On Embracing Winter

even in the hard years

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” ― Albert Camus

Now, to be clear, I really enjoy winter. However, it’s fair to say that many people, even those who choose to live in places where we experience deep winter (such as Minnesota, where I am) struggle with the dark and cold of the season. We’re on the cusp of winter right now—solstice is a few weeks away, and it’s been another year of challenges and hardship for so many people and communities all over the world. Of course, winter comes around every year in many parts of the world, but when I think back to say, 2020 (a year when being comfortable outside has helped many people feel connected to others while also feeling safe from illness), winter felt more ominous. When days get shorter and temperatures drop, humans naturally do more gathering indoors: to stave off the chill— as well as the loneliness, isolation, and for some, seasonal depression—that tends to come with less daylight.  In a year when loneliness, isolation, and varying degrees of depression were already part of many people’s stories, losing comfortable outdoor spaces in which to gather felt like a low blow.  As we move toward the end of 2023, there is perhaps less anxiety around gathering indoors, but there is plenty of darkness that feels pretty persistent. And when that happens, the lighter energy that often comes with summer can feel very far away.

Poem included in Just Wild Enough, available now for preorder.

But there are things we can do, even in the hardest of winters, to navigate through to the spring that waits on the other side.  (Whether they are literal cold weather periods or what author Katherine May calls, "fallow periods in life when you're cut off from the world, feeling rejected, sidelined, blocked from progress, or cast into the role of an outsider.")

Part of the way through is both simple and challenging:  Embrace winter.  (What?) Yes!  It is empowering to embrace a cold or fallow season. Which is not to say that you have to enjoy every second—rather; it's an invitation to look for the tiny, intentional practices that will buoy your spirit just enough to keep your inner invincible summer close. Maybe you’ll even gain a new appreciation for leaning into contrast, or pick up a new cold weather practice, like winter woods wandering (one of my favorites).

A few years ago, my co-author of 12 Tiny Things (Ellie Roscher) and I did some crowdsourcing via social media, and as it turns out, there are a lot of ideas out there when it comes to surviving, or even thriving, while “wintering”. 

Without further ado, here are some tiny things that we, along with a wide array of others do to embrace winter. 

• Leg warmers, outdoor running, tea, adult sledding with warm cocktails.

• At least five minutes of natural light in the morning and vitamin D supplementation. Write real ‘pen to paper’ letters to include in holidays cards. 

• Fires (outside or in), nordic skiing, appreciating contrast, baking bread, savoring soup, reading uplifting literature, snowshoeing, twinkle lights in unexpected places, folk music in the background.

• Candle splurges, fleece lined leggings, Sorel boots, matching sweatpants, unshaved legs.

• Lengthening hug duration twofold.

• Christmas music and movies through January (does NOT apply to retail stores).

• Adequate outerwear: gater, snow pants, good winter coat, waterproof gloves, cozy hat.

• Crock Pots. Long underwear. Hot baths. Weekend movie marathons.

• Slippers, fuzzy blankets, tanks/dresses that have built in bras, snow hikes, coffee while watching the sun rise.

• Saunas, walks, trying new recipes, a stash of bath bombs, a stack of books, lighting candles as the sun sets, night walks through the neighborhood, Smartwool base layers, lowering expectations of everyone including yourself.

• Dog snuggles, cat snuggles, fermented foods, chocolate chip cookies, knitting big comfy sweaters.

• Outdoor hockey rinks, specialty hot cocoa and hot toddy’s, cooking Indian cuisine, turning up the space heater for livestream yoga.

• Decorating the undecorated spots, setting up a home gym, peloton. 

• Blueberry Cobbler for breakfast. Good coffee in the morning. Base layers. Fresh air. Righteous playlists.

• Walks. Whiskey. Dogs. Books. Irreverence.

• Watching the snow fall, and accepting its presence.  Stargazing. Paying attention to the crunch of snow underfoot and the way your hand holds a hot mug of tea.

What would you add to the list? 

What would it take to recognize winter, embrace it, and let it lead you toward something you perhaps didn’t even know was possible?

As we write in the conclusion of 12 Tiny Things, “Imperfect practice is the way forward.” 

May you find an abundance of small ways to embrace whatever sort of winter you’re facing in the months to come. 

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**If wintering seems like too much to navigate, you feel stuck in a dark place, or are supporting someone who is struggling, please reach out for support. 

Help is available: 

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988

Local services locator: http://211.org/

National Alliance of Mental Illness