6 Reasons Winter Is the Best Time of the Year to Be an Introvert

There’s something magical about the winter. Most people seem to hate the cold weather, the long nights, and the extra layers of clothing. But I’ve always thought there was something special about this time of year, even once the holiday festivities are over.

I’m convinced the song “Let it Snow” is an anthem for introverts: “Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful…” You can bet I have nowhere to go. I don’t make plans even when there’s not a sheet of ice covering the sidewalk.

Summer has always struck me as a season for extroverts. The pool parties. The barbeques. All of that frolicking in the sunshine.

You don’t need to stay out later just because the sun does. However, most people don’t grasp this concept and proceed to cram as many activities as possible into the warmest months of the year. And with everyone listing off their concerts and camping trips like they are personal accomplishments, it can be hard not to feel guilty for crawling into bed before the moon is out.

However, I believe winter is for introverts. I consider myself lucky to live in a state where the snowfalls are frequent and the wind chill often drops below zero. Even the most extroverted person couldn’t possibly find fault with going straight home after work when it’s too cold to feel your face. And even though I love the springtime, I always feel a twinge of regret when I know that hibernating is no longer a socially acceptable seasonal activity.

Still unconvinced that cold weather is the best weather for introverts? Here are six more reasons winter is the most wonderful time of year to be an introvert.

Why Winter Is a Good Time to Be an Introvert

1. Bad weather is always a good excuse to stay in.

There was a reason I loved snow days as a kid, and it wasn’t just because of the sledding and snowball fights. The thought of all of the day’s activities being canceled still fills me with joy twenty years later. Even if being an adult often means I have to do more shoveling than snowman-making, I still welcome a blizzard bad enough to close all the local businesses. No one can fault you for not going out and being productive when everything is closed or canceled. So what if there’s only a 15 percent chance of precipitation? It’s still a good idea to stockpile the hot cocoa mix and make sure you have a pile of books ready. Better safe than sorry.

2. Introvert activities are the best winter activities.

Forget snowboarding and skiing. Have you seen all of the new content on Netflix recently? When it’s too cold to emerge from under a pile of heated blankets, it’s best to have a streaming platform that will automatically play the next episode. And after you’ve finally had your binge-watching fill, there will still be plenty of hours left in your long winter night to bake cookies, work on a festive craft project, knit yourself a scarf, and drink multiple mugs of your favorite hot beverage. Whatever your go-to hobby or activity is to unwind, you can bet it’s much comfier and cozier than anything the extroverts have planned.

3. It’s the perfect environment for highly sensitive introverts.

If you’re an introvert who is also a highly sensitive person (HSP), you might find some of the most soothing aspects of this time of year are just what you need to create your happy place. HSPs don’t like environments that are overstimulating. The loud outdoor chaos of a summer music festival would probably be hell on earth for most HSPs. But curled up next to a softly crackling fire with a row of scented candles lit is their natural habitat. Plus, comfy oversized sweaters and fuzzy socks are not only acceptable but expected when the temperature drops below zero. It’s a good time to turn on some smooth jazz and indulge in the softer side of life.

4. It’s time to start your reading goal.

If you’re an avid reader, one of your annual New Year’s resolutions might be a goal of how many books you want to read. I always get off to a roaring start on my Goodread’s goal in January and February, and it’s something I look forward to all year. If reading isn’t your thing, it’s still the perfect time of year to learn a new hobby or perfect a new skill. New Year’s resolutions can be fun too, and lots of long nights indoors will give you the time to pursue new interests.

5. Keeping people at a distance keeps the germs away.

It’s hard enough to avoid that virus that’s going around the office, so why risk further contamination in other public places? The fewer people you interact with on a daily basis the safer you’ll be. Instead of going out into the world and sharing germs, stay home and share some cuddle time with your pet. It’s practically doctor’s orders.

6. It’s socially acceptable to just stay home.

The excuses to skip going out are endless. If not the crappy weather or the possible head cold you’re coming down with, than you can always say your pipes are in danger of freezing or the neighbor kid got his tongue stuck to a pole and you have to assist him. Whatever works.

But with all of that hot cocoa and those endless hours of Netflix calling your name, do you even need an excuse? Baby, it’s cold outside, and winter is the only time of year the rest of the world follows the introvert’s example and just stays home.