Blue Monday, Grey Tuesday: What to do when you're stuck indoors in January

According to the news, yesterday was the “most depressing day of the year”. The first Monday of January is apparently so depressing it is actually called Blue Monday… and I have to say I believe it! The holiday season is over, credit card bills are coming, the weather sucks, family is gone and the house feels empty. I too felt down and out all day; I didn’t feel ready to be back at work, I found out my yoga studio doesn’t start up for another week, it was too cold to do anything and the temperatures were (and still are) dropping rapidly towards a “flash freeze”. December brought some pretty crazy weather to Canada and the US… blizzards, freezing rain, hail, snow, snow and more snow. Luckily, I was able to escape the deep freeze for seven blissful days in the sand and sun in Cuba (if you still have an up-coming trip check out my packing list for some helpful suggestions!). This past weekend I was at an “after-holiday party” showing off my tan and sharing stories when one particularly surly woman said would never go South in December; according to her it makes the winter feel that much longer. And hey, I can see her point, but while going from +30 to -30 in a matter of hours was quite shocking and the thought of several more months cold and dreary weather is not appealing I don’t think I’d ever say no to a vacation.  And, we do live in Canada. We kind of agree to being cold by living here…. November through March is always going to be total shit so I think I’d rather it be fluffy and white outside my window that that awful brownish grey slush colour.

Source: weheartit

When I’m feeling blue, or any other depressing shade (maybe I’ll call today Grey Tuesday), I like to have things to look forward to. In that spirit I am going to list some lovely things we can all enjoy this winter when its just too cold to go outside! There’s nothing I like better than accomplishing things and crossing them off a list. Have any ideas? Comment or tweet us @jemcolborne!

1.) Re-read the Harry Potter series and then re-watch the movies. I’m working my way through them now and I have to say it’s very satisfying!

2.) Read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings and watch the movies. I have read The Hobbit but never LOTR... its a travesty, trust me, I know. 

3.) Re-watch LOST. Seriously, it just keeps getting better.

Who's your constant?
Source: weheartit

4.) Re-watch Downton Abbey 1, 2 & 3 in preparation for Season 4 which premiered in Canada January 5!

5.) Find a new blog to follow. There are some amazingly resourceful blogs out there from raising chickens to make-up application I swear you kind find a great blog on any topic.

6.) Make a memory jar. Found this online and its an adorable idea!

Source: wehearit

7.) Complete some of the DIYs you’ve pinned to your boards. Seriously, how many have you actually completed?

8.) Buy yourself some fancy hot chocolate. I bought myself some peppermint Silly Cow… I love that its all natural, made in Canada AND is in an eco-friendly glass bottle!

Source: Silly Cow

9.) Learn to knit. Its trending now and is a valuable skill to have. I received a scarf and hat from my boyfriends grandmother for xmas and its my most treasured gift!

10.) Bake something new. Enough chocolate chip cookies and banana muffins already! Search Pinterest for a new recipe this winter and make yourself an expert at it. Personally, I want to learn to whip up biscuits apparently they're easy!

Okay, that's a little extreme.
Source: weheartit

11.) Organize your closet. I have the beginnings of a great system in my closet with all the baskets, hooks and shoe racks a person could want but for some reason it's still a complete mess!

12.) Play hide and seek with your pup. Hide treats around the room and let your dog "forage" for food. Its supposed to play into their natural instincts and gives them something to focus on instead of being bored and stuck inside!

13.) Indulge in some high end loose leaf tea. Ditch the Tetley for the three long months of tea sipping that are still ahead of us.

Perfection.
Source: weheartit

14.) Journal. It's supposed to be great for your creativity and mental health. If you're more of a tech wizard start a blog!

15.) Read non-fiction. I am going to read a yoga book first and I'm also interested in looking into some nutrition books.

16.) Read a classic. Preferably an Austen or Bronte. They just suit winter.

17.) Print your photos. How long have you been meaning to get your vacation photos into an album?

18.) Paint. Its relaxing and lets you get a little messy whether you like impressionism or splatter paint its definitely an excellent way to spend time indoors.

There is an endless list of things to do inside this winter and this is just a start. Bundle up and drink tea everyone!

The 10 Best Literary Christmas Quotations (According to Us)

There is nothing better than reading about Christmas in your favourite literature! A truly good book can get you in the mood for December even on a sunny August afternoon. So sit back, relax and take in my list of the ten best literary chrsitmas quotes. Don't agree? Repond with your favourite quotations in the comments!

Source: We Heart It

A special thank you to Goodreads and Google which made compiling this list of quotations ridiculously easy on this snowy December morning!

10.)

Source: School Library Journal

“Always winter but never Christmas.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

9.)

Source: byubookstore

 “I mean the baronet and the rector, not our brothers—but the former, who hate each other all the year round, become quite loving at Christmas.”
― William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair

8.)

Source: Wikipedia

“Mistletoe," said Luna dreamily, pointing at a large clump of white berries placed almost over Harry's head. He jumped out from under it. "Good thinking," said Luna seriously. "It's often infested with nargles.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 

7.) 

“I sincerely hope your Christmas in Hertfordshire may abound in the gaieties which that season generally brings, and that your beaux will be so numerous as to prevent your feeling the loss of the three of whom we shall deprive you.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

 

6.)

 “CALVIN: This whole Santa Claus thing just doesn't make sense. Why all the secrecy? Why all the mystery? If the guy exists why doesn't he ever show himself and prove it? And if he doesn't exist what's the meaning of all this? HOBBES: I dunno. Isn't this a religious holiday?
CALVIN: Yeah, but actually, I've got the same questions about God.”
― Bill Watterson

5.) 

Source: The Literary Snob

“But at Christmas he had returned to Minneapolis, tight-lipped and strangely jubilant.”

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise

4.)

Source: Page Pulp

“He went to the church, and walked about the streets, and watched the people hurrying to and for, and patted the children on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into the kitchens of homes, and up to the windows, and found that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never dreamed of any walk, that anything, could give him so much happiness.”
― Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

 3.)

Source: MsJacoby

“At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.”
― Chris Van Allsburg, The Polar Express

2.)

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

1.)

Source: Wikipedia

“One can never have enough socks," said Dumbledore. "Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn't get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Because in our hearts, here at WTD, Dumbledore is always number one! Hope you all have a lovely day and get to play in the snow!