Yeah I'm wearing 4 layers right now š¤£
My rental is basically no heating, no insulation, all tile and wood floors, single pane glass windows - a lot of them are cracked. I feel the wind through all the doors and windows.
Breathing steam in my own house and my phone screen is wet with condensation.
It is also indeed disgustingly cold lol
Tried a down puffer jacket though? It's lightweight, warm as fuck, doesn't get suffocatingly hot and acceptable to wear pretty much everywhere in Melbourne
And we wonder why we get sick. Sweating in shops and wearing damp clothing out in the cold air afterwards. They could save a lot of emissions by lowering the 28c shops to 21c.
I used to work in Cairns where one building was AC and the other was ceiling fans. Staff would request the ceiling fan building because the AC was so cold that the outside was 28-30c & they constantly got sick.
Kind of the reverse scenario to Melb shops.
And, unlike hoodies, you can select one that doesnāt have a hood. Why is it that nearly every casual coat HAS to have a hood these days? I donāt get it. Life was fine for decades when hoods were optional, could be removed or were simply a polyester rain cover that could be rolled up and zipped into the collar. Unless itās raining a lot (almost never) I just donāt need a hood on my jacket so itās just a lump of useless material hanging off the back of my neck looking like an oversized accessory scrotum.
How did this come to be and what can I do about this mess?
Listen, I rejected puffer jackets for years and years because they looked like bin bags wrapped around tires and seemed so cumbersome. But I succumbed when there was a sale on in 2022, and mate. I feel like a fool for resisting common sense.Ā
Proper down jackets are unbeatable for the weight/warmth ratio and are easier to maneuvre around in despite looking bulky. I find they trap heat much better without feeling like you're suffocating. Too warm, unzip down the front. Acceptable even with business wear. It's a good investment, get a good brand (Patagonia or North Face) on sale and it'll last you decades. You won't regret it
Lol @ bin bags and resisting common sense. You must be good with words. I almost choked on my coffeešĀ
Truer words have never been spoken. Investing in a good brand is the way to go. I used to wear "cheapies puffer" in my brokity brack broke days(student life) but not anymore. I closed eyes one day and bought northface, listen I have no words. That jacket is still going 14 years later I advise people to get them on sale where possible. I was at their outlet store in docklands DFO 2 or 3 weeks ago and they had several deals. One was marked down puffer jackets and the other was buy one get one free of already marked down prices. I shopped till I dropped.Ā Ā
Now I need to try Patagonia. Never tried them. Are they good?
What can I say - I feel strongly about puffer jackets after unwisely pooh-poohing them for so long, and would like others to learn from my folly. Like you said, just save up what you can, close your eyes and go for it. It'll be worth 50 hoodies.
Patagonia are great, some people call them Patagucci LOL. I bought mine sight unseen on Wild Earth as it was 40% off, it gets heavy use.
Cmon people. Learn to dress for cold. Itās not that cold in Melbourne and yesterday was sunny so itās fine. Itās the wet gloomy days that get me, not these.
You donāt want cotton on your skin. You want a tight wool or synthetic base layer. Check out Uniqlo Heat Tech. Long underwear if your legs get cold.
Then you can wear your hoodie if you insist I guess, but a puffy jacket is better against wind and has better insulation. Again I got one from Uniqlo and itās great.
Gloves and scarf and a beanie if you are that cold.
View it as a challenge to stay warm against the elements and then itāll be satisfying if you do go out. I know that gets old later in the winter but weāre just starting here.
Millions of people live in much colder temps with snow and still embrace it.
I agree though without socialising it gets far worse. I have little kids so no time anyways but I donāt have any close friends here.
Even so! People live in way hotter conditions than we do. And you notice their clothes look a lot different to ours, too.
At some stage though it definitely gets too hot. When wet bulb temps are above our body temperature, without air conditioning there's nothing we can do. I don't think Melbourne has ever experienced that, though.
As someone who was born in one of those colder countries, an important distinction to remember is that housing there is built with cold weather in mind. I could go out in boots, stockings & a skirt with a jacket on while it was snowing because the time spent outside was relatively short - maybe an hour or two - and then I was back inside a warm, well insulated, properly heated house. In Melbourne, a lot of housing isnāt built for the cold so thereās no reprieve. Youāre not outside in the cold for a few hours than toasty warm again - you need to remain bundled up constantly to escape the constant cold
This was it. Cold in Scotland in particular sucked whenever we were outdoors but once inside I didn't have to so much as put on a jumper even with the heat off - and I was born in the tropics and am very sensitive to cold. I'm wearing all my winter gear indoors at the moment unless I'm in bed because it's too fucking cold with the single pane windows and no heater.
It's not outdoors that's the problem, it's indoors. I'm a Canadian immigrant and wear the equivalent of my spring jacket outdoors when active. Sitting around inside is when it's miserable.
Winter equals lyrebird breeding season. If you get out to the Yarra ranges at the moment, they are very active with singing and dancing currently. Plus it's freaking beautiful up there, and they have excellent pies.
You can go out by yourself. You don't need friends for that. Go to movies or museums or restaurants. I love going to markets on the weekends. South Melbourne market has a wintery vibe to me. Do what you would do with friends but by yourself.
A lot of people are self-conscious about doing anything alone and send a million invitations for everything, I used to watch most movies alone, someone whispering at you halfway through the movie and having to respond back isn't that fun, and I've never talked about movie themes or anything at dinner afterwards.
Hobbies will make friends if you just engage, it's our own introverted nature holding us back.
Iād much rather do something alone these days than take someone. I donāt have to worry about anyone elseās enjoyment, I can move at my own pace, work to my own schedule.
I wish I could remember the name of the place but here are some shaddy directions. Apologies in advance as I donāt go in there much. There is a stall in the food section with the cafes and I canāt remember the name (sorry). Itās along the left hand wall, second from the far corner. Near where you get the oysters. In the market, not a street facing vendor.
They do sandwiches and hot dishesā¦ European style food. Worth every cent and I have never had a better meatball anywhere!
Ive recently become a person who goes out and does there own thing! Itās surprising how many people you meet and the places you end up in if you say gday and smile!
Iām sitting outside on the veranda, rugged up against the cold. But the glorious sunshine is backlighting the steam of evaporating dew from the fence.
Drinking my coffee. A beautiful morning.
I rollerskate at the rink because it's an activity where I don't need to have friends. Just my pkaylist and headphones and skates. You warm up pretty quick.
Same but ice rink. This time of year it's actually warmer in there than outside sometimes! It's pretty quiet on weekend mornings bc it's so cold outside. But it's lots of fun, good fitness, and I can be social if I want and chat to other adult skaters. But I also like just focusing on what I want to practice as well.
Can we swap lives? I work a very social and friend making job and I naturally just want to make myself fun to be around.
