A MilTeen's Guide to Cold Weather

Four years ago, in mid-January, my family PCSed from coastal California, where it was around 60 degrees all year, to our current home in Upstate New York, where we regularly get multiple feet of snow and occasionally even have to close school simply because it’s too cold for kids to wait at the bus stop.

The transition brought delights and struggles, but I’ve come to love my new home, winter and all. If you’ve just moved or are about to move to a colder place than you’re used to, here are some do’s and don'ts.

Don't: forget to prepare

As silly as it sounds, during the early fall, one can forget that the winter weather is just a month away. It’s best to get all your winter gear before you need it. Research or talk with locals to make sure you’re fully prepared. And don’t forget to prepare your car if you have one— you don’t want to be stuck with no way to scrape the ice off your windshield.

Do: find a way to embrace the season

There are still lots of ways to get outside in the winter. A ski or snowboarding club at your school could be a chance to have fun and learn a cool new skill. Or, if you’re like me and aren't very coordinated, let me tell you a secret: no one’s too old to go sledding.

If you’re more artistically inclined, you could try to make snow sculptures or use the snowy landscape as inspiration for a painting. Even simply pausing to appreciate the unique natural beauty of the bare trees or a fresh snowfall can offer joy.

Don’t: be afraid to get comfy inside

I’m going to be honest here... I have terrible circulation, and my toes are constantly getting cold. So, my favorite way to enjoy winter is by doing inside things, typically things I couldn’t take the time to do during other parts of the year.

Winter is a great time to dedicate a Saturday to tidying, working on a craft, or just watching a movie. And don’t forget to add to the cozy vibes with a warm blanket and a mug of soup or tea.

Do: understand that the weather can have mental health impacts

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) occurs when the decrease in daylight hours causes long-term symptoms of depression throughout the winter. Even for people who don’t have SAD, the lack of sunlight can have an impact on mood.

If you’re new to living in a place with harsher winters, you may find yourself experiencing these struggles for the first time. If this is the case, don’t worry, it’s not just you! Lots of people experience this, and you can seek help by bringing it up to a doctor, counselor, or other trusted adult.

Don’t: lose perspective

The months between Christmas and spring can feel like an eternity, but it’s all part of the yearly cycle, and soon, it will be time to move on to the next thing. Spring really will be here before you know it, and those cold months will make it all the more exciting and beautiful. My favorite thing about winter where I live is that it leads to an awesome progression in the spring, from snowdrops to crocuses and daffodils to a full display of spring flowers. Plus, having a cold winter gives us an awesome fall. Not to brag, but we have some of the best apples and fall foliage in the country.

Even if your winter really is most of the year (shoutout to my friends in Alaska), it can help you find things to look forward to. Whether it's a weekly hangout with your friends or watching your favorite content creator, routines can help ground you and provide a sense of control—even when you can't control the weather.

Whether winter becomes your favorite part of your new duty station, the bane of your existence, or something in between, it's helpful to remember that many aspects of your life will go on just the same, whether it's eight degrees or eighty.