I really do not like being cold. And unfortunately, if it is cold outside, I am likely to be cold. There was a moment this week when I started reaching for my wool socks to walk around the house when I realized that…oh. I will now be cold until May. Getting out of the shower I will be cold. Getting changed I will be cold. Sigh. Unless we set the heat in the house to the temperature it is for the AC to come on in summer I’m just going to be cold.
Of course, in years of being cold, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. One of my favorite is to wash my face (and hands) with hot water. At one point I identified that the reason I never wanted to wash my face at night in the winter is that I didn’t like splashing cold water on my face. But the sink gets hot water too! Same with washing my hands. No need to just tap the cold faucet (the default) if the hot one is available.
It was 38 degrees outside this morning. Sadly, this means I probably won’t be able to wear my summer flats and jeans much longer. My daughter and I were discussing this when I drove her to the bus stop the other morning. She had been eager for fall weather, but she clarified that she liked just a little coolness, not being cold. But I guess it was inevitable!
I’m not sure if I’ll get to a content round-up post later this week or not, so a few highlights: Over at Before Breakfast, I interviewed Cal Newport! I’ve been running a longer episode every Wednesday where I interview someone about their time management strategies. He really embraces October and has quite the display going on his lawn…Please give that episode a listen.
Over at Vanderhacks, the post behind the paywall this week is about “Planning fatigue is real” — but here are 7 ways to take a beat and get back on track. I also reminded people that “If others can, you can.” Other, normal people tend not to have access to some secret font of knowledge that isn’t accessible to everyone else. You can probably figure it out!
Obviously different people feel the heat or the cold differently. I spent much of my childhood in Canada, so maybe I was trained to not mind the cold. But if you are a “cold-blooded” person, there are ways to cope with that. For example, a small heater in the bathroom can be on just while you are taking a shower, and then you come out to a nicely warm room that will not chill you. I’m sure you have turtlenecks and scarves and hats and all. But maybe you need to change over to winter clothes earlier…so you don’t get that first chill. And indulge in heated gloves and coats and foot warmers. I LOVE winter so I want everyone else to like it too!
@Ann – heated gloves could be a thing…my hands for sure get cold!
Heated gloves! I didn’t know that was even a thing – what a great idea.
Girl, it’s going to be almost 80 degrees in Philadelphia this weekend. I think you’re going to be ok.
I’ve been feeling the exact same way/having the same thoughts about the cold. This morning I had to wear gloves to walk the dog for the first time this season and I’m not looking forward to it getting colder. At work I frequently turn on the space heater I keep by my desk and at home I wear a big fleece, wool socks, and huddle by the fire when I can.
Last year I got a heated lap blanket for my home office! It plugs in under the desk. So nice to have a fluffy warm cocoon to work under without needing to burn fuel to heat the whole house!
The older I am, the colder I seem to get. I live in Wisconsin, and remember I used to run year-round, even when it was low, low single digits. No way could I tolerate that now. I like the idea of a heated blanket for my desk as someone else mentioned. I work from home, and just freeze at my desk regardless of what I wear. I have found though that I do better with heavy socks and thicker soled shoes of some sort, and many layers on top. I have fleece dresses and will wear one of those over outdoor leggings when it’s really cold. And of course, a space heater. But I too am always cold while dressing, after showering, first thing in the morning, etc.
I like the tip about hot water for face and hand washing! And I’m off now to shop for a heated throw to use at my desk…
@Holly – so I have a system with the shower that involves two towels so I never have to be really cold – as hair and body don’t need to be dried at separate times…
@Cate – interesting – I hadn’t considered the heated blanket for the office idea…
I love the cold so much but HATE the heat – I find summers so much worse than winters. I’m about 2 hours south of you, so very similar climate. That being said, I don’t like BEING cold – but you can do things about it! I have a heated vest, a mattress warmer, and a footwarmer for my desk at home. My mom has rechargeable hand heaters. My husband installed a bathroom heater into the wall (or you can just use a space heater) and it makes a huge difference for getting out of the shower in the morning. In the winter, I wear a base layer+wool nearly every day on my upper body. I have fleece-lined pants for my lower body. If you can get the extremities warm, the rest follow!!!
(if I had to recommend just one thing, though, get the mattress warmer! it’s the best!!!)
@KGC – a foot warmer! Now there’s an idea…I’m usually warm at night – I have a down comforter so I sleep fine but it’s getting out of bed that’s the problem…
I really enjoyed your interview of Cal Newport. Seeing your „philosophies“ merged together made so much sense! Until that point, productivity and a slow lifestyle where opposites for me but thanks to your conversation I understood that it can be two sides of the same coin.
Minnesota girl here. We live in a 100+ year old farmhouse that gets drafty. In the winter, we keep thermostat at 68 most of the day. I can’t see the heating the whole house for just me while hubby is at work.
My tips:
Some sort of light weight long underwear, both top and bottoms. Leggings can work, but I find they bunch or feel too bulky under clothing. I prefer a semi-loose fit in a smooth slick surface knit fabric. They float and don’t bind or bunch. Can double as pj’s when traveling.
Personally, I need to keep my neck warm to keep my body warm. First layer, long underwear, next layer— A turtleneck t shirt under a sweater or sweatshirt is part of my winter uniform. A scarf also works, if I’m doing desk work or reading.
I wear socks (over the ankle) and shoes in the house in the winter. Even Crocs with socks work well and are so easy to slip on and off. These are worn only in the house to keep the floors clean. I wear something else when going out, even for quick trips— to get the mail, etc.
Go outside everyday once or twice to get heart rate up even on cold days. I bundle up with down jacket, scarf or neck gaitor, hat or earband, warm gloves, and winter boots. Amazing how quickly I can dress myself to go out when it’s just me, not like the years with little kids.
And it’s amazing how warm 68 degrees feels when I come back in. Then a warm beverage and I feel toasty for quite a while.
I hate being cold, but can’t stand heat and humidity either. My comfort zone is pretty narrow but cold weather is easier to accommodate. Good luck!
Fleece-lined jeans and sweatpants are my go-to’s around the house in the winter. Plus, I’m always wearing hard-soled, fleece-lined slippers to keep my feet warm on hardwood floors.