I used to be a summer lover, but now I find myself slowly gravitating towards the charm of winter. It’s not that I have entirely abandoned my fondness for summer, but the extreme heat and humidity that comes with it has dampened my enthusiasm.

Unlike summer, the winter weather is blissfully cool. The days of feeling sticky and uncomfortable from the sweltering heat no longer linger around. Instead, the crisp chill of the winter air cools me, making outdoor activities far more enjoyable. No more worrying about sweat-soaked clothes and constant dehydration.

Winter clothing is an absolute delight. There is nothing in summer that you cannot wear in winter, but the reverse is not true. And as I work in the corporate sector, it is very difficult to wear suits and blazers in today’s summer. Even summer blazers have given up. But in winters, you can wear heavy or light and decide the “temperature control“ yourself, rather than relying on fans and air-conditioners.

In summers, my car drinks petrol like I drink Pepsi – consumption rate is directly proportional to heat outside. That day I was wondering why I was getting a record-low mileage, and then it struck me – for hours altogether, my car stands parked under the sun. I think all the petrol just evaporates there. The slow traffic and traffic jams are cherries on top. So my car is on a drinking spree, while running as well as when parked. Summer burns my petrol, and money. Winter gives me more mileage.

The drinking reminds me of food, and culinary delights of winter deserve an honourable mention. Warm soups, hot tea, and hearty stews become regulars on the menu, providing a different level of comfort. Having a hot cup of green tea outdoors during summer is unthinkable. The outdoor seating area in cafes become suitable for smokers only, no matter how alluring the ambience is. In winters, you can choose to enjoy wherever you like.

Winter also allows for better sleep. There’s nothing quite like snuggling under a pile of blankets and feeling the warmth get under your skin slowly. Unlike the restless nights in summer, where the heat can make it difficult to fall asleep, winter brings me peaceful slumbers.

I also feel like the winter days are more enjoyable. There is some kind of festive spirit, illuminated evenings and walking environment in winters. Now summer days have just become times to turn on the AC or find some good place with a strong AC and spend the entire time there. I don’t feel like enjoying in summers anymore. Shopping is also painful with a sweaty or sticky body, all thanks to humidity.

For all these reasons, and many more, my love for winter has grown immensely over the years. The cool weather, diverse clothing options, great food and more mileage make winter an alluring time of the year for me. Sometimes, I still appreciate the diminishing joys of summer. But now, as the days grow shorter and the air becomes crisper, I find myself eagerly awaiting the arrival of winter.