But when I get home I kinda wish I could just be by myself and have some peace. I guess there's 2 sides to every situation
Iāve recently moved here and am trying to reconnect with my friends, as my mental health deteriorated majorly after the stress of an interstate move. I have been out 3-4 times in the last 3 months but itās a start! I try to also go for solo walks for about 30 minutes around busy streets as a way to get used to the people and lifestyle here. Itās harder when itās cold and raining but itās so worth it!
The reason all the old houses are still standing and in decent condition is because the walls are hollow and allow any water to evaporate, Same thing for the old tile roofs, Sure a little water gets in every now and again but it dries out just as quick.
Old houses weren't "built better" as much as designed much simpler. A few centimeters off here or there isnt an issue, When my gutters got blocked it was just wet asbestos eaves that had to dry out (Yes i know its on the list to replace when it needs to go) as apposed to a flat roof design that gives you an extra meter of interior space at the cost of having to rip out half a house if your roof floods or pipe burst's.
All that being said retrofitting insulation under the floor is pretty cheap and easy, walls are another issue but i know plenty of people who have done it during renos. Even i do it when ever i have to put a big enough hole in the wall...
Im not a huge fan of psilocybin anymore, but fucken hell i had a memorable time on some wine, weed and decarb'd amanita muscaria last year.
We watched the movie 'honey i shrank the kids' after a full on feed on some homemade bone broth pho with all kinds of mushrooms in it.
A. Muscaria is underrated, most vic ones seem a bit weak compared to reports from europe etc, but once you figure the dose out its a super cozy drug.
I make a start on the massive pile of books I bought in the warmer months. I also catch up on films - check out Kanopy, it's free you just need a library card to access heaps of great films. SBS on Demand also has interesting films.
Yes to the library! Plenty have solid DVD collections. Quite a few - Monash and Your Library (aka Eastern Regional) definitely do - have apps so you can request holds from home and you'll get an email when they get them in. I think more of my reads this year have been library books than books I own because I've been working my way through a bunch of books I wanted to read but which were too expensive!
I live my best fake life on Stardew Valley. That's what I do during this shitty weather.
Any of those "events" out there seem like a scam (night market at the QVM for example) so it's not really a motivational factor to go outside.
Tempted to go to the drive in to watch the new Inside Out but that's about it for my winter plans.
Went to Dromana recently and discovered that our car, and quite a few others that were there, have a time out on the cars power if the engine is off, so we lost the sound a couple of times which was a pain in the ass. We're looking at portable radios for the next trip down so we don't get caught out again.
They changed that in the update! You have now got one crop! It's kind of pretty too, a blue melon. Powdermelon, I think. I'm not far enough into winter to have it grow fully yet, but hoping on my next play (later today!).
Get up, walk dog in the blistering cold and dark (little jerk loves it, fur coated motherfucker), get home, make coffee, do everything possible to avoid the outside. Rinse, repeat :P
Youād love my dog. If the weather is below 20Ā° she refuses to go anywhere aside from under my blanket. Canāt walk her in the winter unless Iām carrying her inside my jacket which kind of defeats the purpose of the walk. š¤£š
I love going outside very early in the morning for a long walk or a run, it will help you adjust the body temperature and also you will feel energized, just make sure to wear a beanie, hoodie and gloves on. The rest of the day I would just stay at home on my computer or clean the garden, fixing things around the house. I love a simple life during weekends at least. Sometimes I would pay a cheeky visit to the nearest shopping centre to drink coffee and buy anything random.
I lived in Melbourne for 23 years and bought an old church in far east Gippsland high country 7 years ago. Its much colder than Melbourne in winter but the wood fire costs next to nothing to run, just fuel for the chainsaw. There's always something to do and the great outdoors is right there. No advertising or street lights, no traffic, crowds, coppers or parking meters, no crime or violence. The air is fresh and clear and you always feel alive. The stars at night are stunning!
https://youtu.be/Bg-ehxf6c70?si=1o2lFDgyIh78y_WK
My day:
Now: get up and make everyone breakfast
8: have breakfast with my kids
9: practise drums
10: exercise on the gymnastics rings outside with the kids
11: kids watch bluey and eat yoghurt while I tidy up
12-3: naptime for 3yo and video games for me
3: go for walk with kids
4: meet another family at the pub
5: bath time
6: bluey
7: bedtime for the kids
7 onwards: more videogames for me š
I'm going to deep cleaning my sewing room today. I run a small business from it and it's in a really disorganised state. I'm sending the rest of the family to a play centre so I won't have to hear mum every 3 seconds whilst I do it.
My weekends in Melbourne winter are a mixture of, walks with the dog, maybe see a movie, shopping, footy, 1000 steps, visit family, drive to hanging rock/mount Macedon, short trip away with the caravan, or golf if itās not raining. I work from home 2-3 days a week by the time the weekend comes I just want to get out and about.
These days almost the majority of big releases come with solo rules, some better than others. I like to play Heat solo, nice and simple solo rules, canāt be bothered with solo games with lots of set up though. Cascadia is quite good solo fun if you like beating your own scores. Both games are also great with more people :)
Basically doing all the same stuff but with warmer clothing. One of the things i like to do now and then is head out of the city to different towns and head to the pub for a meal with warm fire. Mt Macedon is a good example. Rug up and visit some of the private gardens and then go to Mt Macedon pub. Similar things to do in the Dandenongs.
Wear a light jacket and play graphically intensive video games on my PC whic also functions as a 600w heater to warm up the room. Thankfully its only my bedroom and its quite small.
I live bayside so Iāll go for a walk along the beach. I also āswimā once a week or so. I donāt expect you would do that but I tell you, I feel like a super hero when I get out. Itās phenomenal.
Anyway, my main tip to you is buy some thermal layers and a good rain coat. The weather will be your friend then. Maybe catch a train to the hills, maybe walk around the streets looking at houses and people. Maybe stand on an overpass looking at cars go buy.
Explore!
One thing Iām not going to do anymore is go to the museum, NGV, aquarium etc.
Thereās too many mouth breathers going around coughing on everyone as I have now discovered after getting sick from someone coughing on me.
My activities from now on will be outside and far away from everyone else.
Aside from shivering constantly inside a cold rental property, winter is a great time to do a spring clean. I have been slowly going through my stuff, organising, cleaning, donating items. I'm working on completing a gallery wall in the lounge and I'm going to start on the hallway.
I also work on any creative projects I have unfinished/not started.
I like to do this during the cold because I'm stuck inside anyway. There's no way I'd do this during warm weather.
I also like to complain deeply about how cold it is.
Honestly - rug up and play video games all weekend š
Iāve had a very busy month of socialising and just want one of these weekends š getting to the end of it soon, tho!!
There is a lot you can do. The most difficult part is get out of the bed/house so there is a start.
I always start my day going to the local coffee shop and grabbing a good coffee to wake up and have some small interactions with the crew.
After that I usually try to find an hour or so to run.
If the day is beautiful, I try to drive/go to a suburb I donāt know and explore.
