The Grandma In You

Once the weather starts to chill, the motivation to leave the house begins to dwindle. People say your 20s are the decade to go out, be wild and make memories. While they have a point, the fast change in weather does not always agree with the party animal within you. When the winter blues kick in, it is ok to let the grandma in you shine. There is something deeply comforting about staying in and indulging in cozy new hobbies that warm you up. 

The Cozy Girl Rebrand 

The first snowfall marks the moment when everyone’s routine slows down just a bit. Unfortunately, this is also when going out starts to feel less fun and more like a chore. Your friends might still be rallying for weekday bar hopping, but all you can think about is a blanket, a mug and your favorite movie. This shift does not make you boring. It just means you need a weekend to take a break from chaos. 

This is the era when you choose yourself every once in a while instead of saying yes to every plan. You get to prioritize feeling warm, calm and grounded. Think of it as taking intentional time to recharge. When the snow starts to fall, you get to find peace, take in every moment and hit pause. It does not mean you are opting out of fun. You are simply redefining what fun looks like for the season.  

Knits, Stitch, Paint and Not Leaving the House

Knitting has become one of the most popular grandma hobbies. There is a good reason for this sudden boost in popularity. It is relaxing, creative and gives you something tangible to share with others around you. The repetitive motions feel meditative, sort of as a way of escaping the long day that passed. If you are a beginner, you can ask your grandma for her old knitting set or to give you lessons.

There are so many videos online that are easy to follow along with for your first project. The best thing about knitting is that you can multitask, so put on a comfort show, light a candle and let the rhythm of the needles guide you. By the end of the season, you may have a few handmade pieces that serve as a cozy reminder of the time you spent slowing down.

Another fun and calming project that many take on is drawing or painting on canvases. Painting has therapeutic value regardless of your artistic ability. Aimlessly stroking the paintbrush onto a blank canvas and mixing colors to make an abstract piece takes you out of your headspace for a second. It has been said that when you use your creative brain and end up with a completed product of your work, you get a free dopamine boost. 

Grandma is the New It Girl

From the moment your alarm sounds in the morning to the second your head hits the pillow at the end of the day, there is a screen constantly grabbing our attention. What many of us forget to think about is that something is grounding about activities that require your hands instead of a screen. Knitting and painting are not the only two hobbies these girls embody. You can make your own rules in Grandma Land, and if getting back into reading, drinking a warm beverage or trying out a new recipe helps slow down your days, then so be it, and master your new hobby

“It girls,” like grandmas, are living in their own world. When it comes to their hobbies, they are passionate, knowledgeable and even a little bit mysterious. Acting independently is another big attribute of both it girls and grandmas, but just because they are independent doesn’t make them lonely. These activities are just as enjoyable with friends during a cozy wine night, while baking on a snowy evening can be just as fun as going out. Winter becomes a chance to spend intentional time with yourself while still finding new ways to connect with others.

Let us know when you retire from the party era @VALLEYmag on Instagram!

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