If you grew up with soggy snow overalls and ice chunks clinging to the inside of your mittens, then you are one of the lucky ones. Sure, waking up during winter break and peering out the window to see the world looking like a snow globe was cool. And even though we spent more time crossing our fingers for snow days than actually experiencing them, we still got more than places without snow at all, right?
But have you ever really considered all of the life-long benefits to growing up with weather conditions that should probably be illegal? We survive in the land where frostbite, hypothermia and arctic winds are a threat more months out of the year than not. We laugh at those who can hardly fathom what negative 30 degree windchill feels like as it freezes our faces and ices our lungs. After all, in the back of our minds we know that those special summer days with heat waves of 100 degrees will thaw us out soon enough. We've been trained our whole lives to cope with the drastic temperature diversity that we endure. As a result we have unique skills, innovative coping methods and personality traits that have shaped who we are today.
To all of us trying to fight the winter blues, let's take a moment to appreciate and celebrate how we have become better humans as a result of our adaptability:
1. We are more resilient:
Growing up with sleet colliding with our cheeks has made us almost immune to pain. We see past the unfavorable circumstances and keep pushing forward. Who needs to feel their fingertips and toes, anyway? Regardless of how many times we've slipped on a patch of black ice, we get up, brush off and continue on. We are built undeniably tough and resilient and we can apply that to every aspect of our lives.
2. We are extremely resourceful and innovative:
We've spent countless hours using natural resources to build things and create fun for ourselves. Our parents told us to go play outside no matter the season, and we did with enthusiasm because each new season offered new possibilities for entertainment. We spent our afternoons embracing snow ball fights, rolling snow into giant spheres to build snow people and packing blocks for the foundation of our snow forts. We know how to create a good time with anything we're given.
3. We are the most optimistic:
From the very first day of kindergarten, we were well aware of how important snowfall was. So every time there was a chance of snow, we waited in front of the television to see the name of our school on the news under the closure category. When it never showed up, we hoped for the next best thing: a delay. No matter how many times we were let down because of course our school was once again the only one still open, we would be just as optimistic when the next snowfall came around.
4. We value sensibility and practicality:
We might have had to learn the hard way that looking good matters significantly less than staying warm. After a few times in middle school of refusing to surrender to snow boots and attempting to keep sporting cute little sandals, we realize that the sensible way is indeed the best way. Don't let others be confused though, we still understand fashion and layering is definitely in right now. At this point, we are professionals when it comes to bundling up and layering the most clothing articles onto one person as possible, and it's totally worth it. Plus, we have the option of being lazy and re-wearing the same sweatshirt all week without anyone knowing.
5. That being said, we are super creative:
After years of wrapping ourselves up like toasty burritos, we have learned the real hidden benefits. As soon as we start going to parties, it's our second nature to creatively utilize every nook in our wardrobe. No one suspects an entire bottle could be stuffed under there when you're already so puffy, anyway. Thank goodness for endless giant pockets and booze blankets.
6. We are some of the best drivers around:
Learning to drive with our temps was either during the winter, or our driving test actually took place in it. If we were lucky, we got out of having to parallel park during our test because the roads were barely plowed. Since then, we have developed a unrivaled talent for getting where we are going, no matter the road conditions. It's our favorite hobby to poke fun at the states who can't drive with less than a dusting on the ground; and when we see a bad driver on our streets, it is assumed they just aren't from around here. We are the real professionals so move out of our way.
7. We don't have to pretend we're "not that hungry":
It's hard to be stingy on calories when we seriously need the extra winter blubber as insulation. Eat all you can, your body temperature will thank you later and no one can judge you for that. Enormous jackets are made to effectively camouflages our winter bods, allowing us to take full advantage of carbo cramming season. This has probably given us the best appetites around.
8. We manage to naturally stay in shape:
Almost like magic, are bodies can morph back to their beach-ready state in no time. What's our secret? Consider that shivering for just 10 minutes can burn around 100 calories. We are truly blessed with a natural alternative to cardio that others should envy.
9. We are able to find dual purpose in rigorous activities:
If we start to feel like our apartments or houses are actually keeping us warm and we're not shivering enough, we don't have to worry because we can get our workouts elsewhere. We don't just "brush off our cars" in the morning, we engage our biceps, triceps, pectorals, shoulder muscles, calves, you name it! Daily routines become far less laborious as we value the multiple benefits that we take away from them.
10. We are easily amused:
Our sense of humor has uniquely developed as we have had to find amusement in the little things. If we spent every day begrudgingly shoveling our driveways or defrosting our windshields, we would live miserable lives. Keeping a light heart and learning to chuckle even when it hurts to breathe in the cold air is a strength of ours. We will always seek out the amusing things to keep a smile on our faces.
11. We have the best coping skills:
We've become indifferent to the fabricated weather forecast because we know that their predictions of snow fall and temperatures can be way off. This has led to our "I'll believe it when I see it" mentality, and though we have to mentally prepare for the worst, we try not to expect it. We just sit back and wait for the extraordinary blizzard that they speak of to hit us. And when it does, we still probably don't believe it until we're stuck on the highway on our way to work later. We cope by remaining calm because allowing ourselves to freak out is just a waste of energy.
12. We are the best employees:
When a blizzard does hit, those of us who actually who show up to work are treated like employees of the year. If it usually takes 20 minutes to get to a job, assume it could take over two hours of bumper to bumper traffic because the roads won't be fully plowed until next week. It doesn't matter how late we are, our boss has to appreciate the fact that we endured the treacherous journey to arrive at all. If we were not the most dedicated and strong willed individuals around, we would have just stayed home and not gone through the trouble. When we finally do show up, we couldn't be more eager to work and finally take cover from the outdoors and be productive.
13. We have a strong sense of community:
A winter cold seems inevitable when half of our friends, coworkers, and classmates are always sick. The good news is that each one of us can relate, and are there to support each other. As annoying as that coughing kid in the back row of the lecture hall is, we've all been there. We understand how it feels to try to suppress your sniffles for a whole two hour lecture. We would rather offer our friends all of our tissues and DayQuil than let them be miserable. (Just kidding, we just hope they get better before we catch it, too).
14. And, that makes us the most dedicated students:
Nothing makes us want to stay in bed all day quite like being sick and it being zero degrees outside. When our nose is running and freezing at the same time, it's honestly hard to know how to handle it. But again, we do it. We are amazing, we are dedicated, and we somehow manage to make it to most of our classes no matter how crappy we feel.
15. We understand the importance of perspective:
The only way to understand how different 45 degrees feels in October compared to how it feels in January, is to live through it. We are stripping off our layers as soon as the sun is out and the thermometer hits the 40's in the winter, because it honestly feels like 70. It is magical, extraordinary. We can use that to keep us positive, to show us that perspective makes all the difference in any given situation.
So until the summer months arrive, we will keep our heads up and remember that everything is temporary. We honestly wouldn't have become who we are today without the experiences that have shaped our characters into the awesome humans that we are. Whether we end up spending our lives here, or moving to somewhere that is warm enough to never have to shovel again, we will always appreciate how much better we are because of extreme temperature diversity.
