Brutal & Beautiful

Talking about the cold and trying to enjoy winter for what it is.

It felt particularly wintery this week thanks to a string of single-digit days and below-zero dips here in Milwaukee. As trite as it might be to talk about the weather, it can be a comforting topic because it effects everyone. No matter who you are, the weather impacts your physical experience of navigating through the world, as well as your mood and emotional state. Like it or not, it makes it an easy topic to jump to when chatting with a stranger.

I made a zine called “Cold Snap” and read it on Instagram and TikTok, and wouldn’t you know… this little zine about the weather seemed to resonate with many online strangers and friends alike. It’s fricken cold, it’s still winter, and it impacts all of us.

I must admit that February is my least favorite month. Aside from the weather, there’s a lot less to look forward to, and it still feels like spring is eons away. I don’t have any “hacks” for how to feel better about this reality. But if you’re feeling a bit restless and could use a little extra serotonin, I recommend bundling up and heading out for a walk despite the cold. That’s what I did the other day—wearing two pairs of pants, mittens suitable for an arctic expedition, and an elaborate hat/neck/face warmer setup that exposed only my eyes. I felt like I was going on a mission to the moon. I took some reference photos and wrote this little zine while I was out.

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Paid subscribers can download printable versions of the zine and art print at the end of today’s newsletter—so keep on scrolling! And if you haven’t already, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber today!

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Being outside seems sort of otherworldly to me during these cold days. Especially when the sun is out and hits the ice crystals in the snow just right. The cold air tends to hurt my chest, but it also sort of feels good?! I have a lot of conflicting feelings on this chilly and inevitable season. I’m not an “I love winter!” person. I’m a “Let’s have winter for 3 weeks!” person, and then I’m ready for warmth and hope and joy again. But I’m attempting to enjoy it for what it is! I hope you can too, including taking time to enjoy your favorite cozy things.

Thanks for reading!

Thanks for being here! It truly means the world to me. In case you missed it, last week I shared a poem and art print called We Are Seasons. Check it out here.

As I mentioned earlier, paid subscribers can download printable versions of “Cold Snap” as an art print and zine below!