GIVEAWAY! I packed up some extra February Color Club mail and would love to send you one! To win: just like this post & leave a comment :) A winner will be randomly selected!
If you are willing, please share a tip in the comments about making the best of times indoors, especially during winter. Do you have any solid advice?
This winter I got myself a new super warm coat (mine is from quince) and some cute snow boots from Sorel - they have changed my wintry life! So not actually advice for indoors, but making the most of what the outdoors still have to offer in the winter :)
This winter has been brutal! I've been passing the time by crafting (my favorite craft has been printing out ridiculous photos of my friends and making ShrinkyDinks out of them, then either presenting to them in person or sending them in the mail along with a fun homemade card); writing letters to my new PenPal; reading (Katabasis has me enraptured right now!); and doing tons of cooking and baking!
I’m very to-do list driven so for February I’ve made a list of new shows and movies I want to watch! I also have been playing my old favorite game, Mall Madness with my friends and family.
Love this article!!! My favorite winter tip is to almost always have a cozy, warm-scented candle burning when at home! Makes everything feel a little more magical and gives winter a super cozy vibe
Hi!!! My tip is journaling! I know it sounds so basic but I started avidly journaling and I was surprised how much I was able to actually process and reframe thoughts by putting pen to paper instead of being stuck in an echo chamber (ie my mind lol)
I like putting on whimsical fairy/fantasy music, wrap myself up in a big cozy blanket with a steaming cup of cinnamon-orange tea (which is my favorite flavor right now), and stare out of the window with my black lab, Blitz. Occasionally, I'll join her with barking at the crows outside if the moment calls for it.
So cool! I just did a deep, deep clean, bought a new candle, and made a giant vat of white bean chicken chili to make it through this latest cold spat!
I have been making hot chocolate every Sunday! Recently as well I have been playing around with the recipe ever since I ve learned about French style hot chocolate, trying to get it as close as I can with non dairy milks and creams and it has been really fun and a really good way to stretch my creative muscles.
I really enjoyed this newsletter! In winter, I use the “scatter” method to distribute hobbies, crafts, books, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles throughout the house so I don’t get bored. I get a different view from each item…jigsaw on dining room table, crosswords by the sofa, journal on my desk, felting project on the craft table in the basement. I leave these things out unless company is coming over. I love it and it works!
What helps me in the winter is warm, cozy lighting. Don’t try to force fake “brightness” with aggressive LED lighting. Enjoy the little daylight there is, and then enjoy the darkness by cozying it up with some twinkle lights, a warmer amber tone lightbulb in a lamp, a candle, etc. :)
I love how gentle and doable these suggestions feel.
When you don’t feel good, the nervous system really can’t hold big solutions, only small, kind ones. This list feels like permission to care for yourself softly.
I loved the way you describe winter drawing attention inward, toward slower rhythms, creativity, friendship, and small rituals that quietly sustain joy. There’s something deeply spiritual about that kind of “wintering,” learning to notice beauty in stillness rather than waiting for life to feel bright again. Much of my own writing explores that same shift — how ordinary moments, reflection, and love begin to look different when we see them as part of something larger than the present season alone. If anyone here enjoys reflections on time, meaning, and the quiet work of becoming, you’re warmly invited to continue the conversation at The Eternal Now: https://theeternalnowmm.substack.com/p/eternal-love?r=71z4jh
Getting obsessed with a new project has been keeping me sane this winter! Especially because this is my first winter away from home (Australia) so it’s summer for all my friends and family 😭! I challenged myself to make a sweater in less than a month and it was the best thing to focus on, helped me scroll less, something cozy to look forward to and an excuse to snuggle up, watch the olympics and knit! Highly recommend and the deadline helps if you’re a procrastinator 🫠
I’ve struggled with winter since I moved to NYC 4 years ago. This year I’ve romanticized the tiniest things: a 15 minute walk (or less) in the cold, picking up pastels for the first time ever and drawing when I feel sad and working out even if it’s just 10 minutes in my living room💗
One of my go tos for making the most of winter days is to cozy up with a big blanket and tea after a long day and write letters or get through my stack of books!
This is one of my favorite emails to receive!!! Curious if you could share more about the two player games? These are so tricky for me to find! Thanks :)
I've been enjoying reading a lot. Pausing and slowing down to read with a cup of tea by my side has felt wonderful. I also love the color combo of this week! love those two togetherrr!
Right now I’m sitting in my recliner under a blanket while a blizzard rages on outside. It’s really easy for me to hunker down but it’s not good for my mental health so it’s important for me to see people.
GIVEAWAY! I packed up some extra February Color Club mail and would love to send you one! To win: just like this post & leave a comment :) A winner will be randomly selected!
If you are willing, please share a tip in the comments about making the best of times indoors, especially during winter. Do you have any solid advice?
