Every January, there’s a general outbreak of post-holiday depression. Christmas is over, everyone goes back to school, and it’s the coldest part of the year. January and February are commonly known as the overall worst months, from their lack of good holidays (literally no one enjoys Valentine’s Day, and what other holidays are there? President’s Day?) to the fact that as soon as you walk outside your face feels like it’s going to freeze off. However, I’m out here to say that January and February are actually the undercover MVP months of the year.

1. There’s literally no pressure to look good.

In the summer, there are some pretty lofty expectations for appearances. A super common part of summer is going swimming, which involves being in a bathing suit, which involves other people being able to see most of your body that probably isn’t what you’d like it to be. Plus, if you’re a girl, you probably feel obligated to keep your legs, armpits, and basically entire body completely hair-free at all times, which is not only borderline impossible but also one of the most tedious tasks to ever exist. In the winter, all that is thrown away. It’s so cold that, logically, a sweatshirt and sweatpants are the best outfit to wear. Leg hair can grow out for weeks without anyone noticing, and it serves another purpose as a layer of insulation under your leggings for those really cold walks to class.

2. It’s okay to be a bum.

Warmer months bring pressure to be active. When it’s beautiful outside, you feel like a total scumbag for staying inside all day watching TV. But when it’s 5 degrees with a windchill of negative 20, not going for a jog is completely justifiable. Plus, packing on the pounds in winter is basically encouraged, what with the onslaught of Christmas cookies, Valentine’s day chocolate, and warm comfort foods that assault you at every turn.

3. Snow is beautiful, in more ways than one.

There are few sights prettier than freshly fallen snow on trees. One sight that is prettier, though, is seeing your school on the news for weather-based school cancellations. Another beautiful snow-related sight is being able to use it as an excuse for literally anything. Late to something? Blame it on the traffic conditions, because “as soon as it snows, no one remembers how to drive.” Don’t feel like going out? “Sorry, my car got snowed in and by the time I shovel it out, it’ll be too late.” If you stretch it far enough, snow is the ultimate excuse, and nothing is more beautiful than a good excuse.

4. Food.

Winter food is the best. What good food is there in the summer? Fruit? Who cares about fruit when you have Christmas cookies? Eating a reheated Oscar Mayer hot dog at a Fourth of July picnic has nothing on sitting down to a chicken pot pie or any kind of soup, both foods that feel too hot and heavy to eat any other time of the year. Sitting down with a warm mug of hot chocolate or curling up with a huge bowl of mac n cheese are pretty sacred activities that also feel winter-exclusive.

So there it is. Winter is actually the best season of the year. Even when it seems like it’ll never end and like you might never be warm again, you have to stay positive and remember that it only gets worse from here.