If you have trouble finding happiness in snow, this article is for you!
Snow is a pretty rare thing in Portland, Oregon so when it snows, I get pretty excited. The photo on the left is from a winter in 2016 when things were all but normal for The City of Roses, and I loved it! Finding happiness in snow is easy for me, it’s rare here, and I love it!
The featured photo is a little neighborhood bar down the street from where I lived at the time. It brings me all sorts of happy to look at that picture. You know what I remember so much? It’s quiet out when it snows, and people who are out in it together seem quite connected enjoying a common unusual thing. Finding happiness is snow is what a lot of us want to do in our neighborhoods.
So I wondered, why do we feel happy when it snows? Recognizing that not everyone agrees (to include my friend from Wisconsin who moved to Portland for the main purpose of being sick and tired of snow……lots of it…….for long periods of time……every. single. very. long. winter)!
“You know what’s the best thing about snow? Everything!” -Elsa, Frozen.
You really don’t have to even get out in it, watching it out the window excites me a lot, but also I remember a day last year where my friend Erika and I bundled up and put on the boots we rarely get to wear and made our way over to the Harborview Restaurant for a Spanish Coffee just to be part of it. Yep, we were just out finding happiness in snow.
Why Does Snow Make Us Happy?
- Winter Wonderland Aesthetics: Snow-covered landscapes create a picturesque scene, turning ordinary surroundings into a magical winter wonderland.
- Outdoor Activities: Snow provides opportunities for fun outdoor activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowball fights, and building snowmen, fostering a sense of playfulness and adventure.
- Quiet Serenity: Snow dampens sound, creating a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The hushed, muffled quality of a snow-covered environment can be calming and soothing.
- Holiday Spirit: Snow is often associated with the holiday season, evoking feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and festive cheer. It contributes to the overall ambiance of holidays like Christmas.
- Cozy Indoors: The sight of snowfall can make indoor spaces feel cozier. Snuggling up with a warm drink and watching the snowfall outside can be a comforting experience.
- Scents and Smells: Fresh snow has a distinct and clean scent, adding a refreshing and invigorating element to the air that many find uplifting.
- Family Bonding: Snow days often lead to unexpected breaks and a chance for families to spend quality time together, whether it’s building snow forts or enjoying hot cocoa by the fireplace.
- Photogenic Moments: Snowflakes and frost create unique and beautiful patterns, offering excellent opportunities for photography enthusiasts to capture stunning images.
- Hot Drinks and Comfort Food: Cold weather often calls for comforting hot drinks and hearty meals. Enjoying these treats while surrounded by a snowy landscape can enhance the overall experience.
- Sense of Wonder: Snow can evoke a childlike sense of wonder and magic. Watching snowfall or catching snowflakes can bring back feelings of innocence and joy.
What Others Say About Happiness in Snow
“Unexpected time off after a snowfall feels like a gift because it removes the pressure to be productive.” While I set out to examine why snow makes me so happy, I chose the article, “For Adults, Snow Days Feel Like Divine Permission to Rest,” in the Atlantic. Well that sure resonated with me! I mean sure, childhood nostalgia, an unusual thing, the hope for a day off, these are the things we probably love about snow. I invite you to read the article which so beautifully describes the happiness of snow.
In a survey of 2000 people on StudyFind, 6 out of 10 believe that winter is the most magical season, but also think that was more true as children, though adults seem to continue to live vicariously through their children to continue to enjoy these cold and snowy times and enjoying hot chocolate is a favorite activity. This once again reminds me that doing happy things can be quite simple!
Ran Zlika shares his experience with snow in, “Snow and the Choice of Joy.” Coming from Israel, Zlika remembers his first joyful experiences of snow when he moved to New York, but wait a minute, what about the inconvenience, the shoveling, the slipping, the sliding, the car accidenting?
Snow is a perfect reminder of being able to choose joy in situations, he notes. Once again, he returns to Tel Aviv and especially his children miss the New York snow. And then, he is reminded of the excitement of snow when an unusual event takes place in 2015. It actually snows in Israel for the first time in 50 years and once again it’s novel and exciting.
I guess you could say finding happiness in snow is most often related to its rareness, when it is that.
Finding Happiness in Snow with Beautiful Snowy Scenes and Piano Music
10 Things to do in the Snow That Will Make You Happy!
- Build a Snowman: Engage in a classic winter activity by building a snowman. It’s a fun and creative way to enjoy the snowy weather.
- Go Sledding: Find a nearby hill and go sledding. The thrill of sliding down the snow-covered slope can bring laughter and joy.
- Have a Snowball Fight: Embrace your inner child and have a friendly snowball fight with friends or family. It’s a playful way to enjoy the winter weather.
- Skiing or Snowboarding: If you’re in an area with ski resorts, hit the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding. It’s a great way to combine outdoor activity with the beauty of snowy landscapes.
- Snowshoeing: Explore nature by strapping on some snowshoes and taking a winter hike. It’s a peaceful and scenic way to enjoy the snowy surroundings.
- Make Snow Angels: Lie down in the snow and create snow angels. It’s a simple yet joyful activity that allows you to connect with the winter wonderland.
- Hot Cocoa by the Fireplace: After spending time in the snow, warm up with a cup of hot cocoa by a cozy fireplace. It’s a comforting and satisfying way to end a winter day.
- Capture Winter Scenes: Take a walk with your camera or smartphone and capture the beauty of winter. Photograph snowy landscapes, frosty trees, and any other winter wonders you come across.
- Winter Picnic: Pack a thermos with hot soup or coffee, bundle up, and have a winter picnic in a snow-covered park. Enjoying food in the crisp winter air can be a delightful experience.
- Stargazing in the Snow: On a clear night, venture out to stargaze in the snowy weather. The combination of snow-covered ground and twinkling stars can create a magical atmosphere.
On the Other Hand
Of course, a lot of people don’t like snow, as touched on above. It’s cold, dangerous, messy, ruins things, wrecks roads, closes business, cancels fun things, wrecks cars, wipes out store shelves. Yes, there is a lot to not like about snow. I get it. So, if you really, really, hate snow, try some of these tips out. How To Survive Winter if You Really Really Hate It. Sometimes we have to consciously be happy and just learn to find happiness in snow, even if it doesn’t come naturally.
Resources
For Adults, Snow Days Feel Like Divine Permission to Rest
StudyFind
Snow and the Choice of Joy
How To Survive Winter if You Really Really Hate It
Finding Happiness in Snow – Related Articles, Hacks, Links, and Stuff:
- Get the 38 Hertz Celebration Book, full of things to do every day of the year, even in the winter!
- It’s a great time to enjoy Happy Hack #23: Take a Hot Bath.
- Get my favorite snow boots in the whole wide world! They will last for almost ever! Totally worth the price, you’ll get loads of compliments. Life is short, buy the boots!
Women’s Favorite Snow Boot – Sorel Women’s Boot
Men’s Favorite Snow Boot – Sorel Men’s Boot
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