Soft Girl Winter Challenge

I’ve really been enjoying leaning into the seasonal joys in this series of 4-week challenges, and I hope you have, too! Now that we’ve done Healthy Girl Summer and Cozy Girl Fall, it’s time for Soft Girl Winter. After the busyness of the holidays, it feels so good to slow down and settle into this season of rest and reflection. It’s the perfect time to set the tone and cultivate the mindful, intentional practices that will be your foundation throughout the year. This Soft Girl Winter guide includes 28 simple, meaningful ideas to help you reconnect with yourself, spark creativity, and find joy in this season’s quiet beauty.

Week One: Embrace the stillness

• Watch the sunrise: With the sun rising later in the morning, especially in early winter, it’s a little easier to wake up in time to catch the quiet first moments of sunlight.
• Start the day by reading a poem: Swap your morning scroll for a few lines of poetry to start the day with something beautiful. Anything by Mary Oliver is usually a great choice! 
• Try a body scan meditation: Close your eyes and take a few minutes to check in with each part of your body and let go of any tension you’ve been holding on to. 
• Have a hibernation day: Imagine the coziest possible day at home and make it happen! Stay in your pajamas all day, have a reading or movie marathon, take a luxurious bath, whatever your cozy heart craves.
• Listen to calming instrumental music: Whether you prefer some mellow lo-fi, gentle piano, or classical, find a playlist of instrumental tunes that help you slow down and relax.
• Bundle up & go stargazing: Another perk of those longer nights is more time to see the stars! Fill a thermos with hot chocolate or mulled wine and find a place to enjoy the night sky.
• Do your evening routine by candlelight: Set the ultimate vibes for your nighttime wind-down by dimming the lights and lighting a few candles.

Week Two: Create your own warmth & light

• Try a soothing heat therapy practice: Wrap yourself in an extra fuzzy blanket, pop into your gym’s sauna, or give yourself a little massage with warm stones.
• Host a cafe day at your home: Plate some pastries, practice your latte art, and invite your friends for a cozy coffeehouse date right at home 
• Bake something with lots of warming spices: Fill your kitchen with the smells of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves and enjoy the delicious results.
• Donate your old coats: Spread the gift of warmth by giving your gently used coats and winter accessories to a local shelter or charity 
• Make a cup of fresh ginger tea with honey and lemon: Use that leftover ginger from yesterday’s stir fry to make this spicy-sweet drink that will warm you from the inside out.
• Cook a nourishing meal that brings back happy memories: Take the time to make something that warms both your belly and your heart, maybe your favorite meal from childhood or your aunt’s famous mac n’ cheese. 
• Gather around a fire: Fire up the fireplace or take it outside to the fire pit and enjoy the glowing warmth. Bonus points if you make s’mores, which you definitely should. 

Week Three: Get crafty & creative

• Do a small DIY home project: Refresh your space with a quick and easy project like peel n’ stick countertops, a handmade art piece, or an accent wall. 
• Make your own bookmark: Reading time feels extra special with a little handmade bookmark and I had so much fun making these ones with my book club! 
• Give your clothes new life with embroidery: Find a tutorial on YouTube and turn one of your basic pieces like an old t-shirt or a pair of jeans into a one-of-a-kind favorite. Your friends will be so impressed!
• Make valentines for the girls: Gather all the glitter and pink and red art supplies, and surprise your friends with sweet, homemade cards.
• Do a craft project you loved as a kid: Did you love playing with polymer clay or making friendship bracelets? Make some time to let your inner child play. 
• Try an art therapy exercise: Get creative and process your feelings at the same time! 
• Host a crafternoon: Break out the craft supplies, set up your favorite snacks, and enjoy a fun afternoon getting creative with your friends.

Week Four: Plant seeds for Spring

• Try a visualization exercise: Close your eyes and imagine your perfect day or visualize yourself achieving one of your goals. What does it feel like?
• Start learning a new skill:  Start learning a new language for your big trip, pick up a new instrument, or reconnect with one of your passions.
• Choose a word or phrase as your theme for the year: Think about how you want this year to feel and how you want to grow as a person.
• Start one new small habit: Add one little thing — like stretching, journaling, or a daily walk around the neighborhood — that makes life feel a little brighter.
• Get a head start on spring cleaning: Pick one area of your home to declutter and enjoy how good it feels to create some space 
• Start reading a personal growth book: Snuggle up with a book that inspires you to grow and imagine new possibilities for the year ahead. 
• Give your plants some TLC: Give your houseplants some love by dusting off their leaves or repotting the ones that have outgrown their current homes.

I hope this challenge helps you find moments of warmth of self care and embrace the softness and peace that can make winter a truly restorative season. Let me know your favorite thing about this time of year in the comments!