Surviving the Windy City Chill

Let’s be honest: Illinois winters aren't for the faint of heart. When the temperature drops low enough that your nose hairs start to freeze, you have two choices: move to the tropics or lean into the madness. Since I can’t afford a permanent vacation to Fiji, I have decided to embrace the absurdity of living in a giant freezer.

My current fashion aesthetic is 'Michelin Man meets arctic explorer.' If I can still bend my elbows, I haven't worn enough layers. I’ve started telling myself that I am not just cold; I am cultivating a 'rugged, survivalist chic.' It helps when you are waiting for the bus and the wind-chill turns your eyelashes into icicles.

I have also found that the best cure for a cold day is a bowl of soup so hot it borders on dangerous, paired with an audiobook that transports me to somewhere sunny. Keep your chin up, Illinoisans. We might be shivering, but at least we have the best deep-dish pizza in the world to keep us company while we wait for spring to arrive.