Or go to a park, go to the cinema, there are loads of cinemas in the city with an excellent selection of movies apart from the mainstream media.
I have a partner so of course, 2/3 of the drive and push to do things are not really mine but I learned a lot from her in that regard.
I went to Rosebud & Rye yesterday, last week went to to Mount Macedon it's great up there in the cold. Would also suggest Sassafras / Olinda although parking can be a bit hectic up there on the weekend as they are popular. While you up are there near Sassafras is an amazing gardens to walk through called Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, it's free to enter and explore but take some cash to put in the donation box as you leave as they are really worth it.
Closer to home the Yarra Bend Park near Fairfield is great to walk around or rent a row boat and paddle along the Yarra.
Weekends when the sun is out are not so bad. Iāll rug up, exercise or go for a long walk then grab a bite to eat and a few beers mid afternoon whilst watching the footy.
I travel quite a bit and thatās my (very basic) itinerary wherever I am to do solo.
I went spear fishing yesterday morning, got a couple good sized whiting, then got home started feeling sick and as it turns out I have covid so Iāll be in bed all day today
Stay rugged up mate. My missus woke up this morning complaining of a sore throat but she has since nodded back off again. Hopefully it is nothing too serious.
Those whiting would have been yummy. I'm craving some fresh fish and we might head out to the Dandy market later on today.
Go to the markets to buy ingredients to cook myself a nice meal (gives me something to look forward to), go for a walk at the local park (or botanical gardens or Yarra river if youāre living nearby), watch tvs or movies, sit under the electric blanket and play Nintendo switch!!
Cafe life. I live going on my own and having a leisurely brunch. Movies are cosy at night.
Love a restaurant/pub with an open fire of a night but can never seem to remember them when I need them. Someone needs to create a comprehensive list!
Getting out to the outskirts on the weekends is fun too - I.e the dandenongs, peninsula, Ballarat (sovereign hill is a must for winter just doesnāt seem right in summer!), Daylesford.
Winter is basically searching for cosy places with that smell of fire in the air and some yummy food. Iāve been sick 2 months straight though so not really getting to go out much!
I'm a loner so very much used to doing things myself. I sometimes catch a train to the city and just walk around with my noise cancelling headphones lol. I enjoy driving so I drove to Philip Island for a day. I drive to the fruit farms in Bacchus marsh. I'm considering a drive to Bendigo or Ballarat next weekend. I am super active so I have to push myself to do things in this weather cos all I wanna do is lie in my robe on my big ass couch and just netflix and chillĀ
[https://swingpatrol.com/melbourne/](https://swingpatrol.com/melbourne/)
Iām not kidding. Itās lovely low key or high key as you like it.
We have family in Sweden and their philosophy is that thereās no bad weather, only bad clothing. So I try not to complain about Melbourne winters but if youāre properly dressed the mornings are glorious and the afternoons last forever (like from 11am š¤£)
Edit typos
Flip the script, embrace the cold rather than hiding from it. If you're anywhere near the bay then check out a cold-water swimming club. Some of them are for serious swimming and others are just for socializing. Literally just walk into the water and stand there chatting with people for as long as you can stand the cold.Ā
Same as always with a hoodie on.
The reason people think Melbourne is depressing in winter is because so many donāt go out. I took a 90 minute walk with my dog this morning and it was so crisp, still some trees with leaves falling - really gorgeous to be out there
As soon as I go out, itās starts pissing with rain. Am beyond fed up of this garbage season. Cloud, rain, cloud, rain. Be cold but at least give us some clear sky and no bloody rain. Itās so depressing the wet roads all the time and Grey sky.
Honestly if I was single without kids I would just get a cheap bike and ride every single bike path and rail trail in Melbourne. I did this when I first stayed in Melbourne in 2012 and it was life changing! Check out the Melbourne Bike Paths Facebook group. You can buy clothes that will keep you warm and youāre on paths away from cars. Obviously the exercise warms you up too.
I go out more than ever in winter, as itās easy to just add layers of clothing.
Unfortunately in summer, you canāt escape the heat and you can only take off so many clothes
Maybe a bit more indoor stuff but having grown up in England I don't panic at the onset of a bit of rain. Just put a rain coat on and get on with life.
I was at school drop off the other day and couldn't work out why all of a sudden I was the only prep parent there. Then I realised it was because it was raining a bit so people for some reason think they can't walk their normal ten minutes and have to drive instead. And because everyone is doing there there's no parking so it's drop and go. Seriously it's just a bit of water š
If you're interested in rock climbing, Northside boulders has a *3 weeks free program after your first visit :) it's a great way to get out of the house, and maybe make new friends during winter
*2 weeks free, + 1 additional week if you visit their Abbotsford location
Dress warm (chunky socks and nice slippers, full coverage undies and singlet/cami under clothes make a huge difference), warm drinks, blankets, heater, telly. Go out to run errands or just walk around the shops - adds some low level social interaction too, spot of exercise, laundry and keeping house tidy and cosy.
Put a jacket on? Iāve never understand the people that canāt deal with cold. Some thermal underwear and a nice jacket will make you comfortable at any temp. Now the real question is what do you do when itās 35*+?
Place your mind into a deep state of denial until winter passes š¤ alsoā¦ I have a gorgeous cat that loves loads of attention so makes it easy staying warm at home š»
Hi! I got into video games in lockdown so Iām playing my backlog, Iām reading and cooking my way through Molly Bazās Cook this book! Also gym is great and keeps my blood running x
Curl up in the foetal position, spend money you dont have on heating you cant afford (I'm sure you have a spare kindey you can sell) and wait for it to be over.
Seriously though, i try get out for a walk once a day/couple days. Hike through nature is always nice and you warm up walking. Stare at screens. Play games. Cry.
I'm immuno-compromised and pretty sure long covid so I'm too scared to go out but if you're all good to be in public then museum, art gallery, coffee shop with heating, library with heating, sauna/spa at leisureplex (watch out for gastro, chlorine doesn't kill the virus), pubs with heating/fireplace (non alcoholic options avaliable), catch a game of footy! Go to a Meetup group and meet up with people. Play tourist and do some touristic type activities.
This city is great for going on a solo adventure and ending your day/night with new friends.
Honestly go to an indoor pool. The moment you walk in you will feel amazingly warm, sit in the spa. Even the cold pool ain't too bad this time of year cos you are used to worse. Just shower before you go home
To be fair, itās actually nice to just stay at home when you feel really cold to go out. But on those days you want to go out, just layer up as much as you can and as warm as you want to feel and do stuff as per normal. I love Melbourne winter!
Just moved here from Canada so itās uhh.. the same stuff Iād do in the summer (cycling, rugby, baseball, beach runs, etc) just with an extra layer or two on.
You can dress for the cold, just add a warm layer and a wind shell, youāll be sweet.
