Wintering
As I write this, we are getting our first significant snow in Omaha for this winter. While it is a pretty snow with big fluffy flakes, it is a bitterly cold 11 degrees with a wind chill of -2 degrees. I used to love the snow when I was little. Building forts, making snow angels, and jumping in deep drifts was so fun but now I am just tired of the cold. Being cold is the worst thing in the world to me. I am ok with snow up until the holidays but come January, I am ready for spring cleaning, fresh air, and the start of a new year full of potential. There is something though about Groundhog Day on February 2 when I hear “6 more weeks of winter” that just crushes me, and I lose my momentum. The first day of Spring is just 36 days until Spring is finally here. I can do this….
I recognize that even in warmer states, nature sleeps during this season so that it can bloom and come back to life in the spring. Spring is our reward for the rest. I have always been a spring and summer person-I love the sunshine, the heat, everything green and blooming. In the past, I focused on work to keep me distracted but this season, wintering feels different. I feel like I am rundown and not inspired. I traditionally set lofty goals for myself in December for the new year to hit the ground running but that is not working for me now. I know I will bounce back when spring arrives, but I need to bridge the gap between now and spring. Instead of focusing on the downside of winter, I want to use this time to give myself a better foundation so that when spring comes, I have built some good habits and gained some skills to not only be ready to embrace the outdoors but to build momentum to reach my goals.
I read the book, Wintering-The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May for some inspiration. The author does not just focus on wintering as a season but also suggests that wintering can represent down times when we feel cut off from the world or are dealing with life events, losses, illnesses, failures. Both can be lonely times. No one can be in summer mode all the time. We are not always going to be happy. She even suggests happiness is a skill we learn. Life ebbs and flows just as the seasons do. How do we work through these times?
Interestingly, this book begins in the month of September in preparation for winter. We know winter is coming or that life’s lows can hit at any time so instead of trying to run from them, the author writes about preparing ourselves for facing the season head on. She shares insights from friends who live in Norway and Iceland-how they prepare as early as August for winter and how they embrace the season with polar plunges which they find invigorating and mind clearing, enjoying the northern lights and a lot of community and family time.
The themes that resonated with me throughout this book that I think can help through the next few weeks along with some of my personal goals are:
I am hoping by changing my perspective and approach to reacting to winter can help me embrace the season from a different angle, but I will be the first to welcome Spring when it finally arrives!
I recognize that even in warmer states, nature sleeps during this season so that it can bloom and come back to life in the spring. Spring is our reward for the rest. I have always been a spring and summer person-I love the sunshine, the heat, everything green and blooming. In the past, I focused on work to keep me distracted but this season, wintering feels different. I feel like I am rundown and not inspired. I traditionally set lofty goals for myself in December for the new year to hit the ground running but that is not working for me now. I know I will bounce back when spring arrives, but I need to bridge the gap between now and spring. Instead of focusing on the downside of winter, I want to use this time to give myself a better foundation so that when spring comes, I have built some good habits and gained some skills to not only be ready to embrace the outdoors but to build momentum to reach my goals.
I read the book, Wintering-The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May for some inspiration. The author does not just focus on wintering as a season but also suggests that wintering can represent down times when we feel cut off from the world or are dealing with life events, losses, illnesses, failures. Both can be lonely times. No one can be in summer mode all the time. We are not always going to be happy. She even suggests happiness is a skill we learn. Life ebbs and flows just as the seasons do. How do we work through these times?
Interestingly, this book begins in the month of September in preparation for winter. We know winter is coming or that life’s lows can hit at any time so instead of trying to run from them, the author writes about preparing ourselves for facing the season head on. She shares insights from friends who live in Norway and Iceland-how they prepare as early as August for winter and how they embrace the season with polar plunges which they find invigorating and mind clearing, enjoying the northern lights and a lot of community and family time.
The themes that resonated with me throughout this book that I think can help through the next few weeks along with some of my personal goals are:
- Know that you are not alone. So many people struggle with wintering. Share your experience; what worked for you and where you found inspiration so we can learn from each other.
- Establish routines especially with sleeping and exercising and be intentional for how you spend your time.
- Get back to basics: eating and tracking healthy meals, staying hydrated, prioritizing exercise and rest.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol that can disrupt rest and circadian rhythms.
- Surround yourself with comfy things: candles, flowers, soups, warm sweaters, music, teas. Engage your senses.
- Movement every day-exercise, walking, yoga, strength training, dancing. I have built a Spotify playlist attached of some of my favorite songs that are great pick me ups.
- Read or re-read favorite books especially books that help you learn something new.
- Embrace and protect sleep time but if you experience insomnia, get out of bed and do something with that time-read, journal, reflect, pray, meditate.
- Do things you love to do and follow your curiosity. It can be too easy to stay isolated and confined in our homes. Explore a museum, take a class, try a new restaurant.
- Make a vision board of goals you aspire too and visualize how you will feel when you reach those goals especially on the days you need more motivation.
- Get creative with painting and photography projects.
I am hoping by changing my perspective and approach to reacting to winter can help me embrace the season from a different angle, but I will be the first to welcome Spring when it finally arrives!