Winter is here.

The temperatures have reached their “holy shit it’s cold” phase, millions of people are remarking “gee that snow is actually sticking,” and sleep is life thanks to days so filled with such darkness (mostly literally) that we may evolve into nocturnal creatures. Winter is here, and no, I’ve never watched Game of Thrones, but I’d like to think I can use the expression anyways.

My dog, Cleo, just stopped by to let me pet her, and then scooted back a couple feet to place her body in front of my miniature floor heater. This is life now.

As much as I hate winter, and the fact that grammar allows for no capitalization of the seasons, I find myself appreciating a few precious aspects.

• Chili is now game any day and every day. It’s not that I don’t eat chili in the summer, it’s just that I feel less foolish eating it now.
• Instead of asking myself if I should wear a t-shirt or a cami, I wear a cami every day now. In this cold world, more is more, and I can always use an extra spaghetti strapped shirt under my long sleeve shirt under my sweater.
• Hot cocoa. ‘Nuff said.
• Telling friends “I don’t feel like leaving the house” and not having to explain yourself because everybody gets it.
• Winter is the absolute worst, so..it’s only up from here! Pessimists will tell you that it isn’t even winter yet, but we’re too busy making blanket burritos to hear that malarky.

If anybody has been wondering what I’ve been doing lately, I’ll sum it up as this: I’ve been living in a constant state of anxiety. (My, this post has taken a turn.) The above bullets are some of the things I remind myself while sinking under the pressure of revving up for 2018 while still sloughing through the remaining dumpster of turmoil that is 2017.

At this time of year, everybody wants something from you: your clients, your boss, your friends coming to town, the folks on your Christmas list, the car insurance company, your future self. There ain’t no way I’m pleasing everybody. Still, I try.

I think the safest thing for each of us to do is retreat. I mean this in the most Emily Dickinson way possible. When the tough gets going, this is not the time to play hero. This is the time to hide. Find a few anime shows to fall in love with. Borrow enough books from the library that you’ll be busy for the entire 21 day lending period (for many, this will equal exactly one book). Make ridiculous savings goals so that it’s not even possible to go out. Buy floor pillows because your pillow/blanket fort needs them to reach perfection. But order them online, because going outside isn’t safe. Upgrade your Hulu subscription to commercial free because ain’t nobody got time for that. Stare at the dog while she sleeps in front of the heater.

And only, only interact with the outside world when it’s truly, absolutely necessary. It’s a dangerous world out there.

Or you can ignore all the sage advice I’ve just given and live on the edge. Sure, those tickets you just bought may bring you joy and excitement. And working out every day may be somewhat fulfilling, but is it really worth leaving your covers for? Only you can decide.

Personally, I’m somewhere in the middle. If it’s Star Wars related you might see me out the house, but 9 times out of 10 you can guess where I’ll be. Doing the Emily Dickinson. Fortunately, nothing lasts forever.

When the snow melts, what does it become? Spring! – Fruits Basket