Winter Whimsy: Cozy Hobbies for the Cold
Finding purpose and joy in creating a personal warmth to beat the Syracuse winter slump.
by Bree Lauder-Williams ★ December 14th, 2025
Photo Credit: Bree Lauder-Williams
As the fall colors fade and Syracuse slips on its trademark winter grey, campus life seems to slow down. Things feel more bleak as the days get shorter and ice fills the sidewalks. But just because life seems to slow down doesn’t mean we have to as well.
This is where hobbies come in. A hobby isn't just a throwaway activity; it provides structure, joy, and something to do during otherwise monotonous months. During a Syracuse winter, when seasonal depression seems especially rough, hobbies can be less of a pastime and more of a lifeline. They provide a sense of accomplishment and creativity, helping to combat the winter blues. Whether it's painting, knitting, or learning a new skill, hobbies can transform the cold months into a time of personal growth and fulfillment.
Why Hobbies Matter More During Winter
When it gets colder outside, we spend more time indoors, scrolling, binge-watching or going to sleep way too early after we finish our homework. Life can feel like a rewatch of Groundhog Day and not in a good way. Without intentional breaks, routines will start to be suffocating. Hobbies can help disrupt that cycle in a good way. They offer:
A creative escape: full freedom over your ideas, no rules attached.
Routine and structure: something to keep the days from blending.
A sense of community: connecting with people who share your interests.
Serotonin: doing something simply because you want to.
Hobbies don’t need to be perfect or Pinterest-ready; they just have to be something you genuinely enjoy.
The Art of Choosing a Winter Hobby
The beauty of choosing a hobby can be small and experimental. The trick is choosing something catered to you that feels fun and not forced. Here are some categories that can inspire you to winter exploration.
Cozy Creatives
Hobbies that work best with a blanket, tea and warm dorm lights.
Journaling or creative writing
Digital art or vision boarding
Crochet, knitting or embroidery
Scrapbooking or making collages
Reading challenges
These are perfect for an evening when you just feel too cold to leave your dorm.
Indoor Adventures
Novelty without having to hike through the snow.
Baking or cooking
Thrift flips or Diy crafts
Learning a language through apps
Photography
Starting a YouTube or TikTok (video essays)
You can pick up a new skill and not just pass the time.
Frost-Friendly Fitness
Your body still needs sunlight and motion, even in January. Plus, exercise gives you endorphins!
At home yoga or pilates
Gym routines
Fitness classes at Barnes or Ernie
Learning dance routines on YouTube
Winter walks with a podcast (just make sure to bundle up)
Movement-based hobbies can release stress and stabilize your mood.
Social Snow Days
Hobbies that help you connect with others
Club meetings (there is literally a club for everything at SU, even fragrances)
Book Clubs
Fun study sessions
Board game nights
Craft nights
Winter can feel especially isolating, but hobbies can help create community.
The Secret: Letting Hobbies be Imperfect
The hardest part about starting a hobby is letting go of the idea that you have to be instantly good at it. Hobbies are supposed to be messy. They are supposed to grow with you. The purpose is for you to find joy in letting go, not acquiring more stress. You’ll try some hobbies you won’t like and that's part of the fun. With each attempt, you learn something new about yourself.
Winter is long, college is stressful and life can get overwhelming, but a hobby is something that belongs entirely to you. It's a reminder that you're still a person with interests and passions outside of your other responsibilities. As winter settles into Syracuse, try to pick something that sparks your interest and try it, even if it's just for 10 minutes.
Edited by: Ava Ascenzo