Fun winter projects

Winter's my least favourite season, I'm really not a winter person at all. I come from a country where winters are cold and long with lots of snow and I used to find it so depressing at times that it made me cry and feel that I was held a prisoner by the snow and cold and that there was no way out. I think it's quite safe to say that I have seasonal affective disorder but I'm also happy to say that living in London where winters are quite mild has cured me of it. Mostly.

I still find that winter makes me want to hibernate a bit, you know that feeling when you just want to curl up under your duvet and never get out of bed till it's March and there's some spring in the air? Doesn't exactly spell exciting so I'm thinking that having some projects to work on during these winter months would be a good way to distract myself from thinking about the dark and cold so much and would give me something fun to do.

So I've put my thinking cap on, as you do. Think of fun projects to do, think of fun projects to do... What do I really like doing? What do I like doing so much that I lose track of time and don't want to stop? I'm a crafty person, I like creating things. I could knit for all eternity but turns out I have a trapped nerve in my right elbow which means that I can knit in very small chunks of time only. I need to work on healing that nerve and do the exercises I've been told to do, that should be one of my projects. Doesn't sound like much fun... Maybe I'll have it as a side project.

Three projects spring to mind:

First, starting a new sewing project: this is actually on my list of goals for 2015, starting a new sewing project every other month, starting in February, so is something I was planning to do anyway. Brilliant. I've had to substitute knitting with sewing as a creative outlet but as I quite enjoy sewing, this is going to be a good project.

Choosing my next sewing project. What would I like to do next...?

Second, finding a flat to buy: I'm in a fortunate position to be able to buy in London. Just about, something stamp sized. I've been looking for quite some time now but have to admit I've been pretty useless about this. It's a big commitment. London is a huge place, it's impossible to know every area. The London property market has gone mental in the past year. Enter another excuse here why I haven't been more active about this. I did put in an offer on a flat but I suspect mine was one of about 25 and just wasn't high enough. Couldn't help it, I couldn't have afforded to pay any more for it than I offered. The market has calmed down a bit so now's the time. I must think of the end result; my own place, no annoying flat mates, just me, just ME, ah... Yes, I still live in shared accommodation. It often makes me feel like I've totally failed as a person but then I look back and realise that I've moved about quite a bit, I never felt permanent enough in one place before to think about buying. Not to mention that I've only recently had enough money for a deposit which may need to be quite a substantial sum of money. So this is a most appropriate project for this winter. Not something I enjoy so much that I don't want to stop but hey, life's not all just fun. But maybe it should be? Maybe I need to change my attitude about this project and look at it in a way that makes it super fun? Hmmm.... that deserves some consideration. I must concentrate on the end result and how much fun it will be.

One of my latest recipe discoveries, a red lentil and chorizo soup by BBC Good Food. Most tasty and perfect for those cold winter nights.

Third, trying out new recipes: I tend to stick to 4-5 tried and tested recipes and forget everything else. Are you the same? Well, it's time to broaden my culinary horizons. The trick here is not to broaden my own physical horizons but to find delicious healthy recipes that won't cause me to expand. I just recently found a new blog called Deliciously Ella, she's been in the UK press quite a bit lately and all her recipes are vegetarian, gluten free and sugar free so I should be able to find something to cook easily. This is also a good winter project because it'll be summer sooner than we know it, meaning skimpy clothes etc, etc. Best start preparation now before panic settles in.

Sounds good, no? I'm quite happy with my projects, I'm sure they'll keep me suitably busy till all of a sudden I notice that it's spring, it's warm, the sun's out, flowers are blooming and birds are singing...

If you're one of those people who love winter and enjoy winter sports - good for you. I wish I was like you. As it happens I don't enjoy even looking at pictures of snow. So far it's been a good winter in London, it was snowing for about 2 minutes the weekend before last. Fingers crossed this will last.

Time to start searching for some flats to view this weekend, wouldn't you say? Oh yes.

What projects could you work on during the winter months to make the time pass quickly till spring?