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The middle of winter often feels like a bit of a slump in the year. It is the time of the year when the trees look bare and colourless, and everything seems grey as the clouds dominate the sky. Since winter set in I’ve been finding that I’m struggling with my exercise routine and consequently, my mood.

I find keeping an active lifestyle much more manageable during the other months of the year. The sun is shining more, my joints aren’t as achy and I don’t have a shiver that seems to be at the core of my body. It is this cold that stops me from getting outside as much and keeping up an active lifestyle. I feel that this then affects my mood and positivity. Each month seems to bring something new. Autumn brings with it all of the beautiful orange colours, Spring brings back the flowers and the birds and Summer brings us all back to the beach and being outside.

Even though winter can seem a bit of a downer, there are also some positives to look at. I find that winter fashion is some of my favourite! You get to rug up and slap on all of those different jackets, jumpers, beanies and scarfs. For me, it is a time of year where you get to bring some colour to the grey. Additionally, it's the perfect time for a good ol' op shop! I love op shopping, and am ashamed to say that I have too great a collection of mismatched clothes and items. However, winter is my get out of jail free card. My excuse to buy another big fluffy jumper!

Maybe, this is a cup half full kind of view, but winter makes you look forward to the coming spring and summer months. It makes me plan and appreciate all of the times I spent at the beach. In many ways, winter offers a different kind of beauty. It allows you to appreciate a green time of year, with crisp air and rain pitter pattering on our roofs and over the land. So, i'm just trying to remind myself what I love about winter and looking one step forward until the warmer months arrive and I start complaining about getting sunburnt and always being sweaty.