So many of my friends jetted off to warmer climes this winter – Mexico, the Maldives, the Dominican Republic. The usual pangs of wanderlust tugged at me, but my feet remained firmly planted in the ice and snow. Instead of packing my bags and heading south, I opted for a staycation.

My decision to stay put wasn’t based entirely on some deep-rooted love of winter. A quick peek at my bank account and the fact my car was sliding all over the place on the icy roads made it clear that I needed to redirect my funds toward replacing the worn-out tires on my car. Yep, the longest trek of my winter getaway consisted of a seven-kilometre drive to a local movie theatre on some reliable new wheels.

I still had a great week. Rather than feeling like I was missing out, I chose to dive into a staycation that focused on self-care, productivity, and crossing off long-neglected tasks on my ever-growing to-do lists.

The Needle List

If you’ve never heard of a “needle list,” it’s basically a collection of those small, “needling” tasks that only take minutes to do, but are repeatedly put off. They linger in the back of your mind, nagging you with their unfinished business, so much so that we spend more time thinking about the job than actually finishing it!

You know the ones I mean: cleaning out that kitchen junk drawer, putting away the pile of clothing stacked on a chair in the bedroom, sending that thank-you note you’ve been meaning to write, or fixing the clasp on Oma’s heirloom necklace.

For me, these little jobs had started to add up, so I was determined to tackle some during my staycation. I started by working ahead on some content for my cat, Mocke who recently joined Instagram. (If you’re into feline adventures, give her a follow @mocke_mews). I treated myself to a facial, wrote and mailed a birthday card, framed and hung a few photos and even started planning for a big trip I’m taking next year.

The Honey-Do List

I also tackled my honey-do list, a collection of bigger jobs like painting the hallway. A huge undertaking to say the least! The prep work alone – sanding, cleaning, priming – ate up a lot of time, but it felt good to finally cross it off the list. I got shelves made. I worked ahead on the podcast I host, Wild About Wildlife. If you haven’t heard it yet, shameless plug here: find it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Music. Oh, and I had the pleasure of taking part in a test flight of a new wildlife ambassador that now calls Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre, home.

Are my “honey-do” and “needle” lists any shorter? Of course not. As soon as one task was checked off, there was another ready to take its place. But that’s okay. There’s a certain pride in completing something. Progress vs perfection, right?

And that sense of accomplishment? It was the perfect way to start the year, uncluttered, unfettered, and productive.

A Winter Wonderland

It wasn’t all work and no play, though. I made sure to mix in some fun throughout the week. I got together with friends, went to the movies, took long walks, and spent time soaking up the sun on the coldest, but sunniest, week of the winter. There’s something magical about winter sunshine. The crisp air feels so fresh, and the snow glistens. Winter may not be my favourite season, but if you’re open to it, there’s a quiet beauty to be found.

So, What About You?

Did you manage to escape to warmer places this winter? Maybe you spent your days soaking up tropical rays or skiing down snowy slopes. If you stayed home, how did you make your winter holiday special? Did you tackle your own needle or honey-do lists?

Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear about your winter adventures (or lack thereof) and what’s next on your to-do lists!