, they always linger. just little babies looking for food. They are adorable. smiles: pay attention to what makes people happy. It’ll make you feel more human. giggle with them :) meals: curate your breakfast, lunch, and dinner like you do your clothing. satiate your body and your mind. Arrange the tomatoes in your omelet like a flower. yourself: the fact that you can breathe, wiggle your toes, and laugh is enough reason to live. |
