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In case you forgot that an intant 20 degree drop in temperatures doesn’t actually mean the seasons have changed, winter is still a few weeks away. But we’re all feeling the chill. While I’m all about snow in the city, not everyone thinks runny Rudolph noses are as adorable as I do.
At least that’s what the Internet tells me, with all its tricks and tips for combatting some of the season’s unfortunate side effects: dry skin, hat hair, extra lbs from an endless barrage of cheese plates at holiday parties, and all the other damages those parties incur. I understand where the frustration with winter comes from. But shedding that miserly take on old man winter can produce its own set of side effects, and maybe help you shed some of that stress too. Let’s take inventory of ten great things to love (or ok, just appreciate) about the bone-chilling months lying ahead.
1. The next time you blow in from the cold, take a look in the mirror. You may have shelled out extra dollars to stock up on moisturizers for the winter, but consider what you’re saving in blush and bronzer. Suddenly the trade-off looks a lot more even.
2. Speaking of beautiful shades, there’s never a better time to rock bold lip color than under some mistletoe, with a glass of bubbly in hand.
3. Hey, remember that disgusting habit your upper lip has of collecting sweat? Winter doesn’t.
4. Thigh-high boots in the summer make you look like an outdated Pretty Woman. But when worn in winter, you’re a European supermodel who knows how to keep herself warm.
5. Staying in on a Friday night to do crafts and watch Netflix Instant Watch isn’t pathetic or a sign of depression right now. It’s genius. So I’ll be there in twenty.
6. You have three straight months to walk down the street in a puffy pink jacket and act like you’re about to go break up with LL Cool J. This video is responsible for half the reasons I moved to New York. And let it be said: I am good, rappin’ my girls on the block.
7. Maybe you don’t have your own fireplace to curl up in front of like a Disney princess (unless you do, in which case: What’s up best friend?!). But bars do. And they have hot toddies, cider, and mulled wine, too.
8. I’m not totally happy about this one, but it’s been said that women are nicer to each other during winter months. Apparently, it’s related to the general fact that skirts become shorter once the weather turns warmer, and womankind have been socialized to compete with other hotties for male attention. This year, I’m going to take my friendly, unthreatened winter attitude straight into spring and summer. Who’s with me?
9. The guy you’ve been seeing for the last couple months doesn’t need any official labels aside from human body pillow and space heater.
10. By February, this list will be long forgotten. But as you jet toward sun and warmth for your annual winter getaway, remember who gave you the inspiration in the first place. Yep, that’d be old man winter.
