Where is spring? My 7, 5, and 1 year old have been looking for it for a couple weeks now.  Ever since that nasty groundhog decided to finish his nap.  Unfortunately, I started looking for spring somewhere around January 5th.

In December, Missoula International Airport reported 13 inches of snow over Christmas weekend; we hadn’t seen that much snow at once in 20 years!  In addition, Missoula temperatures were frigid for the months of December and January.  Outdoor play and recreation has been limited for the youngest adventurers.  Even for the adults, playing in the snow in sub-zero temperatures is not appealing to many.

So here we are, the beginning of March.  We know all too well that warmer weather is around the corner.  But how do we keep our homes from absolute riot while we scream patiently wait for weather nice enough to lace up our dusty sneakers? Here’s your handy guide. Print it. Love it. Weep on it. We understand.

25 Ways to Beat Cabin Fever

 

  1. Puzzles. Pass the time and work your mind.
  2. Dollar store adventure (choose a theme). Each person has $10 to make dinner, make a dessert, come up with a costume, plan a date, plan a party, or decorate a room, etc.
  3. Write a letter (or email).
  4. Clean out a closet.
  5. Turn on your favorite decade’s music. Dance party!
  6. Rearrange or redecorate a room.
  7. Review your New Year’s Resolutions (you made those right?).
  8. Learn a new game or play an old favorite.
  9. Visit a friend.
  10. Take someone to dinner.
  11. Heads/tails car ride. Flip a coin, heads turn right, tails turn left. Repeat. You may end up in a part of town you never knew existed.
  12. Find a new foodie joint using Yelp.
  13. Use the disc cleaner at the local library to repair those skipping DVDs or CDs (bring some change to pay the fee).
  14. Use Khan Academy or Coursera.com (both free). Brush up on your lesser used knowledge or learn something knew entirely. From biology to coding, videos and even full classes are available to supplement your learning.
  15. Set the timer for 10 minutes and MOVE. Jumping jacks, jogging in place, push-ups, sit-ups. Your brain and body will thank you.
  16. Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or meditation. Do yoga! YouTube has an amazing assortment of videos.
  17. Look under the couches, chairs, refrigerator, stove, and other furniture for long lost items.
  18. Read a book you’ve had on your “to-read” list.
  19. Try your hand at photography using your smartphone.
  20. Prepare a new recipe.
  21. Pick 10+ things from your home to donate to a thrift store. Visit all your local thrift stores.
  22. Visit a local museum.
  23. Set the timer for 10 minutes and do one of those household chores you’ve been putting off. When the timer goes off, walk away!
  24. Do something artsy/crafty. Color a picture, draw or sketch or paint, play with the kids’ playdough, etc.
  25. Bundle up and get outside! A surprisingly short time in fresh air and a dose of vitamin D can do wonders for the soul.  With the right type of clothing, even the littlest ones can be comfortable outside for 15-20 minutes. Go sledding, walk the neighborhood, cross country ski, play in the snow, etc.

The snow and slush will turn to mud, then finally, in a few more weeks, give way to firmer ground and green grass. Choose a few of these tips to keep on standby while you wait. Then go make a few snowballs while you can. In a few months, you may just see a blog post titled “Top 10 Places to Find Free A/C.”

Until then, Happy in-between season!

Ashley

About the Author:

Ashley is a born and raised Bitterrooter who regained her roots after moving back to Montana in 2014. When she isn’t planning her next great adventure with her three children, she can be found outdoors soaking up sun, water, and fresh air. Ashley has learned that life is unpredictable and the best laid plans are ones built with flexibility and passion. Her favorite planning tools are her epic lists that float in and out of drawers and counters, and her detailed agenda in Google Calendar. She has recently discovered the excitement of capturing her life in pictures and documents her foodie, outdoor, kiddie, scenic, and more spontaneous moments on Instagram. You can follow her daily adventures at httpss://www.instagram.com/reachday1/.