Traditionally, when the seasons have changed from crisp autumn to freezing winter, I am the first person to complain. I usually find the dip in temperature to be too severe, and I don’t function well in the cold. This often means that I spend the winter months inside, hibernating, counting down the days until summer, when I can enjoy being outside again. So, why am I maybe changing my mind? Why is winter the best season?

Over the past two years, I have been in Portugal for most, if not all, of the winter, where the weather has been sunny and warm with only a few full days of rain. In fact, as late as two months ago, I only needed to wear a thin sweater as I enjoyed a seafood lunch on a patio right up until I flew back to Toronto. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? It was very nice; however, I noticed something that surprised me.

Have you ever missed the cold?

While I was overseas, I started to feel as though I was out of step with what felt natural to me. I was reluctant to admit it, but my body and my mind was used to experiencing four seasons, each in sharp contrast to one another. So while I hung up my winter jacket and kicked off my winter boots because I was overheating, I found it strange to not need to wear these winter items.

It wasn’t until December 1st last year, the day after I arrived in Toronto, when I had to rush out in the early morning, that I realized how invigorated I felt in the cold. I even messaged a friend of mine and said, “I can’t believe it, but I missed the cold.” Knowing me well, they replied, “That won’t last.”

Well, it’s lasted this entire winter. Yes, it’s milder than usual, but even with this mild winter I find myself not being as excited as most are to welcome spring. It doesn’t feel like it’s time to see buds on trees. I need to wear my mittens and enjoy hot beverages. In essence, I feel like I need to hibernate a little longer.

Why is winter the best season? Hygge

This year, I learned the definition of Hygge, which is a concept largely attributed to the Danish community. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is defined as, “A cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable.” If you look further into the meaning of hygge, you’ll find that it encompasses more than simply being cozy: it’s about togetherness, comfort, and enjoying the simple things. Winter is the time for hygge.

How to enjoy winter

There are plenty of cozy things to do during the winter months that will let you rest your body and your mind so you can emerge later, recharged and ready to go back out into the world.

These are a few of the cozy things I’ve come to appreciate this winter:

Relax in front of a fireplace

Who doesn’t love cozy nights by the fire? If you don’t have one in your home, you can always put on ambient fireplaces on your TV or computer.

Indulge in some hot chocolate

When I was little, my sister and I would go ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square in downtown Toronto. When they needed to clean the ice, me and my sister would take a break and wait in line at the snack bar – in the freezing cold – and she’d buy me a hot chocolate. Even though it wasn’t fancy, it felt decadent. My ice-cold fingers would wrap around the styrofoam cup and I’d taste the piping hot chocolate and be so incredibly grateful to be warming up.

Wear reading socks

I love to read and to be comfortable doing so. One of my favourite things to do when at home is to put on lounge wear, a warm pair of reading socks, have a cup of tea, and read.

Eat your favourite pastry – mine is my mom’s filhoses

These Portuguese pastries aren’t very popular, but my mom has always made them during Christmas, and if we were lucky, she’d make them again for New Year’s Eve. They are labour intensive, so I have always truly appreciate my mom’s efforts. If you ever get a chance to try these, do so. They are best served hot and with a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon.

Do you have any favourite things to do during the winter? Share them in the comments below.

-Marilyn