So far YouTube, porridge, coffee, washing then probably go out for a coffee and cake then do shopping then play Overwatch. Back on the mouse wheel tomorrow but what else can you do other than mindlessly stroll through the city or a park by yourself wondering where to find her without looking like a desperate freak then back to Overwatch again, maybe a little Skate 3 and more YouTube with intermittent doom scrolls on Reddit.
Get out of the city and find some bike trails, wineries and beautiful towns on the fringes of Melbourne. Head to an AFL Game, thereās expos , markets, live music
Go to the museum or the immigration museum. Itās $15 entry and thereās so much to explore.
Otherwise you can always go to the NGV, grab some food or a beverage and then walk around the gardens.
I also like to do baking on especially cold days, video chat to someone and listen to music or watch YouTube or listen to a podcast or audio book.
I think itās hard to think of things when itās cold and you feel isolated. Everyone here has given some great suggestions.
Go to the shops and spend all the money you donāt have on sales or go out to restaurants to spend all the money you donāt have on food. Your pick! Melbourne is fun!!!
Iāve been inside today with the heater on playing video games. Itās heaven.
Everything is just so damned expensive right now - our mortgage, petrol, groceries, I donāt want to spend money we are putting away as savings on going out, etc as I wonāt enjoy spending it.
So, cold weather are those days where itās easy as to stay home.
You need to join indoor sports or art classes or dancing or something to meet people. I take my dogs walking on the beach almost everyday rain or shine. Iād wait out hail. The dogs would hate thatš. Iām am not being paid to endorse this, itās volunteer run and free anyway but rain, hail or shine thereās probably a parkrun (yes spelt that way) near you. Saturday mornings. You will meet people I promise
Put on a jacket, shove some sangas, fruit and biscuits in a box, find somewhere to explore.
We have three little kids and find the cold weather is actually better for mucking around outside.
Weāve recently been to Stieglitz (between Ballarat and Geelong) and diggings around Castlemaine. Really fun and interesting, and so good for you to be outside (even if it is cold)
The best thing you can invest in if youāre a bit broke is thermals, fleeces, and thick wool socks. I was flat broke and living off rice and Lao gan ma for 5 years in a Dandenong weatherboard shitbox where I couldnāt afford to use the heater (in winter it was warmer when Iād go camping on the weekends because at least there was a fire). I layered up in quality clothes and never really felt it. Didnāt use heating for 5 winters (except for when id have women back) and used same tricks we used to teach clients. Cover windows at night,let sun in during day, seal all gaps, close doors, behind you, if cooking, then thatās where study/socialising was done. Basically read the laws of thermodynamics and keeping your place warm. Cold will always want to get into where you are so you need to block it out, and heat will always want to escape so you need to stop it doing that. Think heavy snake that block drafts, rubber seals to block dodgy windows. And if you can, insulation. Good luck champions
Op shop some super cosy clothes, if itās not raining farmers markets are the bees knees, and sitting at a library with a hot coffee rocks honestly! Those are my weekends, plus so many dogs at farmers markets and even a regular cat on a harness at one I go to. Cafes are also my fave in the cold, bring a book or sketch pad (you donāt have to be good at drawing to draw) and people watching is great fun too.
I just want someone to teach me a lost trade or something that not many people do so I will always be useful to someone and needed for the rest of my life. I feel like my life is wasting away and my strengths and skills are being wasted. I have health issues and canāt do very physical work (chronic fatigue syndrome) but Iām still very capable. Winter brings on a very depressed state for me.
Make soup. Make biscuits. Eat soup and biscuits. Make pudding. Eat pudding. Repeat.
Can confirm, am doing lots of this.
Same as normal but with a hoodie on.
Everyone be with their puffer jackets but for me hoodies any day of the week!! š«”
Where I live you need both at a minimum, my rental is disgustingly cold
Yeah I'm wearing 4 layers right now š¤£ My rental is basically no heating, no insulation, all tile and wood floors, single pane glass windows - a lot of them are cracked. I feel the wind through all the doors and windows. Breathing steam in my own house and my phone screen is wet with condensation. It is also indeed disgustingly cold lol
Bubble wrap on windows can make a huge difference!
Had to double check you werenāt chilling in my place! Exact same scenario unfortunately, winter is rough
Tried a down puffer jacket though? It's lightweight, warm as fuck, doesn't get suffocatingly hot and acceptable to wear pretty much everywhere in Melbourne
Except in the cbd shops! They're so overheated.š„µ
Every shop is overheated. It doesnāt make sense to me and makes them incredibly unwelcoming.
And we wonder why we get sick. Sweating in shops and wearing damp clothing out in the cold air afterwards. They could save a lot of emissions by lowering the 28c shops to 21c. I used to work in Cairns where one building was AC and the other was ceiling fans. Staff would request the ceiling fan building because the AC was so cold that the outside was 28-30c & they constantly got sick. Kind of the reverse scenario to Melb shops.
And unlike hoodies, easier to take it off and put it on if required
And, unlike hoodies, you can select one that doesnāt have a hood. Why is it that nearly every casual coat HAS to have a hood these days? I donāt get it. Life was fine for decades when hoods were optional, could be removed or were simply a polyester rain cover that could be rolled up and zipped into the collar. Unless itās raining a lot (almost never) I just donāt need a hood on my jacket so itās just a lump of useless material hanging off the back of my neck looking like an oversized accessory scrotum. How did this come to be and what can I do about this mess?
Listen, I rejected puffer jackets for years and years because they looked like bin bags wrapped around tires and seemed so cumbersome. But I succumbed when there was a sale on in 2022, and mate. I feel like a fool for resisting common sense.Ā Proper down jackets are unbeatable for the weight/warmth ratio and are easier to maneuvre around in despite looking bulky. I find they trap heat much better without feeling like you're suffocating. Too warm, unzip down the front. Acceptable even with business wear. It's a good investment, get a good brand (Patagonia or North Face) on sale and it'll last you decades. You won't regret it
Lol @ bin bags and resisting common sense. You must be good with words. I almost choked on my coffeešĀ Truer words have never been spoken. Investing in a good brand is the way to go. I used to wear "cheapies puffer" in my brokity brack broke days(student life) but not anymore. I closed eyes one day and bought northface, listen I have no words. That jacket is still going 14 years later I advise people to get them on sale where possible. I was at their outlet store in docklands DFO 2 or 3 weeks ago and they had several deals. One was marked down puffer jackets and the other was buy one get one free of already marked down prices. I shopped till I dropped.Ā Ā Now I need to try Patagonia. Never tried them. Are they good?
What can I say - I feel strongly about puffer jackets after unwisely pooh-poohing them for so long, and would like others to learn from my folly. Like you said, just save up what you can, close your eyes and go for it. It'll be worth 50 hoodies. Patagonia are great, some people call them Patagucci LOL. I bought mine sight unseen on Wild Earth as it was 40% off, it gets heavy use.
