Embracing the Winter Season: Finding Magic in these Darker Months
Welcome to an exploration of a season that, for many, can feel daunting and seemingly endless: winter.
Much like you, I too have wrestled with the challenges that this cold and often gloomy time of year can present. Today, I want to challenge myself, and maybe you too, to find ways not just to endure but embrace winter, discovering a bit of magic along the way.
Winter isn't my favorite. It can feel relentless and isolating, casting a shadow over everything I do. I recognize its impact on my mental well-being, so I’m currently trying to make peace with it.
My goal this winter is to uncover some of its hidden gems—those small moments of beauty and coziness that might make the season more bearable, perhaps even enjoyable.
The Art of Wintering
My perspective began to shift after reading Katherine May's book, Wintering, which explores winter not merely as a season, but as a state of being. This time invites us to slow down, even when it feels uncomfortable. May's wisdom encourages us to accept winter's potential benefits—a more restful period in our lives.
I've come to see the tension in winter as both a call for productivity and an invitation to rest. The shorter days urge us to pause.
Could slowing down actually be productive? It's a question that might help us better navigate the different pace of this season.
Lessons from Nature
Could nature guide us through winter's challenges? Trees drop their leaves, conserving energy. Hedgehogs hibernate. Seeds rest beneath the earth. Nature embraces its seasons. Can we do the same?
The concept of the "fertile void"—a space where nothing seems to happen on the surface, yet beneath there's preparation and potential—resonates with me, particularly in the winter.
Are we, by slowing down, able to prepare for something needed right now, that might even return us back to ourselves in future months?
Connection: A Winter Essential
In winter, self-care often focuses on going inward. While important, there's also a need for connection. We must remember to lean on each other. Connection combats isolation and its creeping melancholy.
Consider small acts of connection this winter. Reach out—invite a friend for a walk, send a heartfelt message.
Building these threads of connection can lift us, and help us through these cold months.
Acceptance and Curiosity
Winter is an opportunity to disconnect from constant productivity and embrace the season's messy middle—the space between endings and beginnings.
We don't need to have it all figured out. Exploration can keep curiosity alive.
Whether it’s trying new recipes, chasing the light, or asking what sparks your curiosity now, these are paths winter opens for us.
Anchoring Ourselves
I've found anchoring practices helpful to remain present in ways that feel good this winter. A daily 3-2-1 practice—three things I’m grateful for, two things I’m curious about, and one act of kindness for myself or others—brings new awareness to my days.
Consider creating a well-being winter toolkit: perhaps the crackle of a fire, a glow of candles, a cozy weighted blanket, or a beloved seasonal movie.
What small comforts help you anchor in winter?
Seeking Ways to Wintering Well
Wintering well is not about fighting the season but listening—finding rest and connection in its quiet months.
Ask yourself: What would wintering well look like for me? Resting more, reaching out more, or simply acknowledging the good already present in your life?
What strategies have you developed to handle winter?
Until next time, take care, stay warm, and remember that if winter does not become your favorite season, spring is just around the corner.
Coming soon: how to navigate messy family relationships during the holidays—right when we need it the most.
