Bomb Cyclones, Good Music, and Winning the Winter
Thriving instead of hibernating.
First things first I have to say my fault for the absence. It was dumb to let this ‘stack idle for a month, even if I was busy with real life. So for my friends who read, thanks for being here, and for the other half of the readership I don’t know (but I’m so thankful for) I appreciate you being here too, and I’ll be sure to post more consistently.
Now, onto the fun stuff.
There’s a massive blizzard headed towards Long Island (and the entire U.S. Northeast) at the time of writing. The experts are predicting as much as 2+ feet in some areas, and it should significantly shut operations down around the Island for at least 24 hours.
A usual, our friends in the media aren’t content to tell you that there’s a blizzard outside and to stay home for a bit, instead they have to coin a new phrase to keep you in your ever-heightened state of hysteria: Bomb Cyclone.
The term gives off the same fictional corniness as Sharknado or something to that effect.
Essentially, a “Bomb Cyclone” is a winter version of a mild hurricane- a small cyclone from the “mid-latitude” region intensifies due to a lowering pressure, and travels northward accumulating mass and dumping precipitation in high levels on anyone and anything in its path. Nothing explodes, but there is a cyclone- so the term isn’t entirely ridiculous, but it’s nothing to be afraid of, either.
Here on Long Island we’re no stranger to powerful winters, this weekend being yet another example. I vividly remember our snowiest day in history (February 9, 2013). While most were inside safe and sound, I was walking around the neighborhood like a madman, taking photos and videos and soaking it all in (Yes, I confess to being a big time weather nerd. Thunderstorms are a solid second favorite in my book-LI is pretty good for those, too)
All my life I’ve been a winter guy. In fact, if I had to “power rank” the seasons, it would go like this: Winter, Summer, Spring, Fall. However, I can’t help but notice the extreme distaste for winter amongst almost everyone I know. I genuinely don’t get it, and believe that it’s high time we start looking at the winter months differently- they can offer a lot more opportunity than one may think.
All romanticism of the weather aside, winter is the season for the doers.
Working out in the spring and summer? Easy. Go for a run outside, a walk on the beach, swimming in the ocean. Only the real ones are schlepping (regional term) into the iron palace* on 20 degree days to forge the body they’ll display 7 months down the line.
In the winter time, work, school and sports are all in full swing- there’s nowhere to hide. It’s the “busy season” in almost every industry, save for the two week Christmas window where things slow down for a brief period.
It’s the time to build yourself up physically and financially so that you can thrive once the frost starts to thaw.
However, this isn’t how mainstream society views winter. It’s viewed as a time to succumb to the warmth and safety of the couch, to gorge out on whatever you’d like to eat (because you’ll start working out next month, right?) and generally go into a zombified state of autopilot until around Opening Day. This approach is not only a tremendous waste of time, but people are also squandering a massive window of opportunity as well.
Never fear- your boy has you covered with a few steps to “Win the Winter” and come into the warmer months like you’ve been shot out of a cannon.
Before I begin, let’s look at it logically: What is life but a competition with others in so many different realms? While success in any endeavor in life is rarely a “zero sum” game, it doesn’t hurt if your competition is in a food coma or binge watching garbage while you’re out there getting it done. Jocko Willink has a catchphrase he uses often: “Up before the enemy”- think of capitalizing on Dec-March as being up before the enemy, albeit on a far broader scale.
First off, you have to stay in shape. If working out isn’t appetizing, reframe it like this: most people are still working off their “Quarantine-15” (or 20, or 30…) and will be packing lb’s on top of that this winter. If you avoid this common pitfall you’ll literally be moving faster than everyone else come spring time. It doesn’t have to be a full-on blitz of being in the weight room 5x a week (although I strongly endorse that) , even getting at least 10,000 steps a day and deleting Uber Eats off your phone would do the trick.
Secondly, now is the time to stack cash. As I mentioned above, almost all businesses are in full swing and in their respective “busy seasons”. CEO’s, HNWI’s and other decision makers won’t be running off to the Hamptons or Nantucket any time soon, so take advantage of the full speed rush of the Q1 business cycle- take on extra hours or start a side hustle while the iron is hot. Trying to get deals across the finish line during the summer time can be maddening.
