As winter drags on, I tend to slow down and fully embrace being a homebody. At first, it feels cozy and relaxing. Then, somewhere along the way, my social life starts to dwindle. I become more likely to cancel plans, stay in and feel bored more often than I’d like to admit.
To break out of that cycle, my roommate, Jade Kautzsch, and I decided to make a conscious effort to stay socially active. Instead of letting the cold decide our plans, we tried out a handful of simple activities to see what was worth leaving the house for. Whether you’re spending time with friends, a significant other, or going on a solo date, this is the list we created.
Picnic at Horsetooth
Thanks to the unexpectedly warm winter weather, a picnic at Horsetooth Reservoir turned out to be a perfect excuse to get outside. To make it more fun, we stopped at the grocery store and picked out unique snacks to try and rate. On colder days, a drive around the area works just as well.
Blindly Attending a Concert
Attending a concert without prior knowledge of the artist is a fun way to discover new artists. Although we did not attend a concert together, we have both done this independently and found it to be a great idea to discover new music and connect with the local community. The Aggie Theater provides affordable concert options with great lineups.
Walking Around Old Town
With a mix of local boutiques and thrift stores, it’s the perfect spot for a casual afternoon. We decided to pick outfits for each other, which was a fun way to support local businesses.
Reading Together
For slower days, reading together is an easy way to spend time without committing to a big plan. We came up with the idea of picking out books for each other to keep it exciting.
Emma Winters
(Amanda Marken)
Choosing a New Record
For our final idea, we visited a record store and chose a record at random. Listening to something new made staying in feel more exciting.
Winter doesn’t have to be boring or isolating. With small efforts to try new things, winter can become just as exciting and memorable as the upcoming warm months.
