Wintering Well
If you have been in the office with me through winter, I am sure you have heard me say “winter well.” Listen, I am a summer girl through and through. I prefer the warmth of the beach to the chill of winter. However, a few years ago, a friend introduced me to “Wintering” by Katherine May. This book, along with encouragement from friends, inspired me to embrace winter as a time for inner growth.
For so long, I struggled to rest, feeling uncomfortable with a slower pace and less busy schedule. I often tied my worth to productivity and accomplishment. Could I find comfort in stillness? Could I nourish my soul during the dark, cold months?
I sure didn’t want to sit in darkness and be still. But when I invited darkness, coldness, slowness to the table, it unlocked something that needed my awareness, parts of me that needed to be seen. Wintering well, exposed something that I feared and was neglecting. The crazy thing was the parts that were exposed had always been there asking to be seen and held with love. And those winter parts were just as much a part of me as were the summer parts that I so loved. Both had depth and intensity just in different ways but both just as important.
This is what I am inviting you to do. Your journey may differ from mine, but it might also reveal something within you that longs to be acknowledged. This might seem scary but what if it brings you back to parts of yourself that have always needed to be loved? The darkness, stillness and slowness… do they need to be seen?
Will you sit and listen to your darkness, stillness and slowness within?
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Listen Winter can often feel like a long, gray stretch of time, but it offers such a unique opportunity for warmth, reflection, and rejuvenation if we embrace it fully. Here a just a few suggestions on how to invite wintering into your life
1.Create a Cozy Sanctuary: Transform your home into a retreat with soft blankets, warm lighting, and scented candles. Stock up on quality hot chocolate or herbal teas. This creates a space for you to unwind and be present.
2. Embrace the Outdoors: Resist the urge to hibernate. Bundle up and take brisk walks to appreciate the beauty of frosted trees and gentle snowfall. Morning walks, even in darkness, can be invigorating, especially with the promise of sunrise.
3. Nurture Your Body: Combat winter fatigue by focusing on nutrition. Incorporate seasonal foods like root vegetables and citrus fruits, and remember to stay hydrated. Regular movement—be it yoga, stretching, or dancing—can elevate your energy levels. If possible, try hot yoga or enjoy a sauna at your local gym.
4. Cultivate Mindfulness: Winter provides a perfect backdrop for reflection. Consider journaling to document your thoughts and feelings. Practices like meditation or simply sitting in silence can foster gratitude and openness to explore emotions that need attention.
5. Connect with Others: Even after the holidays, winter is a wonderful time for connection. Host cozy gatherings—game nights, movie marathons, or simple dinners—to share warmth and laughter.
6. Be Intentional About Your Feelings: As winter progresses, take time to think about what feelings you want to feel and how you can feel those feelings on a daily basis throughout the year. Writing these down not only helps clarify your thoughts but also sets a positive tone as spring approaches.
7. Engage in Creative Projects: Winter can be a wonderful time to dive into hobbies or creative projects you’ve been putting off. I love to paint during January. It gives me time to relax after a long day at work. Whether it’s knitting, painting, or writing, letting your imagination flow can lift your spirits and allow for you to invite whatever is within you to be seen.
8. Prioritize Self-Care: Don’t forget to nurture yourself. Indulge in a warm bath, read a good book, or take a day to relax. The slowness of the winter invites us to truly listen to what our body and mind needs and gives us an opportunity to meets those needs.
As winter envelops us, let’s not just survive it but thrive. By creating warmth, nurturing connections, and allowing for growth within ourselves, we can transform these cold months into a season of wellness and renewal. A true chance for us to make peace with some parts of ourselves that we try to avoid. By bringing awareness to them, giving them love and nourishing them, we can feel more integrated and healthier.
What are your favorite winter rituals? How do you plan to embrace this season?
