It's time for our fifth annual effort to beat back the winterization blues! This winter we are tapping into two European lifestyle trends that have real staying power. Our tips are based around suggestions for a winter life centered around "open air living" known as Friluftsliv in Norway. Think long walks with your pup, mountain biking in the snow, campfires with friends, and space heaters on the back deck.  We also have tips based around the Danish concept of "coziness" or Hygge. This is a trend we broke here in the United States a few years back (#jokingnotjoking). Think warm blankets, RV-centric movie nights, hot mugs of tea, and snuggling with your camping sweetie. For obvious reasons, winter may be harder this year than in year's past. All the more reason to take a listen to the accompanying podcast (in the media player above) or just keep on reading! 

Part One: Tips for Outdoor Living (Friluftsliv)

Start a CCC (Covid Campfire Club)

Many of us are missing our friends at this point during the pandemic. So why not invite them over for a campfire, and ask them to do the same. In my general neighborhood, three of us have created a circuit for weekend campfires. Much credit goes to my neighbor Derek who has led the charge. Even if you just hang out for an hour once a week to socialize, it will make you feel human again. Bring a thermos of hot chocolate with you too--it will warm you up from the inside out! Forming a CCC is a powerful antidote to the winterization blues!

Make this Alfred Wainwright Quote Your New Motto

”There is no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” We think old Alfred got this one right. If you dress appropriately you can get outside and ENJOY almost any kind of weather. Stephanie thinks this is harder to apply to kids because they grow out of their cold weather gear so quickly and it is more challenging to keep them properly geared up. But for us adults there should be no excuses. Get some quality winter clothing and get outside! Stephanie has been doing great getting outside every day, and so have Max and Theo. I'm doing fairly well myself too. The four of us are definitely beating the winterization blues. Our youngest, Wesley, has been struggling a bit more. But he was throwing snowballs with the best of them just yesterday. 

Get A Portable Heater for Your Back Deck

We have recommended having an outdoor firepit like a Solo Stove before---but I don’t like to have a campfire every night.  But I do like to sit outside and read in our screened in porch during the winter months. The Mr. Heater Buddy Flex Heater has been awesome for sitting outside at night. It is powered by the little green propane tanks--or you can get an adaptor to use a larger tank. THIS THING IS SO WARM and very easy to use. It is a powerful tool for beating the winterization blues. The heat comes out on three sides and is perfect for staying cozy outside, even on the coldest of nights. Plus, there is no messy cleanup like with a campfire and no smoke to contend with. The Buddy Flex Heater is my favorite new piece of outdoor gear this winter. If you buy one, please make sure you read the instructions carefully before use. The Buddy Flex Heater needs oxygen and I have only used it outside.

Pick Up a New Cold Weather Hobby

Picking up a new hobby is almost certainly a way to bring joy into your life and beat back the winterization blues. Our son Theo is 11 years old right now, and he started pushing us to go mountain biking this fall. So we all ended up with Trek mountain bikes, and we love them! The boys all have Trek Marlin 5's and Stephanie has a Marlin 6. We have all been impressed with the quality at a moderate price point. Each time we head outside for a mountain bike ride, we are not just beating the winterization blues. We are crushing it.

Part Two: Tips for Staying Warm, Cozy,