01/08/2025
Wintering Well
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is time for home.”
- Edith Sitwell
“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.”
– Paul Theroux
“If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life but still the same amount of snow.”
~Anonymous
Why do we dread the winter and wish away the days? Why does this season seem to impact us as a whole? While there is merit to the fact that we may be lacking in Vitamin D and that the cold can be bitter, perhaps our constant need to push for productivity and be busy has something to do with it.
We cannot run from the seasons (that is, if you choose to live in a place with all four seasons), but we can learn to shift our perspective and get the most out of each. Spring naturally brings feelings of a fresh start and new life, summer is filled with activity and blooms, fall with crisp mornings and bright colors, but something about winter makes us uncomfortable.
What if winter is meant for rest? What if this season is a gift to do less and enjoy more?
Is it possible that we struggle most with winter because we do our best to avoid the cold and the slower pace, instead of embracing it? What would embracing that look like?
Here are some possible options:
Instead of waiting for summer activities, bundle up and find outdoor winter activities such as cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, or simply taking a stroll outside.
Embrace the earlier evenings and create warmth and comfort through cozy activities like reading a book by the fire, working on a puzzle with your family, taking a warm bath, or making a meal together.
Take opportunities to note the beauty in this season instead of being rushed to find the next.
Use this time to reflect on the past year and prepare for the year ahead: What do you want more of? What do you want to leave behind?
We can’t always change our physical location or situation, but there is most often beauty to be found (or created) right where we are.
Happy Wintering!