Sometimes in the depths of the long, long winter, it’s difficult to find the motivation to do anything but camp out under the covers in front of the TV…or, in these modern times, in front of our mobile phones. As Jack Frost nips at our nose, the struggle to call an official hiatus on screen-time is real. As much as technology makes our lives safer, easier, and more connected – it can also create a constant sense of urgency, rob our time, and give us a false sense of meaning.

With the holiday season upon us, it is perhaps more poignant now than ever, to be present. It is vital to build memories and create moments with those that you love. Even in our complex modern world, we see a resurgence of simpler pastimes – a look at the exploding board game market, adult coloring books, or the increase in camping (even glamping!) are proof of this. In fact, this past October, New York announced that its State Park campgrounds set a new record for attendance for the fifth consecutive year. Our beautiful area of the country offers the outdoor enthusiast (and the not-so-enthusiastic) a myriad of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. As winter comes into full play, Mother Nature beckons us on snowy adventures, with ample locations for sledding, skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Outfitters throughout the state can satisfy even the most adventurous outdoor extremist with fat tire snow biking and ice climbing ever gaining popularity. We are so fortunate to have all of this as our backyard playground. These are the kind of memories that make up a lifetime.

Even on the coldest winter day when it’s impossible to get outside, there are plenty of things to do in the comfort of your own home. Make hot chocolate, build a pillow fort, bake cookies, or read a book. A quick Google search or Pinterest session rewards you with multiple lists on how to engage and entertain your children on snow days. Keeping it simple remains the key – coloring, crafting, or even sewing can easily become the highlight of a child’s day. It is likely that the very thing needed to make your child happy, is more time with you.

As we grow more winter-weary, we must remind ourselves of how we occupy our days. As we connect more to each other, through meaningful action, we will find that the weather is not so all-important. This season gives us the amazing opportunity to spend more time on our relationships by forcing us out of our comfort zones – the routines we are used to. Most of the year, we are conditioned to having the ability and accessibility to do almost anything, while instead, winter lays a heavy blanket on our go-go-go lifestyles. Make these days as purposeful as others. With a bit of creativity and a sense of adventure, you can find a way to make the coldest time of the year a little warmer.

Photo source: Buzzfeed