Many people dread the winter months when it seems the days are shorter, the nights are longer and the gray skies become depressing. That's when it's time to forget winter and think spring.

When this starts to happen, start to make plans for the spring season. Begin thinking about inexpensive ways that you can spruce up your home. Look around and take notice of what needs to be changed in order to brighten your spirits. The winter months are a great time to take up a few of these projects in order to have them completed when spring is here. This gives you time to move your projects to the outdoors when the weather is nice.

January tends to be a long, dreary month. This is a good time to do some painting in the house. Open the windows for some crisp, fresh air and start putting on some new color to the walls. The open windows will also clean out the air in the house. Concentrate on one room at a time by making a list of what needs to done. Try to do that room from ceiling to floor by cleaning, painting, clean closets, clean dresser drawers and any repairs that are necessary. This is a good time to prepare your spring window coverings. Trying sewing some new curtains that will be ready when the flowers start to bloom. By doing one room per week, you may be able to have all rooms in your home or apartment completed by spring. This is a sure way to get over the winter blues fast and easy. It provides exercise and something to look forward to. In keeping busy with this plan of action, winter will be over before you know it.

By February or March, you can add some indoor planting to your schedule. This is a good time to start planting seeds indoors which will later be moved outdoors. Even apartment dwellers can do this by planting window boxes at this time. Not only is this enjoyable and rewarding, it will also bring the color of green into your home, the colors of spring. Once those seedlings sprout, you will know that spring is right around the corner.

The winter season can be a difficult time of year for many people to get through. It is wise to plan ahead for this in order to avoid those down days. Not only will this help to keep your spirits up, but you will get a lot accomplished at the same time.