Our Krimson Klover Outsiders are a group of adventure-seeking, outdoor-loving ladies who inspire us to #LiveBoldly. But getting outside isn’t always easy, especially when it feels like the Arctic Tundra out there. KK Outsider, Beckey (@andfurther), shares how she faces her cold-weather fears and beats the winter blues.
Here we are, in the throes of winter. It’s cold, the ground is covered in inches of snow and ice, and I’m cranky.
Hi, I’m Beckey, and I live in Bend, Oregon. I moved here from Southern California in the summer of 2020 and had hearts in my eyes because I thought every day in Bend would be like August: The warm sun on my shoulders and a Chaco tan on my feet. But then winter hit, and I closed up my adventuring heart, sat on the couch, and cried.
I’m just kidding, I didn’t cry, but I came close a few times. I had never done a snow chore a day in my life before. You know, snow chores? Like shoveling your driveway or scraping ice off your windshield. I was baffled that people kept doing life with snow on the ground. Like, “Hey, you know it’s cold, right? Go back inside!” I’d consider yelling from my window to my passing neighbors—walking their dogs, jogging, and riding their bikes.
Life kept moving for them, and I thought I’d better move too, or else I was on my way to becoming this couch—absorbed and swallowed up inside its cozy, warm cushions.
No, ma’am. I will not be a couch.
So I got up and did something. I went outside. And you know what? It improved my mood and made winter a little less uncomfortable. Dare I say, palatable?
However, this winter feels like everything started over for me. I forgot that going outside helps ease my winter woes. I was well on my way to becoming 50% human, 50% couch, when we got a huge snow storm. I boarded up my home and declared I WILL NEVER GO OUTSIDE AGAIN. My dog did not appreciate this declaration. As the temperatures dipped below zero, so did my will to leave my couch.
Just when I thought all was lost and I was destined to become one with this floral print sofa, I snapped out of it and started piling on all the warm layers I owned. Maybe it was my dog desperately needing to go outside...
First, a floral base layer, a Krimson Klover top, and leggings. Next, all-weather pants, a mid-layer quarter zip, then a warm neck gaiter, and my snow jacket. I then covered my head in a wool beanie and daringly ventured outside.
5ºF PEOPLE!
I strapped some snowshoes on my feet that I dug out of a box in my garage and trudged into the forest. Here we go...
Then, the most beautiful thing happened. My mind became quiet. I could only hear my breath and the crunch of metal against the snow from my steps. I stopped to peer up at the frost-covered trees and felt an overwhelming sense of peace, joy, and appreciation for winter all at once.
Yes, my face was cold, and snot was dripping from my nose—but wow. All that beauty became mine in that moment. It was so exhilarating, feeling so cold. I felt alive; I could hear my heart pounding and I could see my breath. It awoke me to the adventures I was missing out on. What other winter activities could I do if I wasn’t afraid of the cold?
Who knows, maybe I’ll take up heli-skiing or ice yachting. Anything's possible.
My takeaway? Go outside! Venture out of your comfort zone. As long as you’re wearing a warm set of base layers, you can do anything! Also, I think I might need a tissue...
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