There is no reason to feel sad this winter

Do you remember how in summer there were so many things to do. Everyday, you could play outside until 9 pm or later like I did. Now that it is becoming winter with the skies getting darker and the air getting colder, some people might get a bit bored or sad. I heard that they call this Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). In my neighborhood, for example, I rarely see kids outside anymore after school. I hope they are not getting sad or SAD. Most kids (and maybe some adults) might not know what to do during these months but I’m here to tell you that winter is a good time to “cherish the simple joys of life.”

Here are some fun activities to keep from getting sad over the winter holidays:

Many families get together over the holidays where they eat dinner and play games. Relatives from all over might visit and there is sure to be a lot of love, joy and laughter.

Other families might spend their holiday break going on a vacation. Perhaps they will go to a brighter and warmer place like Hawaii or Arizona. It’s hard to be sad when sightseeing new places.

Of course, we can’t forget about New Year’s Eve this year (On Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024). The new year is so exciting! It’s a time to celebrate and cherish the past year. We can also get excited for the year to come. Stay positive and hope for the best like I do.

I plan to enjoy the holidays with my family, which reminds me about some fun indoor games I might play. There are so many fun activities that other families probably do during winter, but for me, I’m looking forward to fun board games and holiday crafts. Some families sing and dance to holiday music. Others enjoy cooking huge dinners or baking cookies and brownies. Watching a classic movie is a favorite thing my family does.

I know I said that you can avoid getting sad during the winter by doing fun things indoors, but there are actually enjoyable things to do outdoors even though it is cold and dark. Shopping is a fun activity according to my mother and sister. They love going to Washington Square Mall.

Then, when it’s not raining, we take our dogs out on long walks down Powerline Park. And if we get lucky and it snows, then that will be the happiest time of all. I’ll be outside all day making snowmen, throwing snowballs, riding my sled and even building an igloo (I’m wearing pink in the photo).

Conclusion: All in all, we can’t avoid the dark and cold this winter but that doesn’t mean we have to be bored and sad. The winter holidays can be enjoyed both indoors and outdoors, especially when you have family and friends around. But even if you don’t, you can still cherish the simple joys of life. Hot coco, a warm blanket and a good movie are other things I look forward to. What winter activities are you looking forward to?

Kanako Wong is an 8th grader this year at Highland Park Middle School. In her free time she enjoys running, playing the flute, and photography.