This page contains affiliate links. Read our complete disclosure here.
A reflection back about my thoughts this past holiday season…
The holiday season always comes and goes in the blink of an eye. I am feeling beyond grateful this year for having a WHOLE WEEK off from work. Teaching in a school district means winter break, and that in itself is the best holiday gift I could ask for – peace, stillness, and time to simply just be.
It’s so important during the holidays to take time out and simply enjoy the days… step away from the shopping, the cooking, the gift wrapping, and just take it all in. It’s hard but here are some suggestions on ways you can enjoy the time during the holidays or any other busy time in your life.
- Take a night, turn off all distractions, and have a game night! (If doing this with a special someone try dimming the lights, pouring some wine, and lighting a candle. A free date night!) We did this recently and it brought a huge sense of peace to us.
- Go volunteer with your friends/family. Yes, it may feel like “work” but volunteering during the holidays (and year round) is highly important and needed. Recently we volunteered at Feed My Starving Children and Families Moving Forward. We have found that volunteering is a very humbling and rewarding experience.
- Take a walk! There’s something about the snow and the holiday season that is truly magical. Walking on freshly fallen snow brings a sense of calmness. If you are feeling stressed (and in a winter wonderland), I suggest trying this. A moonlight walk in the snow brings a deeper sense of calmness to the earth.
- Simply have a movie night! Make some popcorn, have hot chocolate, and enjoy a movie with your family. The simplicity of this is important around the holidays. Cozy up and enjoy!
- One of my personal favorites, cozy up with a good book and a cup of tea. A couple good adventure/hiking books I recently read and recommend are A Long Trek Home: 4,00 Miles by Boat, Raft and Ski by Erin McKittrick and Paddling to Winter by Julie Buckles. Reading about other like-minded hiker’s perspectives gives me even more of a reason to be excited about my next adventure on the trails. Do you have any book recommendations? Please do share!
We have been taking walks in the snow in our recently purchased snowshoes. We’ve been in the market for a pair of snowshoes over the past couple months – comparing prices, finding what different styles are out there, and testing a few out. We knew we wanted snowshoes for hiking around Minnesota, which means relatively flat ground and shallower powder compared to more mountainous regions of the country. That meant we could get more basic snowshoes. Where did we end up? Costco! They were a great value for beginners who want to have some fun and get a feel for snowshoeing. Is it challenging even on flat ground? Yes! Especially when trekking through freshly fallen snow when you are creating the path yourself. Plan on being sore the following day in your upper thighs. Some footage of our recent snowshoe adventure at the Coon Rapids Dam can be seen here.
We have not braved winter camping yet… it is on our radar this year and we are hoping to get out in the next few months. We have recently been to some helpful information sessions about winter camping at Midwest Mountaineering. The outdoor store hosts events/classes often on a variety of outdoor recreational topics. Check them out here.
Wishing you all a very happy New Year! Hoping you all can find yourselves plenty of adventures to create your own unique path in 2017.
Peace, love, and hike thru life!
Sarah and Andy