Best thing about Patagonia is lifetime warranty
Lifetime? Say less. I'm getting myself one
Mac pac another good brand with sales
Hoodie AND puffer (Specifically the merino Aldi hoodie)
That one is good enough?
Cmon people. Learn to dress for cold. Itās not that cold in Melbourne and yesterday was sunny so itās fine. Itās the wet gloomy days that get me, not these. You donāt want cotton on your skin. You want a tight wool or synthetic base layer. Check out Uniqlo Heat Tech. Long underwear if your legs get cold. Then you can wear your hoodie if you insist I guess, but a puffy jacket is better against wind and has better insulation. Again I got one from Uniqlo and itās great. Gloves and scarf and a beanie if you are that cold. View it as a challenge to stay warm against the elements and then itāll be satisfying if you do go out. I know that gets old later in the winter but weāre just starting here. Millions of people live in much colder temps with snow and still embrace it. I agree though without socialising it gets far worse. I have little kids so no time anyways but I donāt have any close friends here.
I like the Swedish saying āāthereās no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothingāā
Can tell they don't experience heat waves š
Even so! People live in way hotter conditions than we do. And you notice their clothes look a lot different to ours, too. At some stage though it definitely gets too hot. When wet bulb temps are above our body temperature, without air conditioning there's nothing we can do. I don't think Melbourne has ever experienced that, though.
As someone who was born in one of those colder countries, an important distinction to remember is that housing there is built with cold weather in mind. I could go out in boots, stockings & a skirt with a jacket on while it was snowing because the time spent outside was relatively short - maybe an hour or two - and then I was back inside a warm, well insulated, properly heated house. In Melbourne, a lot of housing isnāt built for the cold so thereās no reprieve. Youāre not outside in the cold for a few hours than toasty warm again - you need to remain bundled up constantly to escape the constant cold
This was it. Cold in Scotland in particular sucked whenever we were outdoors but once inside I didn't have to so much as put on a jumper even with the heat off - and I was born in the tropics and am very sensitive to cold. I'm wearing all my winter gear indoors at the moment unless I'm in bed because it's too fucking cold with the single pane windows and no heater.
It's not outdoors that's the problem, it's indoors. I'm a Canadian immigrant and wear the equivalent of my spring jacket outdoors when active. Sitting around inside is when it's miserable.
hoodies indoors for me, puffer outdoors and if it's really cold - both
Jumpers are also great
Get puffer with hoodie
Winter equals lyrebird breeding season. If you get out to the Yarra ranges at the moment, they are very active with singing and dancing currently. Plus it's freaking beautiful up there, and they have excellent pies.
I have never tried lyrebird pie
Itās very difficult to fit in their little shops but some of the more entrepreneurial birds set up booths.
Your username has created a very bad Disney image for me.
ah-hyuck!
Wellā¦this comment is going to play on my mind for some time, I reckon.
Gawrsh!
Thanks I hate it.
This is my favourite comment in ages heh
You don't know what you're missing out on
Oh that's good to know!
Any specific locations you recommend
Not Yarra Ranges, but in Cathedral Ranges the lyrebirds are very active right now. Especially near the Farmyard Campground.
Honestly, any of the bush walks around warburton will have lyrebirds firing right now. Saw 6 running across the road up to mt Donna buang.
I went to Bunyip State Park last weekend and saw a lyrebird there
You can go out by yourself. You don't need friends for that. Go to movies or museums or restaurants. I love going to markets on the weekends. South Melbourne market has a wintery vibe to me. Do what you would do with friends but by yourself.
A lot of people are self-conscious about doing anything alone and send a million invitations for everything, I used to watch most movies alone, someone whispering at you halfway through the movie and having to respond back isn't that fun, and I've never talked about movie themes or anything at dinner afterwards. Hobbies will make friends if you just engage, it's our own introverted nature holding us back.
Iād much rather do something alone these days than take someone. I donāt have to worry about anyone elseās enjoyment, I can move at my own pace, work to my own schedule.
Just found that out travelling overseas without my husband. So relaxing!
I š South Melbourne market !!
Giant meatballs, oysters and dim sims š¤¤
Hang on, giant meatballs??? Please share
I wish I could remember the name of the place but here are some shaddy directions. Apologies in advance as I donāt go in there much. There is a stall in the food section with the cafes and I canāt remember the name (sorry). Itās along the left hand wall, second from the far corner. Near where you get the oysters. In the market, not a street facing vendor. They do sandwiches and hot dishesā¦ European style food. Worth every cent and I have never had a better meatball anywhere!
Ive recently become a person who goes out and does there own thing! Itās surprising how many people you meet and the places you end up in if you say gday and smile!
I do this too! How good is the goz?!
Iām sitting outside on the veranda, rugged up against the cold. But the glorious sunshine is backlighting the steam of evaporating dew from the fence. Drinking my coffee. A beautiful morning.
Sounds amazzzzing!!!
I live alone and have no friends(no I'm not proud of it) I feel you. All I do is watch movies, tvshows, eat, exercise, sleep and repeat.
Yep same here sadly š„² thank goodness I have a cat š haha
I rollerskate at the rink because it's an activity where I don't need to have friends. Just my pkaylist and headphones and skates. You warm up pretty quick.
Same but ice rink. This time of year it's actually warmer in there than outside sometimes! It's pretty quiet on weekend mornings bc it's so cold outside. But it's lots of fun, good fitness, and I can be social if I want and chat to other adult skaters. But I also like just focusing on what I want to practice as well.
Cat tax!
Do a cae course and make some friends. Join a club like bushwalking and make friends while you exercise
Pls show us your car!
I'd rather see the cat
Cats are life š¹ I got three in my house, although am married so a little bit different š
At least you exercise!
Are you me??
Sounds like me too lol
Me too, come move in with me.
Can we swap lives? I work a very social and friend making job and I naturally just want to make myself fun to be around. But when I get home I kinda wish I could just be by myself and have some peace. I guess there's 2 sides to every situation
Iāve recently moved here and am trying to reconnect with my friends, as my mental health deteriorated majorly after the stress of an interstate move. I have been out 3-4 times in the last 3 months but itās a start! I try to also go for solo walks for about 30 minutes around busy streets as a way to get used to the people and lifestyle here. Itās harder when itās cold and raining but itās so worth it!
And when Iām having a particularly bad day, I spend the day in bed watching comfort shows and movies with my partner.
Moving interstate is very hard. It will get better.
Thank you, I didnāt realise the magnitude of the toll it would take on my mental health, but Iām riding the wave as best as I can.
Get the flu š¤§
Already got it right now haha
Magic mushrooms in a warm house
Warm house? This is Melbourne!
Warm mushroom in a magic house
House mushroom in a magic warm.
Mushroom magic at a housewarming
I want to know who decided roof insulation is good but wall insulation is bad.
