Reframing Winter

‍On Friday morning, less than a week after a major blizzard dropped historic amounts of snow on parts of the Northeast, while rumors of another potential storm floated around the internet, the Boston Globe’s “Starting Point Newsletter” published a piece encouraging readers to increase their personal happiness by focusing on the positive aspects of winter rather than just complaining about it. [Even though I’m a subscriber, the paper’s system doesn’t allow me to share a gift link, so apologies if you can’t access it.]

Apparently, according to “The Harvard Happiness Study” (it has a more official title, but everyone uses the nickname), about 40% of our happiness is within our control. It’s all about your attitude. In that spirit, I’ve tried to come up with a few winter affirmations to help us all get in the right frame of mind for the rest of this challenging season.

#1—Snow is beautiful.

The article notes that we can all embrace “the absolute quiet of the woods during a gently falling snow” or the thrill of telling the kids school’s been cancelled. Assuming we live near woods. Or have kids. Or they get an actual snow day instead of a shift to online learning.

But let’s not get bogged down in the details. Let’s revel in the thrill of getting to know our neighbors/new enemies during the Hunger Games-level challenge of sourcing milk or toilet paper before a storm arrives. After all, what was all that training during the Covid lockdown for if not an enhanced appreciation for preparedness in all future emergencies—and sharper elbows in the grocery store? ‍ ‍

Also, shoveling your sidewalk or driveway can be an excellent addition to your cardio workout. Unless, of course, you have a heart condition or other health problem or you’re over 45 (FORTY-FIVE?!!), in which case it’s a life-threatening, foolhardy endeavor you SHOULD NEVER ATTEMPT.

‍And let’s not forget the melodic tones of snowplows barreling down the street in the middle of the night, the picturesque mountain ranges of dirt-covered snowdrifts decorating every corner, or the exciting fashion inspirations offered by dog owners who have no choice but to go out in the heart of the storm. Honestly, with all this going for it, I don’t know why anyone would ever complain about the winter!

#2—The weather forecasters got it right this time.

Sure, their forecasts fluctuated wildly for quite a while, and it took days for them to lock in on the right “model.” And we had two big storms in a row, so it was impossible to replenish your supply of ice melt. And when the blizzard arrived, we still had snow on the ground and uncollected garbage and cars yet to be dug out. But the good news is the forecasters got it right. They said we’d have a lot of snow and gosh darn it, we did!

#3—The reservoirs need the water.

You may have been stuck inside the house for days if you didn’t get plowed out, or you’re afraid to fall, or you didn’t feel like climbing a picturesque, dirt-covered snowdrift to cross the street. You may have had to wear ankle-high boots for more than a week after the snow ended just in case you couldn’t leap over the mile-wide puddles that emerge the moment temperatures rise above freezing. Sadly, you may have even touched the mysterious goo collecting in those puddles, a toxic brew of melting snow, diluted road salt, regular dirt, fluids from cars, dissolved dog poop, and God only knows what else. At least this summer we’ll have less risk of drought.

#4—Winter food is delicious.

What could be better than a creamy hot chocolate after your third trip outside to inspect the ice dam building up along your roofline? Or the smell of beef stew simmering on the stove for some of the many hours you’ve been trapped at home? Warm, hearty winter meals are not only delightful, they also help you build an extra layer of “insulation” to protect against subzero windchills. And with all the layers you’ll be wearing, no one will be able to tell how much weight you’ve gained!

#5—At least this shows there’s no such thing as global warming/climate change.

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHA.

Sorry, no.

Seriously, if that’s your takeaway from the latest storms, you don’t need these affirmations. You’ve already created an imaginary world in your mind, and don’t need any help from me.

#5—Spring will be here eventually.

It’s already March 2nd! New York City broke 40 degrees this weekend! There’s even talk of a 70-degree day soon!

Now, you know better to think that means winter is over. Last night, temperatures in my neighborhood were back down to the 20s. We could still have a lot of misery ahead of us. Even so, spring will come. It may come late. It may be chilly. It will no doubt involve rain or mud to some degree. It will, however, arrive, and by then, you’ll be too exhausted to let any kind of weather-related obstacle or challenge get you down.