The Christmas lights are still up, cranberries are finding their way into everything I bake, and I have not started a new rigorous workout program. In fact, I’m trying to do less this year, not more. Of course, I have a few grand goals and ideas, but my biggest one is to simplify our lives and detangle from the things that are dragging us down. The more winters I see, the more I realize that January is a time for slowing down, not speeding up.
After the full days of December, celebrating the new year, and getting sick from not taking very good care of myself, it’s time for wintering. Now, there are no festive parties or trips to look forward to and the days are dark and cold, but I don’t dread them because I’m determined to take things slow this winter. In past years I’ve added lots of new projects to my plate, but this time I’m just focusing on finishing up old ones. Giving myself permission to solve a puzzle by the fire and go to bed early has already been transformative.
What is Wintering?
Wintering is a practice of seasonal living where we embrace the slow, dark, cold days instead of rejecting them. Rather than living like it’s summer (going out, being social, eating lots of salads), wintering allows the current season to guide our lifestyle. In the winter, the season inspires us to make cozy fires, go to bed early, and stay home more often. Wintering is the art of listening to this call and embracing a season of hibernation.
While the word “wintering” is trending now, this is a natural and ancestral practice for humans. It wasn’t until recently that people enjoyed luxuries like central heating, grocery stores, and cars with heated seats. Before these modern conveniences, people didn’t do as much in the winter. Of course, there has always been work and chores, but when the roads are snowy, you’re less likely to take your carriage into town. When the wood-burning stove is all you have to heat the cottage, you’ll be inside tending it, leaving you with time to cook, clean, or create for the home.
Thankfully, we do have modern conveniences, so no one has to travel by horse in the snow anymore. Wintering is no longer a necessity, but an intentional choice to slow down and embrace this season. So if you’re feeling tired and burnt out from the end of last year, winter is the perfect time to refresh your mind, body, and spirit.
Benefits of wintering
I’m sure at this point I don’t need to convince anyone of the benefits of slowing down and allowing the body and mind to rest and recover. All of us live busy lives and have things we have to do. Most people aren’t able to cancel all their plans and truly hibernate for 3 months straight, and that’s okay! If you can even slow down a little bit this winter, it will make a huge difference in your year. From wintering, I have seen a reduction in my stress and anxiety, and an increase in my joy, sleep quality, creativity, and mood stability. Who knows, maybe your body has been begging for you to slow down for a long time!
A few of my favorite practices of Wintering
Nesting
One of my favorite ways to winter is embracing my instinct to nest. Making my home cozy and warm creates a respite for the dark evenings we spend here alone and with others. I am also ruthlessly decluttering. And I’m not talking about getting rid of the things I already know I don’t need. I’m also getting rid of anything we don’t use on a regular basis, any unnecessary duplicates, and items that are just taking up space. Letting go of what is extra and distilling my life to the essentials makes our time at home more peaceful and relaxing.
Nesting ideas for winter
- Making beeswax candles
- Keeping warm blankets in every room
- Restocking the tea cupboard
- Arranging warm lighting from lamps, lanterns, and twinkle lights
- Bringing in radiators to warm drafty rooms
- Decorating with nature: branches, dried flowers, firewood, etc.
- Taking the time to clean parts of your home that are usually neglected
Exercise
Winter is not the ideal time to start a new intense workout routine or train for a marathon because…it’s winter! It’s funny because we’re all coming out with these New Year’s resolutions to exercise but no one is very motivated when the sun is gone and the days are cold. If you’re already on a consistent workout schedule, I would keep at it and then mix things up in the spring. If you want to start working out for the first time (ever or in a while), start slow and gentle. Maybe this means you go to the gym a few times a week and do candlelight yoga on the other nights. Maybe you join a hot pilates class. Or if you’re really lucky, you can sauna after an intense workout! Above all, be kind and gentle to yourself. Winter is a time of rest and healing for the body so you don’t want to push yourself so hard that you can’t emerge refreshed in the spring.
Diet
Another flaw with the New Year’s system is that everyone is talking about eating light salads and smoothies in January, but what the body really wants is what is growing naturally in season or made from larder staples. Root vegetables, sturdy winter greens, soups and broths, fermented foods, and whatever herbs can survive your winter weather are ideal this time of year. Eating seasonally is an amazing way to practice wintering because these warming foods put our bodies into a rest and recovery state. Think roasted, stewed, braised, and warming recipes.
Our winter diet staples
- Bone broth
- Crockpot/instant pot soup
- Balsamic roasted root vegetables
- Pot roast with lots of herbs and red wine
- Mashed potatoes
- Caramelized onions in everything
- Egg drop soup
- Oven-roasted pork tenderloin
- Harissa roasted chickpeas
- Sourdough of all kinds!
- Curries and stews
- Lots of garlic and ginger
- Massaged kale salad
- Collagen Marshmallows
Evenings
Making the most of the long dark evenings is essential for wintering. Say no to evening activities (if you can) and yes to reading by the fire. Your body also might feel sleepier in the winter and that’s okay. I’ve been getting to bed early so far this month and it has been absolutely incredible for my hormones, mood, and productivity!
A few ways I like to spend my winter evenings
- Crocheting and knitting while listening to an audiobook
- Drinking bone broth hot chocolate by the fire
- Starting the evening with an early sunset walk
- Perusing old cookbooks and writing down recipes that inspire me
- Scheduling a phone call with a long-distance friend
- Solving a puzzle with my husband
- Taking a relaxing bath
- Hosting a friend for tea
- Baking cookies
- Writing letters (pen pals or Christmas Thank you notes!)
- Saying or listening to evening prayers
- Getting into bed nice and early to read
Nature
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”
Alfred Wainwright
Spending time outside is still an option during the winter, but it will require some intentional clothing choices. Don’t expect to be warm in leggings and a jacket, you will need full body layers to enjoy being outside on a cold day. Because the sun sets so early this time of year, we like to take a chilly sunset walk to kick off the evening well. Winter is also a lovely time for nature walks in the woods. I love to see the skeletons of the trees, bushes with red berries, and ice lining the edges of creeks, lakes, and rivers. Getting outside during this season is very healing and can prevent you from catching the winter blues.
Resources for wintering well
- “Do you have too much stuff?” a podcast episode to inspire you to declutter ruthlessly.
- Sarah Therese Co. creates lots of inspiring videos about minimalism throughout busy and often overwhelming seasons of life.
- The Art of Wintering-from another aesthetic slow-living youtube channel called Little House on the Mountain.
- Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times– A book I return to year after year to remember how to winter well.
- Six Seasons: A New Way with Vegetables-If you’re looking for some inspiration for using winter seasonal produce, look no further. This cookbook boasts classics and new recipes alike to breath life into the winter kitchen.
- Homemade Wild Birdseed blend-make this to set out for some winter birdwatching
- The little book of Hygge – One of my favorites to inspire coziness and appreciation for this season
- My Wintering Playlist: I will be adding to this as we go through winter so stay tuned!
Leave a Reply