How to Make the Most of Cold Winter Evenings
It’s that time of year in Missouri when the sun clocks out early, leaving us feeling like it’s midnight by 4:30 p.m. After work and dinner, it’s tempting to throw on your PJs, scroll through your phone, and let the couch swallow you whole until bedtime. Trust me, I get it. The pull of the couch is strong.
But here’s the thing: if dinner’s wrapped up by 6:30 p.m. and getting ready for bed starts around 8:30 p.m., that’s a solid two hours you could use to do something meaningful instead of zoning out. Yes, even on those cold, dark evenings when motivation feels harder to come by.
So what if, instead of hitting autopilot, we made an intentional choice to do something better with that time—something that connects us with our families, keeps us on track with our goals, or lifts our spirits?
The Power of Evening Intentionality
Now, I know not every evening is picture-perfect. Some nights are jam-packed with kid drop-offs and pickups, and let’s be honest, there are nights when you just need to veg out. But on those evenings when you do have time, small, intentional actions can add up to big wins.
You could:
Play a game with your family.
Have a real, unhurried conversation with your partner or kids.
Dive into a good book.
Work on the goals you set for 2025. 😉
Journal. (We’ll talk about this one in a minute because it’s kind of our thing around here.)
A fun thing to do would be to sit down and fill in this blank winter bingo card with simple, fun activities to inspire your evenings. Include ideas like "bake cookies," "have a hot cocoa night," "do a family puzzle," "write in your journal," or "watch a classic winter movie." Keep it on the fridge or a shared space so everyone can contribute and cross off activities as you go. It’s a playful way to stay intentional and make winter nights something to look forward to—without the mental effort of coming up with ideas on the spot!
Why Journaling Is the Perfect Winter Evening Activity
Journaling isn’t just something to do—it’s an activity that checks a lot of boxes. It’s creative, reflective, and even therapeutic. And the best part? Journaling can be as fun and colorful as you want it to be, especially when the winter blues start creeping in.
Here’s how you can make journaling work for your evenings:
1. Journal Together as a Family
Get the kids involved! Journaling doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Set aside 15 minutes in the evening to sit together and write. You could each jot down:
The best part of your day.
Something you’re grateful for.
A funny memory from the week.
Make it even more fun with colorful pens, markers, stickers, or magazine cutouts. Suddenly, journaling becomes less about “checking a box” and more about creating something meaningful and fun together.
2. Use Journaling to Ward Off the Winter Blues
When the days are short and the nights are long, it’s easy to feel a little blah. Journaling is a simple way to shift your mindset. Writing down what you’re grateful for has been shown to boost mood and combat negative feelings—perfect for those darker winter months.
3. Track Your Goals and Stay Motivated
Remember those big 2025 goals you set? Journaling helps you stay on track by breaking them into smaller steps and celebrating your progress along the way. It’s like having your own personal cheerleader on paper.
Make Journaling Fun (It Doesn’t Have to Be Black and White!)
Journaling isn’t one-size-fits-all. It doesn’t have to be a plain notebook with a boring pen. Think of your journal as your creative outlet. Here’s how to make it more engaging:
Use colorful pens, markers, or highlighters.
Add stickers, washi tape, or fun doodles.
Collage with magazine cutouts or photos.
Create colorful spreads if you’re into bullet journaling.
The goal is to make journaling something you want to do, not just another task on your to-do list.
Not Too Late to Grab a Journal
If you’re ready to make the most of your winter evenings, now’s the perfect time to grab one of our journals. Whether you’re looking for:
I Am Intentional Guided Journal: Perfect for aligning your days with purpose and clarity.
Blank Notebooks: Great for free-flow writing and creative expression.
Bullet Journals: Perfect for colorful, organized layouts and goal tracking.
Whatever your style, we’ve got a journal to match.
Final Thoughts
This winter, let’s make those two hours between dinner and bedtime count. Whether it’s journaling, playing games with the family, or simply being intentional about how you spend your time, remember—it’s the little things we do daily that add up to big changes over time.
Grab a warm drink, cozy up with your journal, and let’s make the most of these long winter evenings. Your future self will thank you.
👉 Ready to start journaling? Check out our Amazon Storefront and pick the one that’s perfect for you! Shop Now
Here’s to making this winter meaningful, colorful, and intentional! ❄️✨
Don’t forget your free Winter Bingo download!
