Embracing Winter & Staying Sane in the Cold
Cold. Dark. Gray. Dreary. Bleak.
Cozy. Rest. Magical. Serene. Crisp.
Which group of words do you gravitate towards when you think about winter? If you’re anything like me, it’s the first set. I get cold easily. I LOVE the sun. I crave being outdoors. Winter feels like the antithesis of what feeds my soul. And yet, without the cold dark days of winter I probably wouldn’t appreciate the warm sunny days of summer as much. Winter invites me to slow down, to rest, and to embrace coziness.
Rest is productive.
Capitalism expects us to be equally productive year round. Yet, if we look to the natural world, we see that the opposite is needed for our wellbeing. Both trees and many animals hibernate in the winter. And we are animals after all.
So what if we approach rest, especially during the winter, as an act of resistance against societal pressures? What if we prioritize slowing down during the winter? Embracing the coziness? Piling on the soft blankets, cuddling with those we love, allowing ourselves to pause? Finding ways to hibernate in our modern lives?
What I’m Doing in the New Year to Embrace Winter + Hibernate
Hot Beverages
Coffee, tea, etc. The process of making a hot beverage forces me to slow down. Sipping on a hot drink warms up my core. And holding a warm beverage just makes me feel like I’m embodying the word cozy.
Set the Scene: Cozy Lighting, Relaxing Scents, Background Music
There’s nothing like lighting to change the mood of a room. Think warm, low lighting. Lamps instead of overhead lights. Perhaps a salt lamp or candle (ideally nontoxic!). Or light a fire if you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace!
I often forget how much smell can change the feel of my environment until I remember to turn on my essential oil diffuser or light a candle. Scent can truly elevate a “mundane” moment.
Relaxing background jazz, classical, lo-fi, etc. add to a cozy atmosphere.
Reading
While my sun-loving self is partial to reading by the pool in the summer, it’s hard to get much cozier than covering yourself in blankets, a hot cup of coffee/tea by your side, and a good book to get lost in.
Slow-Paced Hobbies
Knitting, painting, pottery, baking, music, etc.
Something that takes time to create. Doing it for the enjoyment of the process rather than to be perfect or to check off a box.
Bundle Up for Walks
While it’s often hard for me to motivate myself to get out of the house in the winter, every time I bundle up with layers and venture into the cold I’m glad I did.
The cold crisp air feels invigorating. I notice the plants and animals around me in their winter state. I feel proud of myself for venturing into the cold. And plus my house feels even cozier and warmer when I arrive home.
Less and More Intentional Screen Time
I’ve noticed that unintentional screen time changes my perception of time.
For example, purposely sitting down to watch a movie with family/friends feels a lot different than mindlessly scrolling on social media. When I scroll, time flies by at warped speed whereas when I get lost in a movie it doesn’t feel like time went by at a weirdly fast pace. And the movie feels less detrimental to my attention span long-term.
In the new year I’m deleting apps that tempt me to scroll, giving me time to pursue slow hobbies, to read, and to truly rest.
Time with Friends/Family
Hibernating doesn’t mean being alone or shutting out the outside world. Being in community, especially during the cold and dark winter, is crucial for our wellbeing.
Board games, movies, puzzles, walks, library outings, crafting, parallel reading, etc.
Last year my friends and I had a “cozy cabin weekend” at an airbnb where we spent the weekend playing games, enjoying a hot tub, bundling up for snowy walks, discussing books, and engaging in great conversations with each other. It was so fun we plan to do it again this year.