Lastly, (and this is the most important one) work on something that means something to you. A passion project. Everyone has talents, something they’re extraordinarily good at. The proliferation of social media usage only magnifies this- one scroll through Instagram or Tik Tok will provide countless videos of impressive human achievement, whether it’s making art, playing music, doing parkour…the possibilities are endless. What better way to use the quiet, freezing months than to hone your own skills into a project that’s personally meaningful? It’ll provide an immense sense of satisfaction (and stave off S.A.D.- more on that in a little) and feeling of purpose. Maybe it’s painting, or Twitch streaming, or a Substack (I’ll subscribe!) whatever it may be- go for it. You’ll be incredibly fulfilled and happy that you did. Plus, it’s infinitely more rewarding than slogging down Mac n’ cheese watching All White Men Are Bad or whatever the Netflix flavor of the month is.
Now, all of this advice is well and good, and will put you miles ahead of the rest of the pack when things warm up and get more fun- but it’s certainly easier said than done. While I literally wrote this article, I’ll openly admit that somedays, being at max productivity (especially in the winter) is an incredible struggle. It’s extremely tempting to want to throw in the towel on a 15 degree grey Tuesday in the middle of January. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a real, tangible thing.
So, how to combat S.A.D.? Visualization. The power of visualization cannot be understated- don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it. There’s two ways to use visualization: pleasure or pain. The first example of pleasure would be to envision building your ultimate self and what that would look like. For some, this is enough to light the fire to get into the gym or start that side hustle. However, for the bulk of the population (and your’s truly) visualization through pain is far more effective. There’s a cliché that’s often heard: “Hell is actually the person you became meeting the person you could’ve been”. It might be a bit dramatic, but if this phrase doesn’t get you up and running, nothing will. The image of falling short of your goals because you didn’t even try should be a harrowing thought for anybody. Don’t forget this gem as well:
I think I’ve made my point pretty clear, but to sum it up, use this time to make yourself into a masterpiece instead of a mess. It’s easy to get lost in a fog of Hulu, Netflix, video games and whatever else until the fun and fast pace of spring and summer life returns. Summer ends and you’re right back to square one, only a year older (and a few pounds heavier).
Use the gift of winter time to build the dream you want, instead of letting it float away.
Okay, so that ended on a bit of a hard note. Let’s lighten things up before we part ways- I threw together a little snow playlist to enjoy over your wintry weekend:
(Also shoutout to Substack for making Spotify integration incredibly easy)
Document One- Holy Moly: So this actually came up on my Spotify discover playlist during a snowstorm in 2019. The chaotic pace of the song and the powerful bass line provide the perfect soundtrack to driving through the hysteria on the roadways when the snow begins to fall. Now I’m not advising you go driving as the snow is accumulating and people are freaking out on the roads and spinning out into the shoulder, etc.- I’m just saying if you were to do that, this is the ideal song to listen to. Also it’s really really fun to do.
Lane 8- Watermelon Wormhole: This is the latest work from Lane 8, one of my favorite DJ’s out there right now. I’d say the perfect scenario for this track would be flying over a city late at night, but a close second would be watching night time snowfall. Definitely a vibe to turn the lights off, open the windows and play this as the blizzard hits. Bonus if you have LED lights in your room. You’re never too old for LED lights.
Japanese Breakfast- Be Sweet: An inescapable track for the last couple of months on college radio, Be Sweet is as catchy as it is uplifting, without being annoying. Equal parts energizing yet soothingly melodic, it provides great background for spending a day snowed in working on a passion project.
Jorja Smith- Addicted : A nice touch of R&B on a freezing cold weekend never hurt anybody. Jorja Smith’s deep yet soothing voice lends itself beautifully to a bluesy song that’ll be stuck in your head in no time. If you like this, check out the entire Be Right Back album, one of the best of 2021.
Koffee- West Indies: Alright maybe you’re really sick of the snow and want to take your mind somewhere warmer- this can help. Jamaican sensation Koffee has been all over the charts, I think all of her stuff is honestly really unique and enjoyable. This is technically reggae, but I think the Afrobeats trend is the next big thing in American culture, calling it now. Maybe I’m wrong-doubt it, though.
Moneybagg Yo- Important:
“I leveled up, I feel important” You’re going to level up this weekend, right bro? Work on that project or whatever it is that means a lot to you? If nothing else, this track will help get the blood moving for you to shovel out two feet of snow.
That does it for this round, friends.
Stay safe out there and talk soon.
(Now go create something cool this weekend 😉)
<3
John
28 January 2022