Making Peace with Winter, One Cozy Moment at a Time.

Michigan in January has a way of slowing everything down—the gray skies, the cold, the long stretches indoors. My anxiety tends to rise this time of year, and winter has a way of amplifying it. Add in how much more challenging things can feel with my vestibular hypofunction and anxiety, especially when it comes to getting out, and it’s easy to start feeling restless and stuck.

Cabin fever sneaks in quietly. It shows up as that unsettled, stir-crazy feeling where your body wants movement but your nervous system wants safety.

So instead of pushing myself, I’ve been choosing comfort.

I put together a small basket with art supplies and an affirmation book—simple things that feel calming and familiar. I created a cozy reading area with blankets where I can slow down without feeling like I should be doing something else. I also started using a sunlight lamp during the darker hours, and it’s been a gentle reminder that light still exists, even when winter hides it.

These small choices have become little anchors in my day. They don’t erase anxiety, but they soften it. They remind me that even when the world outside feels cold and frozen, I can still create warmth, safety, and peace right where I am.

If you’re feeling the winter blues too, you’re not alone. Sometimes surviving winter isn’t about doing more—it’s about making your space feel safe enough to rest.

Affirmation:

I find peace in small, ordinary moments, and the comfort I create carries me through.