Winter Takes Willpower

I don’t know if you noticed, but it’s winter. Okay, maybe it’s not winter where you are, but it’s winter here in Indiana, and it’s been rougher than wearing nothing but burlap boxers while you ride a bronco. Too much? I think not. Because winter takes willpower, and willpower is hard to come by.

According to psychologists, we only have a certain amount of willpower each day. Did you know that? I think it’s fascinating.

See, willpower and decision-making are actually limited resources. We can only resist that tempting baked good or decide between peanut butter brands so many times in one day before we lose the ability to even. Call it task saturation, decision fatigue, or Over It Syndrome, whatever you want, but we physically and emotionally can only make ourselves do so much.

It’s the one thing that experts like The Lazy Genius and your minimalist second cousin Tad, who lives in a tiny house in the forest, can agree on: reducing decisions and clutter and forced activities makes us happier. That’s why Mark Zuckerberg wears the same t-shirt every day. Reduce the number of decisions and the times you have to exert willpower, and you’ll have more brain and heart space to do things that matter.

But the problem is that certain seasons of life, both literal and metaphorical, require more decisions and willpower.

And winter, for me, takes the cake. And the cookies. And the hot chocolate. Candy canes, too. And the…okay, you get the idea, right?

The first problem is the weather. It’s both cold and dark. One of those I can handle, but both? It’s the one-two punch from hell (after it froze over.) It’s hard to get out of bed in the morning because it’s cold. I don’t want to leave the house because I don’t want my skin to crack open like a croissant. I hate getting out of the shower because there’s never enough hot water to actually be warm. And the general grey-ness of the stupidly short days is just completely demoralizing.

And don’t even get me started on the decisions! Buying presents, choosing what to wear to parties, avoiding all the treats and sugar, making plans when I don’t want to leave my pajamas, dealing with inevitable sickness and the “should I spread my germs or stay home” thoughts that follow—it’s all completely exhausting! There’s just so much to stress about!

Today, and I promise I’m not making this up, I was standing in the grocery store, exhaustedly trying to choose a brand of protein bar. I was sleepy, cold, and annoyed about having to leave my house. Suddenly, a voice from two aisles over exclaimed, “Ugh! Tell my mama I love her—I’m outta here!” Well, I have possibly never related to anything more in my life.

All of this is to say that winter takes willpower, and I am already sick of it. Aren’t you? Just two to three more months to get through, though, right? I’m sure it’ll be fine. And if you’re one of those obnoxious people who lives somewhere without winter…well, good for you, pal. Enjoy it, knowing full well that the rest of us are suffering.

Now, the experts say you can refill your decision-making and willpower tanks by doing relaxing, stress-reducing things. Like taking a nap, crossing a small task off your list, or going for a walk (if you can handle the cold.) Clearly, we can all tell that I need to start incorporating some of these things into my life.

So I’m wondering: what do you do when winter takes your willpower? How do you refill your tank when it’s cold, grey, and stressful out? I’d love to hear your thoughts!