Winter is Coming

I’m not a Game of Thrones fan. And I’m no futurist, but I’ve been thinking about the future.

If you’re like me in these days of COVID, you’re kind of stuck in a daily non-routine with not much to do and every day seems to blend together. Ever since March the world has been struggling with emotional health. And one way to alleviate that is to go outside - going for walks, going for bike rides, going to the park.

But believe it or not summer is ending soon, school is about to start, and winter will be here before we know it.

If there’s another wave of COVID this fall/winter (which there probably will be), and we are cooped up inside like we were this spring, with kids and parents working and learning together in the same houses again or mounting unemployment and inability to pay rent, there will be a wave of more emotional turmoil and we’re going to need a way to stay sane. But this time, it won’t be as easy to go outside to get a little relief.

I’m suggesting that to maintain your emotional integrity through the winter, you still need to get outside. Yes, even in the winter. Yes, even when it’s snowing. Yes, even when it’s cold.

So start thinking about picking up winter activities. Start shopping now for quality, warm winter clothing so you can go for a walk outside, or get some snowshoes, cross country skis or downhill skis so you can get out and do something. Buy it now because you know that once winter hits, there’s going to be a run on this equipment just like there was on bikes in the spring.

This winter and the upcoming holidays will look different. If you’ve been getting outside this summer, there’s no reason that should stop in the fall or winter.

Get over your aversion to the cold and embrace nature and all its beauty all year round.

Here are some suggestions to find quality gear for the cold:

  • Before you jump straight to Amazon, try looking at Moosejaw, Backcountry, or Dicks.

  • To find some used gear, see if there’s a Play it Again Sports near you, or find another local used sports goods business.

  • Facebook marketplace is a great way to find cheap, gently used gear.