Our thoughts on ‘wintering’… cultivating a beautiful, restful state of mind and body
Many people find the winter months challenging. It’s easy to be propelled into a mindset where winter becomes something to be endured. By shifting the emphasis of winter away from focussing on negative associations, it becomes possible to find a joy and wonderment at this time of year where we can reconnect with ourselves and what’s important to us.
A simple way of viewing this is by looking at how nature behaves during the winter. Do the animals, birds and plants try to maintain the same pace and energy throughout winter as the do during the rest of the year? If we look out at the winter garden, the plants have become dormant and are waiting for their moment to regrow. The birds are nesting and sustaining themselves with the basic things they need. Mammals are keeping themselves warm and fed, some hibernating until spring.
We too can embrace the philosophy that with winter comes an opportunity to rest in a purposeful way, to reconnect with ourselves and become aware of slowing our minds and living in the present moment. We can allow ourselves time to seek out moments of joy in activities and small details which have an affinity to winter.
Being outdoors in the winter months is particularly important to our wellbeing, wearing warm, natural fibre garments such as wool jumpers which are both cosy and comforting. Imagine life in Nordic countries where in some cases there is no daylight from November to January, where skiing and hiking are enjoyed regardless of the cold and dark and where the virtues of creating a warming, snug and homely atmosphere indoors is the counterpoint to this.
Winter is the perfect time to be creative and find time to develop themes of self-care, resilience and adaptability. This can take any form that you may be drawn to and you find restorative. Journaling, cooking, decluttering, making an arrangement of winter branches, developing a self-care routine, reading or listening to music are just a few examples of mindful practices.
As winter slowly passes and we can see the approach of spring, it is also a useful opportunity to look forward to the coming year, to make arrangements to meet up with friends and family, to make simple lists of things you’ve wanted to give more time to, to nourish yourself with seasonal food and get out into the beauty of the winter landscape while it lasts and breath in the fresh air.
The natural world understands the purpose winter serves and adapts to the conditions and opportunities it brings. If we do the same, then ‘wintering’ can be something nourishing for us, helping to move us forward into spring with gratitude.
Leave a comment