What a year it has been! I haven´t written in this Blog for quite sometime but it always feels so good to be back. I haven´t check all my friend´s Blogposts but I will do that very soon. I hope that this year started well for all of you, esp. for those who follow my Blog, thank you for still being here and wishing everyone has a sound mind & spirit , fit and ready to face another year.

Hoping this brand new year would be better, healthier, and yes, more worthwhile for all of us.So what is your first getaway this year?

I don´t have a New Year´s resolution only more getaway or staycation plans. It´s all about Self Care this time. I just wanted to do better than last year in all aspect of my life.I have started this year by spending some quiet time in the mountains.Up there in the cold, snow capped peaks I found my peace.So this is my first getaway journal for this year 2024.Lately we have negative temperatures here in Bavaria, south of Germany. I have a friend who lives in Canada and shares that they are braving -32 degrees there now. I sigh and thought, how could you live in such a freezing country like that.It is just too much for me, it would be too cold to handle.

How would you even find the motivation to go out and go to work?

The other day I run in a -7 degrees temperatures and my feet doesn´t feel that good after the 5km run.It was a good run, my lungs were okay, I felt better but it was not a great one for me.Those times where I wished that the sun could at least shine and give me some happy hormones and vitamin D! I really noticed that I was alone in the streets.It was only me, and myself.

Anyway, back to my first Mountain experience this year. We went to Maurach, Achensee, Pertisau and explore all the way up to Aachenkirch.It was really a lovely time.I only enjoy these snowy landscapes, winter wonderland scenery only on holidays but never when I need to work!

Take note : Only on leisure times. Living here in Germany for almost 8 years, i would still prefer the other seasons rather than winter.But it´s not always the case since we live in a place where there are seasons.Being out there in the cold is actually good for the soul.It is a let go moment where I just let loose and let my worries died away. All I can see is the beauty of the trees, silence in the woods, meaning no crowds!.., the serene flow of the brook, or maybe its a river, and the sight of the majestic mountain in front of me.

Speaking of inspiration, i am reading this book now “ Gehirn gut, alles Gut !” ( Brain is okay, then everything is okay).It´s really a wonderful read and I was even surprised that the Blue Zones-Lessons for living longer from the people who´ve lived the longest was mentioned in this book.Having a sound mind to adapt to weather changes is also important to make the most out of life.

I just felt so small, so unimportant, and yet so grateful that I am seeing this phase of nature.My worries are too small compared to this giant forces of nature in front of me.During Winter, there is this stillness, calmness and just pure energy.When i blew my breath and see the smokes, it makes me aware how much warmth my body needs in order to survive.

Again, just look at these views…! Amazing in all its sense.Its all worth the winter hiking that we´ve done.Don´t get me wrong, we have challenges as well during our hike.Some parts of the slopes were so icy that I almost slide and lost my sled.My daughter almost skid on the side of the cliff and it was just too slippery that we stopped and walk.I have learned to make a pause when I see dangers from this snowy paths!

But then, the fun continues…

I did a lovely walk through these slopes and sled all the way down.The snow was so pretty, fresh and dreamy and the winter breeze comfort my soul.I have eaten my favourite Kaisersmarrn and sip hot chocolate so I am really feeling good. I am much needing this kind of time.I have enrolled my kid in a Ski course so she stayed there until 3pm in the afternoon. Me and my husband had some quiet time together exploring the town surrounding the lake and just unplugged.Simple things like this is enough to give us energy to face the coming days.

I am always sighing in gratitude whenever I am looking at these views. Nature always gave us healing, a type that doesn´t come from the bottle. I feel a different high when we are in the mountains. Compared to city sightseeing–this is pure natural beauty.The turqouoise color of the lake, surrounded by snow capped mountains of Rofan and Karwendel mountains give me the impression of being ” so far…yet so near ” ( in German -“so fern, so nah”). It is such a lovely view. Last year we´ve tried snow tubing in Zillertal but this time we opted to sled our hearts away and we´ll be doing this again and again.

Winter activities I have read is better than exercising in Summer. In my experience, i feel more stronger when I am doing winter runs than in scorching summers.It increases cardiovascular endurance, improves mood while boosting our immunity system. I remember that during the Pandemic, we would took too many walks every day and that really helped us.

If you live here in Germany, this is one of the culture scenes that you will encounter. Despite the freezing temperatures, babies are pushed in strollers while taking their naps, people walk and run and life just go on.

While on the subject of self-care, I guess winter hiking has been an integral part of my life now.Living in Germany have introduced me to a new sense of joy found in the cold. Most Asians like me would bundle up during refrigerator temperatures but I have kind of love the colder months.We have milder winter compared to other countries so this doesn´t give me the chance to complain at all.The only thing that I don´t really like are the heavy jackets and fastidious winter clothing from scarves, bonnets and handgloves.Believe me, I am still learning this mantra of “there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate weather “.

In the cold months of winter I discovered many facets of nature when I photographed them. Something that i don´t see in spring and autumn.There´s really a powerful source of freedom, adventure and peace in the cold.I always know that in winter, I tend to feel more colder when I don´t have any movement. After a good winter run, I end up opening all windows because I just feel so stuffed and warm.In German we call it “Bewegung “. It´s the simple phrase that I always say to my child when I noticed that she sits in front of the tablet for quite some time.It´s just simply going through the cycles.

Maybe you don´t love cold weather and these things that I say about wandering in the cold, I could also relate to that. But then, I wanted to share my personal journal about winter and how to embrace the good thing about it.Why fight the cold when it´s there to last a few months?

Better way is to embrace it and do something fun with it.

My thoughts that I wanted to share here with you is that even if you can´t afford to go on a trip to the Alps or any place where mountain views and winter activities are done, just taking a short walk in your nearby park , or doing a short run would do some wonders in your mind and body.Without a phone, just focusing on your step and embracing the cold will help you realize the benefits of embracing the cold.

I have made a commitment to love myself more this year and do those things that does me good.Try something different this winter and who knows, it might chnage your total outlook in life!

Until then, Tschüß!