I have a confession to make. And you may judge me for it, but you won’t really know me unless you know this little fact: 

Sometimes when I’m by myself, I turn on the music and dance like no one’s watching. Because no one is (at least… I really hope not). I will quite literally just dance and dance and dance until I’m too tired to keep going (which doesn’t take too long when you’re choreographing a hip hop-cheer-freestyle sort of blend). I will keep going until I can’t go any longer or until my next virtual meeting. This was especially effective between Zoom classes this past semester—there’s nothing like a little cardio burst between hours of staring at a screen. When it comes to the music, nothing beats a good throwback (yes, Hannah Montana, I’m looking at you).  

Dancing always makes me happy. It always has. When I was little I would make up dances in the living room to N’Sync, Billy Joel, and—you guessed it—Hannah Montana CDs. I guess you could say I’ve always had an eclectic music taste. Whether there’s a literal dance floor or I’m in the kitchen returning dishes to their rightful shelves, something about dancing brings me inexplainable joy. It’s a literal 30-second mood booster that I know will get me out of a funk. 

I have one more confession to share with you: I am not a fan of the winter. The thought of 90 days of minimal sunshine, shivering temps, or both at the same time gets me down. I first heard about seasonal depression when I was in high school, and ever since, my awareness of the subject has grown. While I’ve never been officially diagnosed and know that many have, it’s something to take seriously. I think we’re all a little susceptible to feeling blue when the only color we see is grey. Many studies illuminate that the weather affects us more than we may think. 

I’ve learned I must keep a keen eye on my mental health in these colder months. Something about the way the sky seems to hang above our heads in a consistent state of grey clouds really gets to me. It feels like I will never escape the bleakness and joy will never be a consistent character in my life again. Things can easily feel bland, boring, and honestly, kind of pointless after a long enough string of cloudy grey days. (It’s safe to say, I don’t think I’ll be moving to Seattle anytime soon). 

Although we just started a new year (2021 heyooo) and there’s a bit of fresh wind on January 1, that doesn’t mean everything changes overnight. We are still in the dead of winter. It’s still bleak and cold (at least, in the midwest + northern Texas). 

If I’m not careful, this physical season comes between God and me. Which is the last thing I want and the worst thing that could happen. It’s all too easy to let the dull weather seep into every area of my life and distract me from what I care most about. My motivation dwindles, my excitement for things disappears, and the hope of a new season feels like a joke without the punch line. 

So what to do? Well, similarly to the dance party in the kitchen, it’s time to change the energy in my spiritual life. It’s time to mix things up. 

I first think about what keeps any relationship feeling fresh and exciting. If I’ve fallen prey to the trap of mindless routine and conversations with friends, there are some quick fixes to spark more joy and intimacy. It’s always exciting to try new things with my friends and explore our little corner of the world together. From adventuring to new restaurants, jamming out with a great playlist, playing a new game, experiencing a concert together… These things not only bring joy and excitement into my own life but strengthen my relationship with the other person, too. Experiences unite us. 

The same is true with God. Here are some ways that I mix things up when I want to keep things funky, fresh, and ever so faithful. 

Make a new playlist

If I listen to the same worship songs over and over, it gets really easy to get bored with them. But the truth is that there are so many great Christian songs out there. I’ll spend a little time making a new playlist or listening to the “This is: Artist Name” playlists on Spotify. John Mark Pantana is an artist you don’t want to miss if you’re craving something chill, a little indie, cozy, and encouraging. His album Love Secrets can’t be beaten!

Change up the way I’m praying

If I’ve been praying out loud or in my head, I start writing them down. Nothing beats watching God answer prayers and having a tangible place to point back to. If I’ve been writing my prayers, sometimes I’ll start jotting them down in my Bible to keep a record of it and associate Scripture with it. Or, I’ll designate a task like blow drying my hair or filling my water bottle to pray for a certain person or thing. These little changes help remind me that God is creative, fun, and always with me. 

Try a new coffee shop

I think coffee shops are my love language. Nothing is as exciting as finding a new-to-me local spot with great coffee, music, and interior design. I love exploring with friends, but there’s something special about doing it one-on-one with God and spending some time journaling or reading with Him in that new space. 

Walk a new route

I love to pray, I love to walk, and I love to pray while I walk (hello, multitasking). But sometimes the scenery feels redundant if I’m forcing the same route every single day. Heading out in a different direction or exploring how many new routes I can create adds another creative element to something I would already be doing yet makes it feel totally new. 

Really, anything new or different from what I’ve been doing helps add some flavor to my relationship with God. There are always ways to take the spiritual disciplines we normally pursue and tweak them to what we need in a certain season. I’m under the impression that God doesn’t want me to be bored with Him. There are just too many good things about Him and about life to keep doing the same things with no chance of change or refreshment. And, He knows what I need more than I do. He gave us all of these unique ways to keep our relationship consistent and healthy, so why would I not take advantage of them?!

I hope these are helpful hints for where you’re at now or for a day ahead when the winter seems to drag on and on. Like anything else in life, it’s easy to read these suggestions and think, “Well, duh. I already knew these things.” And you’re right—there’s nothing necessarily revolutionary about these ideas. But something revolutionary can happen in your life if you apply them. It’s always up to us. Are we going to be hearers or doers? Are we going to accept the mundane or fight for the beauty? I know what team I’m choosing, and I hope you’re running alongside me!

Let me know your helpful tips and tricks for navigating the winter or dry seasons in your faith—I would love to learn!