This winter I got myself a new super warm coat (mine is from quince) and some cute snow boots from Sorel - they have changed my wintry life! So not actually advice for indoors, but making the most of what the outdoors still have to offer in the winter :)
I’m a cozy hobby girl so winters are my fav! I sit down with a good audiobook/movie and crochet and knit and journal and sew to my hearts content
This winter has been brutal! I've been passing the time by crafting (my favorite craft has been printing out ridiculous photos of my friends and making ShrinkyDinks out of them, then either presenting to them in person or sending them in the mail along with a fun homemade card); writing letters to my new PenPal; reading (Katabasis has me enraptured right now!); and doing tons of cooking and baking!
I’m very to-do list driven so for February I’ve made a list of new shows and movies I want to watch! I also have been playing my old favorite game, Mall Madness with my friends and family.
I loved this, Jenna! Indoor things I love for winter (as a fellow northeast girl):
Puzzles!!
Having people over for tea
Making An Event out of watching the Olympics this year
Flowers
Friends!!!
Love this article!!! My favorite winter tip is to almost always have a cozy, warm-scented candle burning when at home! Makes everything feel a little more magical and gives winter a super cozy vibe
Hi!!! My tip is journaling! I know it sounds so basic but I started avidly journaling and I was surprised how much I was able to actually process and reframe thoughts by putting pen to paper instead of being stuck in an echo chamber (ie my mind lol)
It helps me to always have a water or some other hydrating drink on hand so I don’t get parched!
I like putting on whimsical fairy/fantasy music, wrap myself up in a big cozy blanket with a steaming cup of cinnamon-orange tea (which is my favorite flavor right now), and stare out of the window with my black lab, Blitz. Occasionally, I'll join her with barking at the crows outside if the moment calls for it.
So exciting!! I’m a HUGE fan of setting a mood with lamps and candles in the winter. Embrace the darkness a bit but make it cozy!
So cool! I just did a deep, deep clean, bought a new candle, and made a giant vat of white bean chicken chili to make it through this latest cold spat!
I have been making hot chocolate every Sunday! Recently as well I have been playing around with the recipe ever since I ve learned about French style hot chocolate, trying to get it as close as I can with non dairy milks and creams and it has been really fun and a really good way to stretch my creative muscles.
I really enjoyed this newsletter! In winter, I use the “scatter” method to distribute hobbies, crafts, books, crossword puzzles and jigsaw puzzles throughout the house so I don’t get bored. I get a different view from each item…jigsaw on dining room table, crosswords by the sofa, journal on my desk, felting project on the craft table in the basement. I leave these things out unless company is coming over. I love it and it works!
What helps me in the winter is warm, cozy lighting. Don’t try to force fake “brightness” with aggressive LED lighting. Enjoy the little daylight there is, and then enjoy the darkness by cozying it up with some twinkle lights, a warmer amber tone lightbulb in a lamp, a candle, etc. :)
I love how gentle and doable these suggestions feel.
When you don’t feel good, the nervous system really can’t hold big solutions, only small, kind ones. This list feels like permission to care for yourself softly.
I loved the way you describe winter drawing attention inward, toward slower rhythms, creativity, friendship, and small rituals that quietly sustain joy. There’s something deeply spiritual about that kind of “wintering,” learning to notice beauty in stillness rather than waiting for life to feel bright again. Much of my own writing explores that same shift — how ordinary moments, reflection, and love begin to look different when we see them as part of something larger than the present season alone. If anyone here enjoys reflections on time, meaning, and the quiet work of becoming, you’re warmly invited to continue the conversation at The Eternal Now: https://theeternalnowmm.substack.com/p/eternal-love?r=71z4jh
I have been trying to meet my friends for a bite too, and honestly it has now become the part of week I look forward to the most.
Getting obsessed with a new project has been keeping me sane this winter! Especially because this is my first winter away from home (Australia) so it’s summer for all my friends and family 😭! I challenged myself to make a sweater in less than a month and it was the best thing to focus on, helped me scroll less, something cozy to look forward to and an excuse to snuggle up, watch the olympics and knit! Highly recommend and the deadline helps if you’re a procrastinator 🫠
Love your work Jenna! 💕
I’ve struggled with winter since I moved to NYC 4 years ago. This year I’ve romanticized the tiniest things: a 15 minute walk (or less) in the cold, picking up pastels for the first time ever and drawing when I feel sad and working out even if it’s just 10 minutes in my living room💗
One of my go tos for making the most of winter days is to cozy up with a big blanket and tea after a long day and write letters or get through my stack of books!
This is one of my favorite emails to receive!!! Curious if you could share more about the two player games? These are so tricky for me to find! Thanks :)
I’m so happy to hear that! We play Rummikub. And I found this new game called Snakes of Wrath that is really fun and beautifully designed!
We’ve been having friends over for dinner every other Sunday and it’s been so nice to plan the menu, have folks come, and eat and play games together.
After getting dumped with 20 inches of snow - this newsletter has brought the biggest smile to my face as it always does. xx
I've been enjoying reading a lot. Pausing and slowing down to read with a cup of tea by my side has felt wonderful. I also love the color combo of this week! love those two togetherrr!
Right now I’m sitting in my recliner under a blanket while a blizzard rages on outside. It’s really easy for me to hunker down but it’s not good for my mental health so it’s important for me to see people.
Always such a fun thing to find in my inbox!