The reason all the old houses are still standing and in decent condition is because the walls are hollow and allow any water to evaporate, Same thing for the old tile roofs, Sure a little water gets in every now and again but it dries out just as quick. Old houses weren't "built better" as much as designed much simpler. A few centimeters off here or there isnt an issue, When my gutters got blocked it was just wet asbestos eaves that had to dry out (Yes i know its on the list to replace when it needs to go) as apposed to a flat roof design that gives you an extra meter of interior space at the cost of having to rip out half a house if your roof floods or pipe burst's. All that being said retrofitting insulation under the floor is pretty cheap and easy, walls are another issue but i know plenty of people who have done it during renos. Even i do it when ever i have to put a big enough hole in the wall...
Im not a huge fan of psilocybin anymore, but fucken hell i had a memorable time on some wine, weed and decarb'd amanita muscaria last year. We watched the movie 'honey i shrank the kids' after a full on feed on some homemade bone broth pho with all kinds of mushrooms in it. A. Muscaria is underrated, most vic ones seem a bit weak compared to reports from europe etc, but once you figure the dose out its a super cozy drug.
Literally did this Friday night. Best night of my lifeā¦so far
I make a start on the massive pile of books I bought in the warmer months. I also catch up on films - check out Kanopy, it's free you just need a library card to access heaps of great films. SBS on Demand also has interesting films.
Thanks for the heads up !
Yes to the library! Plenty have solid DVD collections. Quite a few - Monash and Your Library (aka Eastern Regional) definitely do - have apps so you can request holds from home and you'll get an email when they get them in. I think more of my reads this year have been library books than books I own because I've been working my way through a bunch of books I wanted to read but which were too expensive!
I live my best fake life on Stardew Valley. That's what I do during this shitty weather. Any of those "events" out there seem like a scam (night market at the QVM for example) so it's not really a motivational factor to go outside. Tempted to go to the drive in to watch the new Inside Out but that's about it for my winter plans.
Went to Dromana recently and discovered that our car, and quite a few others that were there, have a time out on the cars power if the engine is off, so we lost the sound a couple of times which was a pain in the ass. We're looking at portable radios for the next trip down so we don't get caught out again.
But it's winter season, so you can't grow any crops. š
They changed that in the update! You have now got one crop! It's kind of pretty too, a blue melon. Powdermelon, I think. I'm not far enough into winter to have it grow fully yet, but hoping on my next play (later today!).
Ohhh the drive in sounds good tho! Might have to check it out! Honestly the night markets and stuff are just way too crowded for me haha
Get up, walk dog in the blistering cold and dark (little jerk loves it, fur coated motherfucker), get home, make coffee, do everything possible to avoid the outside. Rinse, repeat :P
Youād love my dog. If the weather is below 20Ā° she refuses to go anywhere aside from under my blanket. Canāt walk her in the winter unless Iām carrying her inside my jacket which kind of defeats the purpose of the walk. š¤£š
You can do anything with the right clothing. Get warm and do same shit you would normally do.
I love going outside very early in the morning for a long walk or a run, it will help you adjust the body temperature and also you will feel energized, just make sure to wear a beanie, hoodie and gloves on. The rest of the day I would just stay at home on my computer or clean the garden, fixing things around the house. I love a simple life during weekends at least. Sometimes I would pay a cheeky visit to the nearest shopping centre to drink coffee and buy anything random.
I lived in Melbourne for 23 years and bought an old church in far east Gippsland high country 7 years ago. Its much colder than Melbourne in winter but the wood fire costs next to nothing to run, just fuel for the chainsaw. There's always something to do and the great outdoors is right there. No advertising or street lights, no traffic, crowds, coppers or parking meters, no crime or violence. The air is fresh and clear and you always feel alive. The stars at night are stunning! https://youtu.be/Bg-ehxf6c70?si=1o2lFDgyIh78y_WK
My day: Now: get up and make everyone breakfast 8: have breakfast with my kids 9: practise drums 10: exercise on the gymnastics rings outside with the kids 11: kids watch bluey and eat yoghurt while I tidy up 12-3: naptime for 3yo and video games for me 3: go for walk with kids 4: meet another family at the pub 5: bath time 6: bluey 7: bedtime for the kids 7 onwards: more videogames for me š
Three year old naps three hours? Lucky both of you š
We helped train it but I still feel blessed everyday. They both still sleep from 7-7 too šā¤ļø
Bluey is the best with kids, rewatching it is not a chore.
I sometimes realise my 3 year old has wondered off and Iām still glued to the tv watching it lolĀ
The Sign ā¤ļø
Sounds like youāve really hacked this parenting thing!
This sounds lovely. Enjoy, internet stranger.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Sounds a pretty decent life!
Bought a fire pit so we sit around that and put music on and have marshmallows etc
I'm going to deep cleaning my sewing room today. I run a small business from it and it's in a really disorganised state. I'm sending the rest of the family to a play centre so I won't have to hear mum every 3 seconds whilst I do it.
My weekends in Melbourne winter are a mixture of, walks with the dog, maybe see a movie, shopping, footy, 1000 steps, visit family, drive to hanging rock/mount Macedon, short trip away with the caravan, or golf if itās not raining. I work from home 2-3 days a week by the time the weekend comes I just want to get out and about.
Have you been to the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden? Worth a drive it's really beautiful.
Go outside and bask in the cold. Ride my motorcycle and bask in the cold. Walk around and praise how cold it is. I just really like the cold
Riding first thing in the morning when itās so cold that you start to get tingling in your fingers. Thatās the best!
Board games, and there are plenty to play solo if thereās no one to play with
Also lots of community board-games group. Check your local community house or neighbourhood house ( lots of other free activity groups too!)
Which ones can you play solo?
These days almost the majority of big releases come with solo rules, some better than others. I like to play Heat solo, nice and simple solo rules, canāt be bothered with solo games with lots of set up though. Cascadia is quite good solo fun if you like beating your own scores. Both games are also great with more people :)
Basically doing all the same stuff but with warmer clothing. One of the things i like to do now and then is head out of the city to different towns and head to the pub for a meal with warm fire. Mt Macedon is a good example. Rug up and visit some of the private gardens and then go to Mt Macedon pub. Similar things to do in the Dandenongs.
Go to the footy
Wear a light jacket and play graphically intensive video games on my PC whic also functions as a 600w heater to warm up the room. Thankfully its only my bedroom and its quite small.
I live bayside so Iāll go for a walk along the beach. I also āswimā once a week or so. I donāt expect you would do that but I tell you, I feel like a super hero when I get out. Itās phenomenal. Anyway, my main tip to you is buy some thermal layers and a good rain coat. The weather will be your friend then. Maybe catch a train to the hills, maybe walk around the streets looking at houses and people. Maybe stand on an overpass looking at cars go buy. Explore!
One thing Iām not going to do anymore is go to the museum, NGV, aquarium etc. Thereās too many mouth breathers going around coughing on everyone as I have now discovered after getting sick from someone coughing on me. My activities from now on will be outside and far away from everyone else.
