shifting the story in the chills of winter

DC has been in the throws of some crazy weather. 

Blisteringly cold. 

Followed by days where there’s a slight chill, yet it’s essentially warm outside. 

I’ve been flummoxed of how to handle this winter beyond staying indoors, which is totally counter to my ethos of go embrace the outdoors, no matter the season.

Earlier this month, before a friend was to head out on a month of travel, we wanted to squeeze in some friend time. She suggested going to DC Bike Party, which she had never done before.

DC Bike Party is a monthly gathering where folks bike in “critical mass” through a preset route on the streets of DC at night. It’s super fun and freeing. In warmer weather, I’d imagine a solid 800 people show up.  In the wintertime, perhaps 150-200 people might join. 

With the chilly freeze being felt in my bones (no joke), I was concerned that I’d actually not be able to make it through the bike ride. I figured I’d make it an hour tops through the ride/.

Yet, I was quite confused. Where was this voice coming from announcing it was “too cold” to be outside? I rarely talk to myself like that . I worked for a season as a ski instructor. I know what it means to be nippy noodles AND have fun outdoors.  

I thought my tagline was “no bad weather, just the wrong clothing.” 

So, why was I facing this chilly weather like some existential threat? 

And what I realized was that I was wearing the wrong clothing.

Here’s what I had been doing:

• Trotting across the street to the gym in leggings and a light jacket thinking that should suffice since I’d only be outside for two minutes.

How was my body internalizing that experience:

• In those two minutes I was absolutely freezing because I was underdressed. My brain and body were screaming… it’s too cold to be outside!!

Of course, I was bracing myself to be an ice cube for this bike ride. In the moments I was going outside, I was wearing the wrong clothing. 

I really didn’t want to spend at least 60 minutes biking and feeling uncomfortably numb. So, I started to mentally prepare what I’d wear on this DC Bike Party ride:

• I’d wear both of my puffy jackets

• I’d wear a fleece sweater

• I’d wear my fleece pants

• I’d charge my heated socks and my heated gloves and wear them!

• I’d wear my hiking boots, the most insulated of all my shoes (perhaps ergonomically not meant for biking, but they’ keep my toes warm). 

And yet, I couldn’t figure out what to wear beyond my fleece pants.

And then I remembered…. I own snow pants. Wear your bulky & warm snow pants!!

I left my house dressed like the Michelin Man in all black with an orange vest. 

Lots of layers. Lots of bulkiness. There was nothing sexy about my outfit, but I was warm!!

I was sweating leaving my garage and on the Metro. In fact, I was actually dressed too warm for the occasion (the temperature had creeped up a bit) . But I was comfortable and I wasn’t freezing. 

This whole experience unlocked in me that what mattered was:

• Being clear about the story I was telling myself. 

  • Yes! It was cold out. 

• Being clear about the appropriate action I needed to take. 

  • Instead of regarding dressing and undressing, as I enter/exit being outdoors, as something burdensome, I needed to view freezing my body as burdensome. I needed to prioritize wearing layers and building in more time as I go between spaces, so I have time to (un)dress and be COMFORTABLE!

Since this breakthrough, I’ve not always hit the mark. I left the house one day with wet hair and without a scarf and thought my face and hair was going to freeze. But at least, I wasn’t taking that data and going, outside is scary and I can’t go there. Instead, I realized Whoops, this wasn’t the right outfit. I’m now keeping a scarf by the door, so I don’t leave the house without one! 

What stories are you telling yourself about the weather? How might you be able to shift and embrace (what’s official as of yesterday) wintertime? 

Wheels up, 

Ellen