Winter is coming whether you like it or not

Light the fire and pass the blanket ❄⛄

This time last year, we went to the pub for what would be our final burgers and pints of 2020. Indeed, 12 months have passed since the start of our longest lockdown.

Now it’s 2021 and, with 50,000 new cases a day, we’re not quite out of the woods yet. However, most of us are fully vaccinated, still masking up and enjoying the freedoms we could only dream of at the start of the year.

Last winter was a cold one.

So, what does winter 2021 hold for us?

I wonder if I’m alone in feeling like the excitement of being allowed to go out and about again has died down, and I’m no longer rushing to book tables at my favourite restaurants or fill my diary with every possible social event.

Obviously, we have no idea if we’ll be placed under restrictions or even face another lockdown. But, with that in mind, we can still look towards the winter with positivity, rather than the usual dread that comes with cold weather and dark nights.

Honestly, I think winter gets a bad rap.

Every year, we treat spring as an opportunity for a fresh start, while the threat of incoming winter fills many of us with dread, particularly if you are prone to Seasonal Affective Disorder (aptly known as “SAD”). So, at least now you know if you are dreading the next season, and the low mood that comes with it, then you’re not alone

This year, I’m treating winter as an opportunity to rest and recuperate. I’m excited to light our fire, drink mulled everything and close my curtains at 4 pm sharp. I asked the Twittersphere what they were most looking forward to about winter, and here’s what they had to say:

Brand ‘Poltergeist Face’ Storyteller 👻 @gillianography

@contentbythesea The sense of burrowing down into hibernation. The sense that shutting out the world just for a few months and enjoying the warmth of family and home in close proximity isn’t lazy it’s practical. The darkness, the cold, the glow of a fire, candles. The familiar smells of winter.

Fi Phillips @FiPhillipsCopy

@contentbythesea Crisp morning dog walks when I can see my breath and the frosty grass snaps underfoot. Of course, I'm not happy when I get home and my glasses steam up the minute I step indoors.

Berenice 🕸 Smith @hihellolovely

@contentbythesea Dog walks alone because nobody else is mad enough (inc. Molly) Lighting the fire (though feel like an enviro crim) Big skies Table lamps Fairy lights Planting tulips

Maisie 👽 @obviouslymaisie

@contentbythesea Christmas sandwiches!! Huge hoodies, beanies, mittens, winter walks, Christmas decorations and lights, snow ⛄️

Lauren Etherington @lauren_ethers

@contentbythesea - log burner on - Harry Potter movie marathons - red wine and cheese boards - the whole run up to Xmas - getting my Arket puffer coat out of the loft and living in it for months - BOOTS!!!! (Shoes not the shop)

Lisa Gust @lisagustwrites

@contentbythesea Layering up, seeing lit up houses and smoking chimneys when it gets dark, scented candles, seasonal decor, seasonal drinks, returning from a chilly walk & cuddling up under a big blanket, watching cosy films, hearty comfort food... ❄️🥰

RuthSedarWrites, but like, haunted 👻🎃 @ruthsedarwrites

@contentbythesea Outrageously big jumpers. Ones I can live in and pull over my knees. And leaving a trail of mugs everywhere from endless hot drinks.

Scare-Dee Cat @Dee_WkdCreative

@contentbythesea Snuggling under a blanket to watch a movie

Sophie Skull & Crossbones ☠️ @FullyThoughtOut

@contentbythesea Pub fires Mulled wine Sunrise Club is at a *reasonable* time Feeling hardcore as f*ck if you get in the sea Elf (although you can watch this any month)

André Spiteri @Andre_Spiteri

@contentbythesea Brisk mornings, sledding when it snows, long steaming hot showers, duvet days, hot toddies, being able to wear my winter coat

👻 💀 Spoooooky Spectral Scribbler 🎃💀 @SpeckyScribbler

@contentbythesea Hats. My fluffy Docs. Candles and incense. Mulled wine. Jumpers. Hot water bottles. Blankets EVERYWHERE. The occasional cosy pub nights with pals. I also *love* when it's sunny but cold AF. It's such a lovely feeling.

You can read all the responses here - guaranteed to give you a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

What are your favourite things about winter? And how do you prepare for any impending low mood, or even SAD? Let me know over on Twitter @ContentByTheSea or reply to this email for a chat.

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📚 On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong

A beautiful and heartfelt story structured as a letter from a son to his mother, a second-generation immigrant from Vietnam living in the US. I was recommended this by so many people and I can see why it is such a revered piece. Highly recommend if you love writing.

🎥 Dune (2021) & 📚 Dune (1965)

I finished the audiobook of Dune and finally got to see the new epic feature film at the cinema - our first trip post-Covid! As an avid sci-fi fantasy read, I respect what Frank Herbert did for the genre, but I do feel the book is a little dated now. However, the film was incredible and I loved every second of it - the cinematography and score really stood out for me, we’ll definitely be renting it to watch again at home soon.

That’s all from me this week, it’s been extremely busy at Content By The Sea HQ and we’ve actually closed our books for new clients until 2022 🎉 A victory I hope to celebrate at some point soon, between the torrent of web and content projects on our desk.

See you on Twitter, or next week for more about work and mental health in the online world in Conversations By The Sea!

Ellen x

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Enjoyed this? You might like these past issues:

20 October: I got sick

13 October: This girl is me

6 October: Everything is awful… or is it?

29 September: That’s dope

22 September: Have a word with yourself

15 September: Running changed my life

8 September: Okay, boomer

25 August: Bridezilla returns

18 August: Find your zen

10 August: The fear factor