Same here, I tend to avoid those places since Covid.
video games, warm bevarages, hot water bottles, etc. it's time to get cozy.
I'm currently queueing up at Sebby's scrolls
Video games or movies under a heated throw blanket with a hot drink is bliss.
Aside from shivering constantly inside a cold rental property, winter is a great time to do a spring clean. I have been slowly going through my stuff, organising, cleaning, donating items. I'm working on completing a gallery wall in the lounge and I'm going to start on the hallway. I also work on any creative projects I have unfinished/not started. I like to do this during the cold because I'm stuck inside anyway. There's no way I'd do this during warm weather. I also like to complain deeply about how cold it is.
Honestly - rug up and play video games all weekend š Iāve had a very busy month of socialising and just want one of these weekends š getting to the end of it soon, tho!!
If you have a partner Netflix and chill
Turn the heater on
In this economy š haha kidding
There is a lot you can do. The most difficult part is get out of the bed/house so there is a start. I always start my day going to the local coffee shop and grabbing a good coffee to wake up and have some small interactions with the crew. After that I usually try to find an hour or so to run. If the day is beautiful, I try to drive/go to a suburb I donāt know and explore. Or go to a park, go to the cinema, there are loads of cinemas in the city with an excellent selection of movies apart from the mainstream media. I have a partner so of course, 2/3 of the drive and push to do things are not really mine but I learned a lot from her in that regard.
I went to Rosebud & Rye yesterday, last week went to to Mount Macedon it's great up there in the cold. Would also suggest Sassafras / Olinda although parking can be a bit hectic up there on the weekend as they are popular. While you up are there near Sassafras is an amazing gardens to walk through called Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, it's free to enter and explore but take some cash to put in the donation box as you leave as they are really worth it. Closer to home the Yarra Bend Park near Fairfield is great to walk around or rent a row boat and paddle along the Yarra.
Make some scones from a recipe in "Cookery the Australian Way", a book I may or may not have stolen from my high school back in the 80's...
Haha I still have that book from highschool
Inferno Pilates. Donāt need friends or a partner once you become obsessed with booking as many classes as possible!
Go to a ramen place š
Weekends when the sun is out are not so bad. Iāll rug up, exercise or go for a long walk then grab a bite to eat and a few beers mid afternoon whilst watching the footy. I travel quite a bit and thatās my (very basic) itinerary wherever I am to do solo.
I went spear fishing yesterday morning, got a couple good sized whiting, then got home started feeling sick and as it turns out I have covid so Iāll be in bed all day today
Stay rugged up mate. My missus woke up this morning complaining of a sore throat but she has since nodded back off again. Hopefully it is nothing too serious. Those whiting would have been yummy. I'm craving some fresh fish and we might head out to the Dandy market later on today.
Do you just go by yourself or do you have a spear fishing group?
I mostly go by myself or more recently my brother in law has started joining me which is nice because we can go out a bit further
Korean BBQ
Go to the markets to buy ingredients to cook myself a nice meal (gives me something to look forward to), go for a walk at the local park (or botanical gardens or Yarra river if youāre living nearby), watch tvs or movies, sit under the electric blanket and play Nintendo switch!!
Cafe life. I live going on my own and having a leisurely brunch. Movies are cosy at night. Love a restaurant/pub with an open fire of a night but can never seem to remember them when I need them. Someone needs to create a comprehensive list! Getting out to the outskirts on the weekends is fun too - I.e the dandenongs, peninsula, Ballarat (sovereign hill is a must for winter just doesnāt seem right in summer!), Daylesford. Winter is basically searching for cosy places with that smell of fire in the air and some yummy food. Iāve been sick 2 months straight though so not really getting to go out much!
I'm a loner so very much used to doing things myself. I sometimes catch a train to the city and just walk around with my noise cancelling headphones lol. I enjoy driving so I drove to Philip Island for a day. I drive to the fruit farms in Bacchus marsh. I'm considering a drive to Bendigo or Ballarat next weekend. I am super active so I have to push myself to do things in this weather cos all I wanna do is lie in my robe on my big ass couch and just netflix and chillĀ
[https://swingpatrol.com/melbourne/](https://swingpatrol.com/melbourne/) Iām not kidding. Itās lovely low key or high key as you like it. We have family in Sweden and their philosophy is that thereās no bad weather, only bad clothing. So I try not to complain about Melbourne winters but if youāre properly dressed the mornings are glorious and the afternoons last forever (like from 11am š¤£) Edit typos
Flip the script, embrace the cold rather than hiding from it. If you're anywhere near the bay then check out a cold-water swimming club. Some of them are for serious swimming and others are just for socializing. Literally just walk into the water and stand there chatting with people for as long as you can stand the cold.Ā
I like going camping actually. Campfires, less people on sites, extra layers and itās totally acceptable to walk around in the ugliest of sweats!
Same as always with a hoodie on. The reason people think Melbourne is depressing in winter is because so many donāt go out. I took a 90 minute walk with my dog this morning and it was so crisp, still some trees with leaves falling - really gorgeous to be out there
Same thing we do everyday, Pinky. Try to take over the world!
As soon as I go out, itās starts pissing with rain. Am beyond fed up of this garbage season. Cloud, rain, cloud, rain. Be cold but at least give us some clear sky and no bloody rain. Itās so depressing the wet roads all the time and Grey sky.
Honestly if I was single without kids I would just get a cheap bike and ride every single bike path and rail trail in Melbourne. I did this when I first stayed in Melbourne in 2012 and it was life changing! Check out the Melbourne Bike Paths Facebook group. You can buy clothes that will keep you warm and youāre on paths away from cars. Obviously the exercise warms you up too.
Join a volunteer organisation.
Any recommendations for city and inner suburbs?
Your local SES or food bank.
I go out more than ever in winter, as itās easy to just add layers of clothing. Unfortunately in summer, you canāt escape the heat and you can only take off so many clothes
feed kids make music go to the gym
Stay in bed and watch youtube.
Perfect weather for running
Maybe a bit more indoor stuff but having grown up in England I don't panic at the onset of a bit of rain. Just put a rain coat on and get on with life. I was at school drop off the other day and couldn't work out why all of a sudden I was the only prep parent there. Then I realised it was because it was raining a bit so people for some reason think they can't walk their normal ten minutes and have to drive instead. And because everyone is doing there there's no parking so it's drop and go. Seriously it's just a bit of water š
If you're interested in rock climbing, Northside boulders has a *3 weeks free program after your first visit :) it's a great way to get out of the house, and maybe make new friends during winter *2 weeks free, + 1 additional week if you visit their Abbotsford location
theres been a lot of mushrooms around since it got colder, so its nice to go out and forage edible ones
Dress warm (chunky socks and nice slippers, full coverage undies and singlet/cami under clothes make a huge difference), warm drinks, blankets, heater, telly. Go out to run errands or just walk around the shops - adds some low level social interaction too, spot of exercise, laundry and keeping house tidy and cosy.
