Just relocated? Here’s how you can survive your first snow.
As you might expect when moving to abroad, the weather is the biggest cultural shock you might experience. Your first winter can feel like a whole new world, especially you’ve lived all your life in warm and tropical climates. But with a few adjustments in your mindset, wardrobe, and daily rhythm, you can move from dreading it to genuinely enjoying it. Here’s how to embrace the cold season, stay warm, and even find joy in it:
1. Expect To Be Shocked
Your first snow will feel like a surprise, no matter how much you’ve read about it or prepared before moving from Nigeria to Canada or Nigeria to USA. Maybe it happens as you’re walking home and notice flakes drifting under the streetlights. Maybe you wake up one morning to find everywhere unrecognizably white. There’s an undeniable thrill in those first moments, however you’ll learn that snow isn’t soft for long. Once you walk on it, it turns into ice or slush. The roads get slick, your breath fogs your glasses, and your hands go numb if you forget your gloves. It’s perfectly normal to feel a bit awe and the discomforted. Instead of fighting that discomfort, acknowledge it. Like any new experience, it takes time to adjust. Remind yourself: thare are many people who’ve livd through snow every year and many of them actually love it. You’ll get there too.
2. Invest In The Right Gear
There’s a need to want to stay fashionable during the winter, but don’t do it. If you show up unprepared or underestimate how cold it can be, you’ll hate it. Aim to dress for it properly, start with a good winter coat, ideally something insulated, water-resistant, and long enough to cover your thighs. A high collar and hood help too, especially when the wind bites.
Here’s a checklist to start with:
- Winter coat: Look for one that’s water-resistant and windproof. Down or synthetic insulation keeps you warm even when it’s freezing.
- Layering pieces: Wear thermal underwear, fleece pullovers, and wool sweaters underneath your winter coat. Layering helps you keep warm and trap heat.
- Waterproof boots: Invest in waterproof boots with good grip and wool socks. Snow soaks regular sneakers fast, so buy boots with good traction and insulation.
- Accessories: Add gloves, a hat that covers your ears, and a scarf you can wrap around your neck or mouth on freezing days.
- Moisturizer and lip balm: The cold, dry air will make your skin cry for help.
At first, you might feel bulky or clumsy, but it’s important to know it’s not about fashion or how good you look. It’s surviving the cold, and with the right gear, you can stay warm.
3. Learn How To Layer
What makes dressing for winter is how well you layer. Think of it as a three-step process:
- Base layer: A thin thermal top and bottom that will keep sweat from your skin. Don’t wear cotton as a base layer, as it holds moisture and makes you colder.
- Middle layer: Wear something warm like fleece or wool that traps heat.
- Outer layer: For this layering, work with a coat or jacket that blocks wind, snow, and rain.
Be flexible with your layering and remember you can remove a layer if you’re too warm, like when you go indoors, maybe to a cafe or store. Always check the weather forecast before heading out. A mild winter day might feel fine in the morning, but can turn brutal by afternoon.
4. Master The Little Winter Hacks That Locals Know
Winter changes how you move, drive, and even walk. Sidewalks can be slippery, and snow piles up on curbs, making everyday tasks a little more difficult. So you have to learn to adjust:
- Walking: Take smaller steps and plant your feet firmly. Ice can be sneaky, especially when it looks like wet pavement.
- Driving: If you must drive, clear all snow off your car and even from the roof. Keep an emergency kit with a blanket, snacks, and a small shovel.
- Commuting: Plan for delays. Snowstorms can slow public transport or shut things down entirely. Always have a backup plan, or start your day hours ahead.
When indoors, use your home’s heating system and keep your windows closed tightly, and if it’s especially cold, let your taps drip slightly to prevent pipes from freezing. Keep a mat by your door for snowy boots because floors are a slip hazard.
5. Feed The Warmth
Cold weather changes how your body works. Like you’ll start to burn more calories just trying to stay warm. You might even start craving more hearty meals and hot drinks. Eat soups, stews, and baked dishes to stay warm inside. Remember to stock up on essentials like ginger, cinnamon, cocoa, and tea.
And of course, drink a lot of water. You might not feel as thirsty in the cold, but indoor heating can dry you out quickly. Keep a water bottle nearby and sip often. Sometimes, take a hot mug of cocoa, tea, or coffee while watching snow fall outside.
6. Winter Blues Are Real
When it’s cold, it’s easy to feel slower, less motivated, or unusually tired. Shorter days and gray skies mean less sunlight, which can affect your mood. It’s called seasonal affective disorder(SAD), and it’s very common if you’re new to a cold climate.
Get outside during daylight whenever possible. Even weak sunlight helps regulate your mood. Taking quick walks or staying active can make a big difference, too. Keep your space bright. Open blinds, light candles, or use a light therapy lamp. Winter isolation can sneak up on you, so schedule calls, dinners, or movie nights with friends. It’s even the perfect chance to reconnect with your loved ones back home.
7. Enjoy The Beauty Of Winter
Once you get past the initial shock, winter offers a kind of beauty no other season can. During winter, the air feels sharper, cleaner. Try stepping outside after a fresh snowfall. And then, of course, there are winter activities. From building your first snowman to trying ice skating, skiing, or sledding, there’s plenty to explore. Even a simple walk in the snow can be refreshing.
If you’re creative, winter weather can inspire you. There are a lot of things to gush about, like the changing light and textures from frosted windows to glittering branches.
8. Create A Cozy Winter Routine
Cold weather is a chance to embrace cultures, the art of coziness, to slow down, reflect, and find joy in stillness. It’s an invitation to rest. So build small rituals that make winter enjoyable;
- Think soft blankets, candles, a good book, or a slow Sunday morning with pancakes.
- Light candles in the evening.
- Play soft music or read under a blanket.
- Watch the snow fall while sipping something warm.
- Wear fuzzy socks unapologetically
- Drink hot chocolate after a walk or journal with tea before bed.
Once you stop fighting the stillness of the cold, you’ll start to appreciate it.
9. Prepare For The Thaw
By the time spring comes, you’ll realise how much you’ve adapted. You’ll have your winter routine down to your boots by the door, gloves in your pocket, and tea always ready. Even with the first signs of warmth coming, you might even miss the snow a little; from the crisp air, the quiet mornings, the sparkle of frost on rooftops
Your first snow would be small joys that you make it to be; the first time you saw it fall, the first time you built a snowman, the first morning you realised you weren’t cold anymore. And when you finally learn to survive it, you will find yourself celebrating it, slowing down, finding the beauty in it. Because once you’ve learned to love winter, you’ll go about it with ease.
