Some people love winter while others hate it. For me, I love and hate it.
Winter, especially in Ohio, can be unpredictable, frigid, cozy and fun all at the same time. We have beautiful days, such as Jan. 9, where the high was 66.4 degrees Fahrenheit, and others where it drops to 19 to zero degrees Fahrenheit, which occurred Monday. But mostly, winter is known as one of the coldest times of the year with different varying lows being reached across the globe.
Emma Edwardson, the associate director at Scalia Lab, said winter weather in the United States comes from a battle between two air masses. One mass travels from the North Pole, and the other comes from the Gulf of Mexico. This clashing of air masses makes it tough for meteorologists to predict during this time of the year what exactly the weather will be.
This uncertainty is not only felt by meteorologists but also by the average person. Some people often underdress for the cold and snowy weather, because they expect it to be warmer or not even snow. This unpredictability may cause some people to risk it and travel when they should not, because they do not believe the roads will get that bad.
“A lot of times, even if the models are saying we are going to get a snowstorm, if that parameter doesn't reach the level it needs to, we're not going to get that snowstorm after all,” Edwardson said.
These unexpected, freezing situations may cause winter to get a bad rap for some; however, this isn’t the only reason. The cold is also extremely unwelcoming.
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 57% of people prefer to live in hot climates, while 29% enjoy residing in the cold. I believe this statistic largely comes from the mental health effects of chilly environments.
The National Institute of Health identifies this as seasonal affective disorder, which is caused by lower serotonin and vitamin D from less sunlight and high melatonin levels from oversleeping. People feel more inclined or forced to stay in to avoid the cold, leading to excessive sleep. This is another large reason people say they hate winter. No one likes to feel down.
I understand where people are coming from when they cite these reasons, because I feel the same way. It sucks having to deal with the cold and darker days; however, call me crazy, but I always find myself still looking forward to winter.
Even though there are a lot of bad parts of winter, there are a lot of good parts too. During the cold months, a variety of holidays occur, such as Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, New Year’s and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Holidays give the opportunity to visit loved ones and take time off from work and school, which is always nice. Just thinking about having the time to catch up with family and friends I have not seen in a while excites me.
In addition, the aesthetics of this season are unmatched. It’s the time of year for elaborate holiday displays, beautifully crafted hot drinks and winter fashion. According to a previous report by The Post, the layering aspect of winter fashion allows people to stay warm and stylish while rocking beanies, sweaters and knitted sweaters. Every year, without fail, I find myself checking online to see when people start embracing these traditions. They never fail to make me smile.
According to the National Weather Service, this past weekend, we were set to receive about a foot of snow in Athens. This was perfect for people looking to sled down Jeff Hill, get into a snowball fight or even take aesthetically appealing photos of the white landscape. All of these are fun things to do and things I personally look forward to every year.
With so many good aspects to this season, I feel that, unlike most people, I am unable to say I hate the winter. I may look forward to it, but, like most, I still dread the cold, ice and snow. To me, the only proper way to identify how I feel about this time of year is to call it a love-hate relationship.
The main reason why I look at winter like this is that a person's mindset matters for deciding how they will frame something in their head. According to a blog published in SELF by Julia Ries Wexler, a health psychologist who moved to Norway, where from November to January the sunsets don’t rise, Norwegians were not affected by the season due to their mindsets.
This is why I say I have a love-hate relationship with the season. By saying this, I am acknowledging there are still bad parts, but good things I look forward to. Only oneself can determine how they frame any time of the year, which is why approaching the winter with this perspective is important.
So, I challenge everyone to take a step back and think about what is good about winter. Then, instead of focusing on having to be bundled up in a heavy puffer jacket, think about what good is happening or is to come.
Winter is not in any way perfect, but by choosing to see its beauty alongside its challenges, it becomes a season I cannot help but appreciate.
Drew Hoffmaster is a sophomore studying journalism at Ohio University. Please note the opinions expressed in this column do not represent those of The Post. Want to talk to Drew Hoffmaster about his column? Email them at dh384223@ohio.edu.
