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During these intense days — a pandemic, the winter, a vicious news cycle — it can be hard to keep spirits up. So! We asked readers on Instagram how they are staying cheery, and hundreds of amazing replies came rolling in. (I wish we could post them all!) Here, 14 women share photos…
Above: “This is my puppy Soba and his snuggles are keeping me oh so happy.” — Vaishali, San Francisco Bay Area
“Matching jammies and home spa nights!” — Merrill, Tacoma, Washington
“I’ve been tackling recipes from The Great British Baking Show! These rainbow bagels have been the biggest hit so far.” — Sherri, Seattle
“One of my favorite ways to pass the time is bathing with my little human and her dinosaurs. Fighting depression has been a real challenge, especially because we are immigrants and have no support system in place. My daughter is my sunshine, and it’s incredibly powerful how she can lift my spirits.” — Elis, Canada
“Wearing the brightest sweaters possible, getting vaccinated and continuing to take care of the sickest yet most adorable children!” — Lakshmi, St. Louis, Missouri
“Living alone during the pandemic has been an at-times bumpy road of isolation and loneliness, but this past November, I brought Olive home. Now my favorite part of every day is when Olive excitedly leaps onto my lap first thing in the morning while I drink my coffee and read. Her abundant cuddles have brightened my days more than I could have imagined.” — Jenny, Portland, Oregon
“Cross-country skiing with my daughter.” — Elizabeth, Minneapolis
“I’m extremely grateful to have a little greenhouse to grow food in. Something about getting my hands in the soil and seeing tasty plants grow despite the snow outside has been centering for me. Cheers to growth and everything that means!” — Joanna, Telluride, Colorado
“Swimming in the cold Cornish sea with friends, warming up with a cuppa and chat after.” — Claire, Cornwall, England
“The sweetest snuggles from my 2.5-month-old, Julian.” — Veronica, Reading, Massachusetts
“Dogsledding with our Siberian Husky, Lumi. Her name is the Finnish word for snow. You need sisu (a Finnish word untranslatable to English, but mostly meaning grit, resilience) to survive these Minnesota winters!” — Emily, Minnesota
“This winter, I found that I need more sleep, so I’ve been taking 20-minute naps every day at 12 p.m. I am a teacher, and with a nap during my lunch break, I am ready for my afternoon students. Seriously, my daily naps mean so much for my mental health.” — BC, Santa Fe
“I’ve taken up macramé, which is so therapeutic!” — Nicole, Portland, Oregon
“I’m from the desert but recently moved to Boston for law school. This winter, I treated myself to a sunny yellow coat to combat the dreary New England winter. I am excited every time I put it on for my long walks around the neighborhood.” — Jaime, Boston
And, if you really want to smile, here’s a video showing Andrea’s baby’s first laugh, in Saint Paul, Minnesota!
Thank you so much, readers! We love you. xoxoxo
P.S. 12 readers share their cozy corners, and what readers are wearing at home.
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