When I think about spring, the word ‘change’ immediately comes to mind. The days are gradually longer, flowers begin to bloom, and the season itself aligns with the new year period – a time of reflection, fresh starts, and let’s be honest, a desperate attempt to revive our motivation.

In all fairness, I completely understand how hard it is to feel optimistic about spring when January offers nothing but relentless rain, biting winds and deadlines piling up, like the laundry that you meant to do last week. But this Lent term, I am choosing to embrace the energy of spring even while winter lingers on. So, here are a few things that have been helping me to navigate the midwinter slump that I can recommend.

“January offers nothing but relentless rain, biting winds and deadlines piling up, like the laundry that you meant to do last week”

Buy yourself a plant or a bouquet of flowers

Not only do they make your room look more aesthetic, which is never a bad thing, but watching them grow day by day can be surprisingly uplifting. The purple tulips on my window sill have been great visual reminders of spring’s approach. Plus, watering them gives me a small but tangible sense of control, which is very needed when Cambridge life can feel so overwhelming and chaotic.

Go outside

Even when you don’t feel like it – go outside! I know – it’s cold, sunlight is rare, and the idea of leaving somewhere with central heating seems ridiculous. But stepping outside, even for a short walk, can make all the difference. Last Lent term, one of my favourite weekend escapes from town was a morning trip to Grantchester; trust me, breathing in fresh air, and stopping for a coffee at the Orchard Tea Garden made it worth the effort. For those in the middle of an essay crisis or drowning in problem sheets, a quick stroll by the River Cam works too. Watching ducks, swans or tourists struggling to punt makes a great study break, bonus points if it is from the unrivalled view point of the Trinity Hall Wall.

The delights of the indoors

If you cannot handle the cold, don’t worry – I have the perfect place for you: Kettle’s Yard. It might seem unusual to seek out nature within the walls of an art gallery, but hear me out! Besides stunning art pieces, Jim and Helen Ede collected many natural objects including pebbles, shells and seeds. My favourite is the bridge area, which links the two cottages, and houses the conservatory. Especially at sunset, bathed in golden light streaming through its two large windows, the conservatory, lush with greenery, feels truly magical, the perfect antidote for some of those winter blues.

“Two things that keep me going during midwinter and are pretty much instant mood boosters: sugar and sunlight”

Simple delights

Two things that keep me going during midwinter and are pretty much instant mood boosters: sugar and sunlight. Evening baking sessions or just brewing a fruity tea are great small acts of self care, especially when the weather feels just that little bit too bleak for going out. And when the sun does make an appearance, I take full advantage – whether it is going for a walk in town or just standing outside the library for a few minutes between study sessions. On gloomier days, I trick my body into believing I’m getting some sunlight by relying on Vitamin D tablets, but often a sweet treat and some real sunshine will suffice in breaking the winter slump.

For me, embracing midwinter is not about setting unrealistic goals or planning a total life overhaul. It’s about finding small things that make the winter days a little more bearable, and giving myself constant reminders that spring will arrive soon. Maybe that just means changing your phone wallpaper to something that screams spring or taking a moment to appreciate that sunrise is creeping earlier each morning. As I write this, I glance over my shoulder – the morning sun is peeking through my window and I can feel that spring is on its way.

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