Deaf Joy: 10 Everyday Habits That Brought Me Peace This Winter
Winter can be rough. The cold, the short days, the loneliness that creeps in when you least expect it. As a Deaf woman, I’ve learned to build habits that actively create joy—especially when the world feels quiet and gray.
I don’t do hustle culture. I don’t believe in “fixing” ourselves every January. But I do believe in showing up for ourselves with small, loving actions—tiny rituals that restore peace, connection, and Deaf pride.
This winter, I focused on 10 simple habits that didn’t cost anything but brought me real joy. These aren’t trends—they’re tools. And they’re yours, too.
Deaf Joy: 10 Everyday Habits That Brought Me Peace This Winter
💌 Want My Free Winter Habit Toolkit?
Get the printable Deaf Joy Habit Tracker + ASL Self-Care Graphics I use to stay grounded all season.
👉 [Grab your free toolkit here] (email opt-in link) 👈
Includes:
✔️ 30-day customizable tracker
✔️ 10 calming ASL signs for self-care
✔️ Habit stack planner for consistency
1. Silent Mornings
I stopped waking up to my phone. Instead, I gave myself 10–15 minutes of quiet—no alerts, no scrolling, just stillness. For Deaf folks, our mornings are already silent in the best way. I leaned into that. I brewed tea slowly, watched the snow fall, and breathed.
Why it helped:
I started the day on my terms, not reacting to the world. This made my whole day calmer.
👉 Try This: Use a light alarm clock instead of your phone. Keep your phone out of reach until you’re ready.
2. Stretch + Sign
Every morning I stretched for 5–10 minutes and paired it with fingerspelling or basic ASL affirmations like “I am strong” or “Today is enough.” It kept my body loose and my mind focused.
Why it helped:
Movement plus language helped me reconnect with myself—and kept my ASL fluid even during lazy days.
🖐🏽 Want 10 calming ASL affirmations?
They’re included in the Winter Toolkit—[click here to get it free](email opt-in link).
3. “No Voice” Days
On purpose, I took full voice-off days—even with hearing friends and family. I used text, ASL, or written notes only.
Why it helped:
It re-centered my Deaf identity and reminded me that I don’t owe anyone code-switching. It also gave my voice a literal rest.
👉 Tip for allies: Don’t assume voice = access. Embrace non-verbal days to build empathy and fluency.
4. Visual Journaling
I kept a mini sketchbook near my bed and drew one thing per night: a facial expression, a handshape, a tree, a mood. No words needed.
Why it helped:
It let me express myself visually, without translating my feelings into English. That kind of raw expression? It’s powerful.
✏️ Try this format:
| Day | Image | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 4 | 🌲 | Calm |
| Jan 12 | 🤟🏽 | Hopeful |
5. Community Check-Ins
Once a week, I sent a video message to a Deaf friend. Just a short “thinking of you” in ASL. No pressure to reply. Just connection.
Why it helped:
It reminded me I’m not alone—even when winter feels isolating. And giving joy is just as healing as receiving it.
🫶🏽 Pro tip: Pre-record a few generic ASL check-ins to send out when your energy is low. Your people will appreciate the thought.
6. Slow Sips
I made tea or cocoa every night and used that time to sit with myself—no screens, no background noise. Just sipping slowly.
Why it helped:
That one small ritual trained my nervous system to pause. It became the most peaceful part of my day.
☕ Favorite blends this winter:
- Rooibos + cinnamon
- Peppermint + licorice root
- Caffeine-free chai
7. Lighting Rituals
With sunset coming at 4:30pm, I brought in intentional light: fairy lights, candles, Himalayan salt lamps.
Why it helped:
As a visual person, lighting deeply affects my mood. Warm lighting = warm energy.
💡 Accessibility tip: Use tap-on puck lights or motion sensors in common areas to avoid harsh overhead lights.
8. ASL Media Nights
Instead of Netflix with captions, I switched to content made in ASL: vlogs, poetry, and short films. Deaf creators, Deaf perspectives.
Why it helped:
It boosted my language immersion and let me experience stories without barrier fatigue.
📺 Favorites this winter:
- Sign 1 News
- Deafies in Drag
- TikTok/Instagram creators like @thatdeafguyofficial and @deafinitelydope
9. One Good Walk
I made myself go on a short walk every day—just 15 minutes. No goals, no counting steps. Just moving.
Why it helped:
The rhythm of walking helped me mentally reset. When everything felt heavy, it gave me momentum again.
🚶🏽♀️ Tip: Pair it with an ASL podcast or sign a few affirmations as you go.
10. Boundaries with Love
I got honest about what I could handle. I said “not right now” to plans that drained me. I paused group chats when I needed to. I chose rest over explanation.
Why it helped:
Boundaries are a love language—especially in winter, when our energy runs low.
✨ Self-check question: Does this decision bring peace to my future self?
How These Habits Support the Deaf Community
These aren’t just feel-good routines. They’re quiet acts of Deaf empowerment.
- They protect our energy. Navigating an inaccessible world takes a toll. These habits replenish that emotional labor.
- They affirm our language. Using ASL for joy—not just survival—keeps our culture thriving.
- They build resilience. Deaf joy isn’t just about being happy. It’s about owning our experience without apology.
When we prioritize Deaf-centered habits, we model a new kind of wellness—one that doesn’t erase us but celebrates us.
🛠️ Mid-Winter Reset? Start With the Toolkit
Need help staying consistent?
Grab the free Deaf Joy Toolkit—it’s what I use every January.
📥 [Click here to download your copy](email opt-in link)
What’s inside:
- 30-Day Habit Tracker (pre-filled and blank versions)
- ASL Self-Care Graphics (10 calming signs to practice)
- Habit Stacking Guide (how to pair habits so they stick)
No pressure. Just peace.
How to Avoid Overwhelm and Build Long-Term Habits
Here’s what I learned this winter: consistency doesn’t come from discipline—it comes from kindness.
Here are the small things that helped me actually stick with my habits:
✳️ 1. Start with ONE habit
Pick the one that feels easiest or most fun. Do that for a week. Then layer another.
✳️ 2. Keep it visible
I printed my tracker and hung it by my bed. Out of sight = out of mind. Visibility = accountability.
✳️ 3. Let go of perfection
Missed a day? Who cares. It’s not failure—it’s feedback. Adjust and keep going.
✳️ 4. Track how it felt, not just if you did it
Example:
| Day | Habit | Mood Before | Mood After |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 5 | ASL Stretch | Tired | Clear-headed |
After You Grab the Toolkit… Here’s What Happens:
Once you sign up, here’s what you’ll get:
- Instant download of your free Winter Toolkit
- A welcome email from me (Donna 💛) with a few bonus tips
- Weekly emails every Sunday: Deaf lifestyle advice, self-care ideas, and Deaf-owned brand highlights
- First dibs on future freebies + workshops
Unsubscribe anytime. But I think you’ll love it here.
📌 Save or Share This Post:
If this helped you, share it with your Deaf friends or post it to your Instagram stories! Use #DeafJoyHabits and tag @TheLifeOfDonna so I can celebrate with you.
Winter doesn’t have to mean burnout or isolation. These 10 habits brought me peace not because they were perfect—but because they were mine.
And now they’re yours, too.
Stay warm, stay kind, and stay rooted in Deaf joy.
💛
—Donna
Donna
The Life of Donna is a Deaf Lifestyle blog that contains life, beauty, travel, food, and personal growth. Donna writes honest personal stories about relationships and life as a Deaf person and featuring Deaf World.
