Two Minutes Du Jour

January in Minnesota is notoriously cold and often quite snowy. But the weather has never been a deterrent for me, and the same goes for our family dog, Duke. Rare is the day we skip a walk, no matter how frigid it gets. This resilience—or perhaps stubbornness—is a hallmark of living here.

When my kids were little, we approached winter with the same determination. Back in 1989, I made what turned out to be one of the most practical purchases of my life: a pair of bib-overall snow pants from LL Bean.

Those snow pants became my armor against the elements, allowing me to dive into winter adventures with abandon, whether it was building forts, sledding, or making snow angels.

More than three decades later, those snow pants are still with me. They’ve seen countless winters, outlasting fads and trends in outdoor gear. Every time I put them on, I’m reminded of those early days with my children, the laughter and the simple joy of being outside together. Now, it’s Duke who benefits from my well-equipped determination to brave the cold. With my snowpants on, we venture out daily, regardless of wind chills that could make less hardy souls cringe.

As they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear. Winter in Minnesota requires a mindset as much as it does warm gear. My old LL Bean snowpants embody that philosophy. They may not be stylish, but they are a symbol of practicality, perseverance, and a refusal to let the weather dictate my life.

Truthfully, I like all four seasons; there is something good about each one, but I sure wish our winter were shorter.

If you’re struggling to embrace the cold, one approach is to adopt a winter mindset. Look for its joys, rather than focusing on its challenges. From enjoying the coziness of warm drinks to celebrating winter activities like skiing or hiking, shifting your perspective makes a huge difference. Finding ways to make the cold work for you—instead of against you—is key … as is a warm-weather trip, if you’re able:)

Rethink your relationship with winter. For many, the struggle lies not just in the cold but in the darkness. The Nordic concept of “friluftsliv,” which translates to “open-air living,” encourages people to spend time outdoors daily, no matter the weather. This connection to nature and fresh air, even in the depths of winter, fosters a sense of well-being and resilience. By embracing activities like winter hiking or simply stepping outside to watch a sunrise, you can transform the season from something to endure into something to enjoy.

Two Links Du Jour:

9 Ways to Embrace Winter – Even If You Think You Hate It – Time Magazine

People in Colder Countries Understand the Magic of Winter – What’s Their Secret? – NPR