Photo by Roman Kraft
So winter is here—and even those of you who don’t mind the cold and spend plenty of time outdoors are more than likely nesting a bit. That doesn’t have to mean becoming a complete sofa spud. There are plenty of things you can do in your comfy, cozy home that will keep the cabin fever at bay and help you end each day with a sense of satisfaction—and by the time things thaw out, you may be amazed at what you’ve achieved in the darker months
Photo by Phillipp Torres
Photo by Faizur Rehman
FUN WITH ART
Creativity isn’t some trait that’s reserved for Special People. Nor does it matter whether or not your creations are museum-quality flawless. What matters is the lovely impact these pursuits have on your brain and mood. The doing is its own reward, although you may well find that you’re better at it than you expected, especially with a bit of study. (YouTube is great for instruction in just about anything these days.)
VISUAL ARTS. Get yourself a sketchbook and a set of charcoal pencils, or some clay and a basic set of sculpting tools, or—if the idea ignites something in your soul—invest in an easel and paints or a potter’s wheel. Study some basic methods and browse the plethora of available images to see what strikes your interest; go someplace fascinating with your camera and make some inspiring images from scratch, and then use your new materials to translate what you see with your own hands. Try:
Catskill Art Supply, Kingston
Woodstock School of Art, Woodstock
DIGITAL ARTS. Ever explore the painting and drawing options on your computer? It may take a little practice to get comfortable with the program’s tools and options, but playing with all the choices of shapes, colors, lines, and fonts is fun in itself. Create goofy stuff that makes you giggle. Make a beautiful rendition of a favorite poem, then take your camera out and
Creativity isn’t some trait that’s reserved for Special People. Nor does it matter whether or not your creations are museum - quality flawless.
Photo by Rockwood
Photo by Nadia Clabassi
create the perfect background image. Do a series of portraits of your pet, or photograph the sunset at the same time every day for a week and see what you get. Try your hand at video production. Whether you decide to share the results with the world or just make fun greetings to send to your favorite people is up to you. Try:
The Art Effect, Poughkeepsie
FIBER ARTS. Did you know that knitting and crocheting release serotonin and dopamine, the feel-good chemicals that’ll improve your mood and blood pressure from the inside out? That’s right—the solution to the winter blues might be as close as your nearest yarn shop. Here too, you’ll need to get the basic methods sorted, but once you do, you’ve got a hobby that can have gorgeous, useful results.
You can get that same natural high from weaving or embroidery. Weave yourself a cool beaded wall hanging. Experiment with dyeing or batik, or teach yourself to work with reeds and canes and try making a basket—there are beginner kits out there that will give you a feel for the process and ensure that you have exactly what you need at hand. Try:
Circle Creative Collective, New Paltz
Fall Kill Creative Works, Poughkeepsie
NayNu, Margaretville
Photo by Alice Pasqual
Photo by Adam Wilson
Photo by Andy Chilton
FUN WITH FOOD
BECOME A TEA MAVEN. There are so many varieties of tea; you might even want to experiment with blending some bulk herbs and spices to create your very own. Try:
Stinging Nettle Apothecary, Catskill
TRY YOUR HAND AT MAKING BEER OR WINE. There are starter kits and instructional videos aplenty; humans have been doing this for centuries, and you can too. Or buy some snazzy ingredients and invent a craft cocktail. Reading the recipes of the rock stars among us will give you a sense of what might go well together, but nothing says you can’t improvise.
Baking became a common pursuit during the pandemic precisely because it’s so satisfying.
BAKE UP SOME TREATS. Baking became a common pursuit during the pandemic precisely because it’s so satisfying. If you’ve never baked, try something simple to start—cookies or crispy rice concoctions. You can decide whether the enchantment of popping ingredients into the oven and withdrawing something yummy motivates you to take it to the next level with cakes, breads, and pie crusts. Try:
The Kitchen Cheetah, Margaretville
THE JOY OF LEARNING
Photo by Petr Sidorov
Photo by Nick Morrison
Photo by Kelly Sikkema
SOMETHING NEW. A vast variety of in person and online courses are available for free, from history and science to crystal healing, divination methods or even boat building. Try:
Hudson River Maritime Museum, Kingston
Dreaming Goddess, Poughkeepsie
Crystal Connection, Wurtsboro
Ritualist, New Paltz
MIND PLAY. Spark creativity and challenge your mind with a new hobby! Discover a wide selection of games, puzzles, and other engaging local activities. Try:
Chicory Naturalist, Kingston
Green Cottage, High Falls
Handmade & More, New Paltz
Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz
Montgomery Row, Rhinebeck
Moose Crossing, Shokan
Sacred Soil, Margaretville
Shops at Emerson, Mount Tremper
Tannersville Works, Tannersville
Tender Land Home, Phoenicia
The Nest Egg, Phoenicia
Photo by Unseen Studio
Photo by Anastasia Zhenina
READ. Revisit a book you loved as a kid, see if an author whose work you like has other titles out there, pick up a biography of someone you admire or loathe. You can do this via e-reader or audiobook, or go all in and get a hard copy—it does add another layer of cozy to the experience. Try:
Blue Heron Books, HIgh Falls
Postmark Books, Rosendale
TAKE UP AN INSTRUMENT. Unleash your inner musician and learn to play a new instrument! Our local music stores offer a variety of lessons and instruments to help you get started. Try:
CHBO Drums, New Paltz
Vincitore's Piano Center, Poughkeepsie
START A COLLECTION. Antiques, stamps, coins, and sports cards all have entire realms of lore and vibrant online communities of aficionados out there—and who knows, the collection you craft today may someday inspire your heirs to follow in your footsteps or enable them to liquidate it for cash, either of which they will appreciate. Try:
Ball & Claw, Port Ewen
Newberry Artisan Market, Saugerties
Phoenicia Arts and Antiques, Phoenicia
Red Owl Collective, Kingston
Rhinebeck Antique Emporium, Staatsburg
Saugerties Antiques Center, Saugerties
