How to handle the off-season blues. In 10 simple ways.

One of the hardest things about being a seasonaire is the transition from season to season since we live fiveish months at a time with a relaxed plan. It can be really easy to fall into the stress trap before the season has even come to an end; panicking about what you’re going to do next, worrying about how you’re going to earn your money while still having some kind of fun outside, stressing about your house lease coming to an end, and needing to find a new place, perhaps even a location change, some of us even trying our hardest to fit in a family visit. It can all get a bit much towards the end of the season. So why do I keep at this manic lifestyle every year? What do I try to do to stay as cool as a cucumber and as organised as your granny’s sock draw? Here’s how:

1. LIVE FOR TODAY. I can’t stress this one enough. My friends quite often remind me whenever I’m stressed that my current life is awesome and it’s just as important to be in this moment, as it is to plan future ones. If you’re always looking ahead you’ll lose sight of the now and end up lost when the future doesn’t look so bright.

2. NEVER FORGET YOUR PASSIONS.

If you love spending time outside, make sure you find a job outside or have enough day-light free time outside of work to enjoy it during the off-season. Orchard or farm work suited me for a while in the off-season and kept me busy so I didn’t end up as a fat wobbly lump before the season started again. In contrast, I also had friends who focused on their finances in a less exciting job position but made the most of their time off by going surfing, hiking, and biking, chilling by the pool/ beach with a good book. This leads me to my next important point:

3. STAY ACTIVE.

Home workouts, pilates classes, silks & lyra, joining a gym, going to the swimming pool or hitting the beach for a coast to coast swim are all great ways to spend your mornings or evenings to stay feeling fabulous before/after you earn your winter beers slogging away at work.

4. START EARLY.

When it comes to making a plan, start early with the easy things. Open doors for yourself: make sure your visa is sorted ahead of time, put some rent money aside so that you're not stressed finding a place in a rush, or bunking on your mates' sofa last minute. Book your flights and be sure to double-check your baggage allowance! Can’t carry all of your gear? Look into sending it ahead of time.

5. FRIENDS

Have a chat to your friends about their plans, doubling up with a buddy to do some traveling can make or break your off-season.

Winter seasons are great because it’s likely that you’ve spent your free time hanging out with mates from work, but when it comes to the summer everyone has different plans leaving a much smaller group of people you know in town. Get online and join local groups to meet up and join local activities. Grab yourself a hiking buddy whether they be a furry friend or a friendly face. Get chatting to your ski buddies early, you’re likely to find that they have similar summer goals to you!

6. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT.

Nobody wants to be jobless. Work on your CV before the season ends, get a few friends to proofread it for you. Write a list of job vacancies and locations that interest you. Research is key in sparking ideas and finding your happier future. Just because you’re busy 5-6 months of the year doesn’t mean you can’t earn money in the off-season. There are plenty of summer diploma courses, careers that you can start full-time and go part-time for the winter season. Do your research and make your career dreams come true. Fancy your hand at teaching English? Check out my articles to learn more about what it’s really like and how you can start today!

7. STAY IN THE KNOW.

Keep your eyes and ears on the world news, especially if you’re considering changing locations. This one has been especially important for me this year considering the impact of COVID-19 and travel restrictions etc. World events such as COVID affect industries differently, which could affect where you want to work for the off season and also potentially the living cost in the area you plan to live in.

8. POSITIVITY.

Keep yourself motivated and stay positive. Human’s have a natural tendency to hate uncertainty. On the other hand, think about using this time to become a bigger better you, in every way. The ski season can be a super busy time, the off-season is your chance to catch up on all things YOU.

9. FILL YOUR CALENDAR.

Pull out your calendar and check out what’s going on in the local area to schedule in some fun events such as festivals, carnival days, concerts, birthdays and public holidays etc. You can find a lot of this information on your city’s chamber of commerce website.

10. STAY MOBILE.

If you’re anything like me, you may struggle going from exploring the mountain daily to being confined to the four walls of your house. So, if you haven’t already, have a think about how you’re going to get around this summer. Ever thought of buying a van to live in? A 4WD to reach the off the beaten track super sights? Or a little city car to buzz around in. Most ski resorts are home to some great road trips, multi-day hikes and some are on or near to great bus and train links to help facilitate the adventurer in you.

There you have it. 10 Simple ways to help you make the most of your off-season. There is absolutely no need to get stuck doing something you hate just to earn a few bucks! It all comes down to being proactive and doing your research! Stay tuned by hitting that subscribe button for more articles that will help you plan an unforgettable off-season without draining the pennies.

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The Ski Nomad