It may be tempting to hide under the covers on the next cold winter day and binge movies. But it’s also a great time to get things done at home. In fact, it’s easier to be productive when you don’t want to be outside. Plus, checking off your “to do” list feels great. Follow this guide for some ideas of productive things that you can do at home on cold winter days.
- Declutter
It’s time to pick your favorite waffle iron and set the rest free. Go through your home and collect items to donate. Include gently used bedding, warm clothing, shoes, books, and even canned goods for the food bank. Clean up and give back at the same time. Check out our guide on Easy Ways to Declutter Your Home for more tips.
- Throw things out.
It goes without saying but you probably have single socks that you’re hoping will eventually find a mate. Now is the time to part with them, too. Go ahead and throw out your extra socks, your worn-out underwear, half-used candles, orphaned Tupperware (bottoms without lids or vice versa), expired food, and half-empty, fully expired beauty products.
- Organize
When is the last time you took a good look at your closet? Or your kitchen cabinets? Now is a great time to go through them. Start with one space. Pull out everything and assess whether you use these items or not. For your closet, put together outfits for various occasions to determine what you will wear and what you probably won’t. For closets, cabinets, and other storage areas, it’s always helpful to put similar things together so that they’re easy to find for future use.
- Listen to a book.
You can curl up on the couch and read the latest bestseller—or you can listen to the audio version while you’re cleaning, organizing, and decluttering. Not only will it provide the perfect soundtrack, but it will also engage your brain and you will feel extra productive.
- Workout
Getting up and moving is just what you need on a cold winter’s day. Luckily you can do that right inside. Find an inspirational YouTube workout video or turn on your favorite tunes and have a private dance party. If you have a jump rope or hula hoop, channel your inner child and have some fun!
- Try a new recipe.
Cold winter days are perfect times to bake cookies, make soup, make pet treats, and enjoy the time you might not otherwise have to try out new recipes. You can also take some time to cook and freeze meals so you’re ready for the week ahead. Tools like Recipe Radar help you find recipes based on ingredients that you already have on hand.
- Do a craft project.
Indulge your creative side with an arts and crafts project. It’s a great way to relax. Choose something practical, like making birthday cards or holiday cards to have in stock for the future. Or try something whimsical such as a sock bunny. The Internet has lots of ideas; do a search based on your interests and the supplies at hand.
- Explore a hobby; learn a skill.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a second language or brush up on your knife skills in the kitchen. There’s so much free content online that it’s easy to find videos about your areas of interest. Take a makeup tutorial. Try meditation. Not sure where to start? Sites like Skillshare offer a free month of classes on a variety of topics.
- Enjoy a spa day.
You don’t get a chance to pamper yourself nearly enough. Make time for a long, hot bath. Do a beauty treatment. Give yourself a manicure and pedicure. Don’t forget to hydrate. Make yourself a glass of cucumber water for that extra spa touch.
- Organize your photos.
If you’re like most people, you have albums of photos – on your phone, in print, or both. You just don’t always have the time to cull through them. Organizing your photos is the perfect indoor activity for a cold winter’s day. Sort your digital photos into albums so you can more easily find them. Save them to the cloud to free up space on your phone. Delete any photos that you don’t want anymore. For printed photos, follow a similar process. Decide which ones you will keep and in what format (e.g. scan to digital, place in a photo album). Consider giving away or throwing out photos to keep your collection manageable.
- Catch up with friends or family.
If you haven’t had a chance to chat with friends or family in a while, give them a call. Chances are that they’re stuck inside too and would love to hear from you. Not only can you catch up, but you can also plan your next get together. Don’t feel like talking? Write a letter. Everyone loves a handwritten note.
- Plan your summer vacation.
What better time than a cold winter’s day to dream about summer? Do some research and plan your next vacation. You can often find a better selection of vacation rentals by planning so far in advance. You may find money-saving deals on flights, accommodations, rental cars, and activities. Plus, you’ll be able to set a budget with ample time to save up for your trip.
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