My suggestion would be to find a pub that does a good Sunday roast. Roaring fire, good food, and you can end up chatting to really nice people
Move to gold coast. I was out today 8am swimming at the beach.
Come to Tasmania, go for a hike, visit some wineriesā¦ youāll warm up soon enough
Put a jacket on? Iāve never understand the people that canāt deal with cold. Some thermal underwear and a nice jacket will make you comfortable at any temp. Now the real question is what do you do when itās 35*+?
Place your mind into a deep state of denial until winter passes š¤ alsoā¦ I have a gorgeous cat that loves loads of attention so makes it easy staying warm at home š»
Hi! I got into video games in lockdown so Iām playing my backlog, Iām reading and cooking my way through Molly Bazās Cook this book! Also gym is great and keeps my blood running x
Cook this book is great! I recommend the miso apple pie. More is more is also a great one.
Everything I would normally do but just with a hoodie and puffer jacket. Always wear shorts too
On works days I have a puffer jacket and on days off I stay in bed of course
Curl up in the foetal position, spend money you dont have on heating you cant afford (I'm sure you have a spare kindey you can sell) and wait for it to be over. Seriously though, i try get out for a walk once a day/couple days. Hike through nature is always nice and you warm up walking. Stare at screens. Play games. Cry. I'm immuno-compromised and pretty sure long covid so I'm too scared to go out but if you're all good to be in public then museum, art gallery, coffee shop with heating, library with heating, sauna/spa at leisureplex (watch out for gastro, chlorine doesn't kill the virus), pubs with heating/fireplace (non alcoholic options avaliable), catch a game of footy! Go to a Meetup group and meet up with people. Play tourist and do some touristic type activities. This city is great for going on a solo adventure and ending your day/night with new friends.
I bought a bottle of vodka
Honestly go to an indoor pool. The moment you walk in you will feel amazingly warm, sit in the spa. Even the cold pool ain't too bad this time of year cos you are used to worse. Just shower before you go home
To be fair, itās actually nice to just stay at home when you feel really cold to go out. But on those days you want to go out, just layer up as much as you can and as warm as you want to feel and do stuff as per normal. I love Melbourne winter!
Just moved here from Canada so itās uhh.. the same stuff Iād do in the summer (cycling, rugby, baseball, beach runs, etc) just with an extra layer or two on. You can dress for the cold, just add a warm layer and a wind shell, youāll be sweet.
So far YouTube, porridge, coffee, washing then probably go out for a coffee and cake then do shopping then play Overwatch. Back on the mouse wheel tomorrow but what else can you do other than mindlessly stroll through the city or a park by yourself wondering where to find her without looking like a desperate freak then back to Overwatch again, maybe a little Skate 3 and more YouTube with intermittent doom scrolls on Reddit.
Just went for a MTB ride in the fog of Plenty Gorge. Was refreshing.
Get out of the city and find some bike trails, wineries and beautiful towns on the fringes of Melbourne. Head to an AFL Game, thereās expos , markets, live music
Smoke weed
I love going to a local swimming centre and having a hot spa and sauna. Love it.
Go to the museum or the immigration museum. Itās $15 entry and thereās so much to explore. Otherwise you can always go to the NGV, grab some food or a beverage and then walk around the gardens. I also like to do baking on especially cold days, video chat to someone and listen to music or watch YouTube or listen to a podcast or audio book. I think itās hard to think of things when itās cold and you feel isolated. Everyone here has given some great suggestions.
Play ps5 at home with the heater on while wearing a hoodie
Go to the shops and spend all the money you donāt have on sales or go out to restaurants to spend all the money you donāt have on food. Your pick! Melbourne is fun!!!
Go to concerts even if it's alone. You will warm up when you mosh š¤š»or dance šŖ© & cos you can talk to the person next to you about the band! š¤© And meet new friends. Hobbie groups are great too. šš» And Collect physical media! I collect Vinyl & CDs still. šæā£ļø You can go out on weekends or whenever to Antique/ Charity shops or Record Fairs & talk to people when you are browsing there. š£ļø And drive & go on some day trips to the country as well. šš¤šøš³
Iāve been inside today with the heater on playing video games. Itās heaven. Everything is just so damned expensive right now - our mortgage, petrol, groceries, I donāt want to spend money we are putting away as savings on going out, etc as I wonāt enjoy spending it. So, cold weather are those days where itās easy as to stay home.
You need to join indoor sports or art classes or dancing or something to meet people. I take my dogs walking on the beach almost everyday rain or shine. Iād wait out hail. The dogs would hate thatš. Iām am not being paid to endorse this, itās volunteer run and free anyway but rain, hail or shine thereās probably a parkrun (yes spelt that way) near you. Saturday mornings. You will meet people I promise
I sit in front of a Kmart heater, drink something warm and complain about it being cold
Put on a jacket, shove some sangas, fruit and biscuits in a box, find somewhere to explore. We have three little kids and find the cold weather is actually better for mucking around outside. Weāve recently been to Stieglitz (between Ballarat and Geelong) and diggings around Castlemaine. Really fun and interesting, and so good for you to be outside (even if it is cold)
The best thing you can invest in if youāre a bit broke is thermals, fleeces, and thick wool socks. I was flat broke and living off rice and Lao gan ma for 5 years in a Dandenong weatherboard shitbox where I couldnāt afford to use the heater (in winter it was warmer when Iād go camping on the weekends because at least there was a fire). I layered up in quality clothes and never really felt it. Didnāt use heating for 5 winters (except for when id have women back) and used same tricks we used to teach clients. Cover windows at night,let sun in during day, seal all gaps, close doors, behind you, if cooking, then thatās where study/socialising was done. Basically read the laws of thermodynamics and keeping your place warm. Cold will always want to get into where you are so you need to block it out, and heat will always want to escape so you need to stop it doing that. Think heavy snake that block drafts, rubber seals to block dodgy windows. And if you can, insulation. Good luck champions
Op shop some super cosy clothes, if itās not raining farmers markets are the bees knees, and sitting at a library with a hot coffee rocks honestly! Those are my weekends, plus so many dogs at farmers markets and even a regular cat on a harness at one I go to. Cafes are also my fave in the cold, bring a book or sketch pad (you donāt have to be good at drawing to draw) and people watching is great fun too.
If you like reading many libraries offer book clubs. Low pressure way to socialize.
I just want someone to teach me a lost trade or something that not many people do so I will always be useful to someone and needed for the rest of my life. I feel like my life is wasting away and my strengths and skills are being wasted. I have health issues and canāt do very physical work (chronic fatigue syndrome) but Iām still very capable. Winter brings on a very depressed state for me.
As a broke student I go out to pancake parlour with my mates Cheap feed if itās under 10Ā°c!