If you are Australian, we are all guilty of this (except maybe the Eastern suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne). The temperature drops below 20 degrees and we whip out our iconic “winter wardrobe” which solely contains jeans/trackpants, a hoodie and either Ugg’s or socks with our sandals.
But then the temperature drops below 15 and what don’t we do? Add layers. We stay the same- maybe a beanie at most. And then we complain about how cold it is and we carry on being miserable for about a month- 2 max – before summer weather comes back to fruition (unlike you the United Kingdom).
Besides our poor choices in wardrobe during this time, maybe we don’t enjoy winter as much as our Northern hemisphere counterparts because all the stereotypes about winter are based off their climates- Christmas time, dark by 3pm, snow all around closing the schools, kids outside making snowmen and sledding down the local hill, and parents affording a huge trip to Paris then realising they forgot their youngest while sitting on the plane halfway over there.
So what if winter isn’t actually the problem? What if it’s us?
Sure, Aussie winters aren’t exactly the Arctic tundra, but we’re not doing ourselves any favours by treating 14 degrees like it’s sub-zero and still leaving the house in the same outfit we wore to a summer BBQ (but with a beanie and some vague regret). What if, just hear us out, we actually embraced winter?
Because let’s be honest, winter can actually be kind of… magical. Yes, magical. Not just “my car windshield is fogged up again” magical, but real winter magic. We just need to chase it a little.
Cue: Thredbo, Perisher, Mt Buller. You want snow? You want après-ski vibes, mulled wine, log fires and that crisp mountain air that makes you feel like you’re in a snow globe? We’ve got it – right here, in Australia. And if you really want to turn the winter dial up to full Christmas movie mode, head across the ditch to Queenstown. Snow-capped peaks, cozy chalets, and enough adventure to make you forget all about the fact you once wore thongs in July.
Still not enough for you? Alright. Pack your puffiest jacket and book a trip to Europe or North America during December. Think fairy lights, mulled wine in a German Christmas market, actual sleigh bells, and yes — a White Christmas just like the movies. It’s festive, it’s frosty, and it makes you wonder why you ever complained about “how cold it gets in Australia.”
So instead of hating winter, maybe it’s time we start doing winter properly. Invest in a real jacket and buy those fur-lined boots. Try layering like the rest of the world does. Book that ski trip. Embrace the chilly season instead of just waiting it out while whinging in your Oodie.
Because winter doesn’t suck — we’re just not using it to its full potential.