It's still freezing but here's how to feel good

February has come and gone, we’re well into March … and we're still waiting for Spring.

Since Mother Nature is holding out on us, I’ve decided to light up the bleak-dreary-cold slog with some home-made happiness.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been (mostly complaining but also) asking people how they’re getting through the unending chill.

So here’s the collective wisdom of Cheltenham folk and beyond, for bringing on our inner sunshine …

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Settling down on the sofa with a big warm blanket and bingeing on comfort-TV boxed sets, like Downton or Black Books or Green Wing or insert-Scandinavian–drama-here

A cup of tea and a hot toasted cinnamon and raisin bagel (goes nicely with the above)

Going for a walk in a big warm hoodie and listening to the podcast you’ve been looking forward to

Playing powerful music till your heart’s lifted up to the rafters

Getting into Spring mode and clearing out the kitchen drawer with all the orphaned bits from unknown appliances in it

A play-fight till you can’t breathe for laughing, with your children, grandchildren or furry loved ones

Curling up in bed with a hot water bottle and reading an inspirational book that you never quite started, or getting lost in a novel

Lighting a candle, watching the clouds and daydreaming

Lying in calming, relaxing Savasana on a thick rug in your softest slippers (It’s yoga, right? It’s good for us)

Smoothing your glorious-smelling hand cream into those winter-chapped hands, then closing your eyes and adoring the scent

A long, warm bath then an early night in fresh clean sheets

So what will you do? Maybe by the time you’re done you won’t want winter to end, ever. OK I’m exaggerating a bit. But I’m pretty sure you’ll feel lucky to be alive, with or without the sun.

Blessings to you.

Thanks to Justin Barton at Flickr for the image