For some, the familiar signs of winter are a blissful reminder of the greatest time of year. Building snowman families, watching the birds fly south, listening to catchy Christmas jingles on the radio and drinking eggnog are among a few of the traditions that symbolize the frigid season. In all honesty, why some praise winter as the best season of the year is beyond me. That's right, I'll be the first to admit that I hate winter. The looks of surprise I receive are as real as my distaste for (almost) everything that comes with this frosty package.
Aside from the symbolic and bountiful holidays celebrated during this season I really don't see what all the hype is about. For those of you who swear left and right that winter is the best of the four seasons, I'll try not to rain on your parade... too much.
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1. Black ice death traps are all over.
I don't know about you, but I prefer not to slip on ice and possibly break something. Black ice isn't confined to handing out sore bottoms; it can cause sprained ankles and other injuries. Navigating around these traps is so worrisome. I consider myself blessed if an entire winter goes by and I haven't had a run-in with this dreaded ice.
2. Being pelted with snow is not fun.
I'm not talking about snowball fights – I'm talking about having giant snowflakes bum rush your already frozen face because the snow is coming down – hard. Sometimes there's nothing you can do, other than to trudge through the messy ground to take care of business. Believe me, I wouldn't set foot outside while the snow is coming down unless I absolutely had to! The colossal snowflakes can impair your vision and make it hard to see where you're walking.
3. Wear (even more) layers.
I like layering and I do love a good, comfy sweater but even that has its boundaries. At some point I get fed up with having to rack on layer after layer after layer of clothing to ensure that I'll be able to withstand the harsh temperature outside. If that isn't annoying enough, a bulky winter jacket is the rotten cherry on top of a stale cake. Yum.
4. Leggings don't always suffice.
Before you call me "basic," I'll have you know that I'm a proud lover of leggings (sticks and stones, my friend). Unfortunately, sometimes the brisk winter demands more than the flexibly comfy bottoms tucked into stylish Uggs. This can be quite the predicament for someone who hates wearing jeans, but that's a story for another time.
5. Rolling out of bed in the morning is the worst.
You're asking me to slump out of the warm and toasty comfort of my bed to begin a not-so warm and toasty day. Nothing like the goosebumps that raise on your arm as you shiver while making your way to the bathroom, right?
6. Winter doesn't always welcome iced lattes.
Anyone who knows me knows that I can drink iced green tea lattes like nobody's business. An iced latte – or iced anything for that matter – may not be the best drink to cozy up to while walking through the already freezing cold air. Call me captain obvious but it certainly won't heat up those hands while you walk back to your dorm. #thesadtruth.
7. Hitting the gym seems like a chore.
I love a good blood-pumping, sweat-producing workout as much as the next guy but if I have to swim through snow, dodge black ice and let my nose freeze before my very eyes to get to a treadmill, then that warm blanket in my room is looking better and better. I'm not trying to make myself sound lazy but it's a societal truth: we are less inclined to do something if there are added costs or obstacles – that's the fine print of life. The treadmill isn't going anywhere, right?
8. 5:00 p.m. is basically 9:00 p.m.
Thanks to Daylight Savings, it gets darker earlier. I don't know about you but, when it's dark out, I like to be in my room on Netflix until I fall asleep rather than outside, having come out of class to find a cold, darkened sky. When it's dark, the closer you are to bed, the happier you'll be.
9. People get you sick.
Everyone around you is drowning in snot-filled tissues and you're struggling to jump that ship. It's no secret that being sick is one of the most undesirable situations you could be in, especially when you have a lot on your plate! It happens to the best of us, though we wish it wouldn't happen at all.
10. It's a sad time for those without proper shelter.
Knowing that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a roof over their heads is a sad feeling. The cold and unforgiving nature of winter makes it seem worse, as those who are without, must work extra hard to salvage what they can, even though they deserve as much as anyone else has. Braving the blustering winds and the arctic chills, while many are surrounded by good fortune and plenty to eat, is more depressing than we might think. Where's the winter wonderland now?
