Welcome, fellow Illinois member! Central Illinois here. While not constantly Arctic, we have all the winter woes: cold, damp, precipitation, clouds, wind. To me, the wind and gloom are the worst, and even inside isn’t always pleasant because the outside scenery is deflating. The effects of gloom are worse as I age, perhaps. I do feel better when I talk myself into outside activities. The last week has been a challenge because we had ice, topped with snow and then heavy frost. Branches are still falling and not much has melted yet.
We keep our house cool. Quilts are useful decor. Warm clothing layers of jeans, wool socks, tee shirts, button shirts, pullovers, and for outside, down puffer, scarves, hats and mittens, boots, are my closet staples.