Wintering: Your Essential Guide to a Cozy Season

In the midst of winter’s chill, there’s a magical call to embrace the art of “wintering.” Picture fuzzy socks, the crackle of fireplaces, and the aroma of hot cocoa – an invitation to slow down and find comfort in the little things. As we navigate this season, our focus turns to essential tips for creating a cozy and peaceful atmosphere at home. Welcome to the comforting embrace of winter, where even the small detail matter in cultivating a warm and comforting space to lean into– and dare I say, embrace– the winter season.

As the holiday bustle ends and the world outside sheds its leaves and turns colder, let’s dive into the magical concept of ‘wintering.’ You know, those seasons in life when things slow down, and it feels like nature or life in genreal is whispering, “take a breather.”

Most animals change habits in winter, either by hibernating, nesting, preparing, or going south. Turns out, humans should probably do the same instead of powering through like the entire world isn’t constantly changing.

We’re unraveling the secrets of wintering – from finding joy in the stillness to navigating the frosty patches of life with resilience and grace. So, grab your favorite blanket, settle in, and let’s explore how these chilly moments can be the hidden gems of personal growth and inspiration.

Wintering isn’t just a season; it’s a state of mind, and we’re about to discover the warmth within the cold. Ready to embrace the beauty of your own wintering?

What is ‘wintering’?

Wintering is the art of embracing the quieter, slower seasons of our lives, akin to the hibernation that nature undergoes during the cold months. It’s that cozy space where life takes a breather, urging us to reflect, recharge, and find beauty in the stillness.

Wintering invites us to appreciate the quiet moments, to delve into self-care, and to navigate challenges with resiliency. It’s not just about enduring the cold; it’s about discovering the warmth within ourselves and using the dormant periods to grow, adapt, and bloom when the sun returns.

Wintering is a gentle reminder that even in the coldest times, there’s a hidden beauty and an opportunity for personal transformation waiting to unfold.

Katherine May, author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, defines it as “a fallow period in life when you’re cut off from the world, feeling rejected, sidelined, blocked from progress, or cast into the role of an outsider.”

Or, more plainly, wintering is a period of retreat, reflection, and self-care during challenging or difficult times in one’s life. You may need to ‘winter’ during a tough time, which may be in any physical season of life.

I picture it as hibernating and finding restoration in taking care of yourself, knowing you’ll emerge on the other side more restored and refreshed.

Quotes about ‘Wintering’

Still not convinced? We’ve rounded up a few on-target quotes from Katherine May that get to the heart of wintering.

“We have seasons when we flourish and seasons when the leaves fall from us, revealing our bare bones. Given time, they grow again.”
― Katherine May

“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.”
― Katherine May

“That’s the gift of winter: it’s irresistible. Change will happen in its wake, whether we like it or not. We can come out of it wearing a different coat.”
― Katherine May

“Winter is when I reorganise my bookshelves and read all the books I acquired in the previous year and failed to actually read. It is also the time when I reread beloved novels, for the pleasure of reacquainting myself with old friends. In summer, I want big, splashy ideas and trashy page-turners, devoured while lounging in a garden chair or perching on one of the breakwaters on the beach. In winter, I want concepts to chew over in a pool of lamplight—slow, spiritual reading, a reinforcement of the soul. Winter is a time for libraries, the muffled quiet of bookstacks and the scent of old pages and dust. In winter, I can spend hours in silent pursuit of a half-understood concept or a detail of history. There is nowhere else to be, after all.”
― Katherine May

“When I started feeling the drag of winter, I began to treat myself like a favoured child: with kindness and love. I assumed my needs were reasonable and that my feelings were signals of something important. I kept myself well fed and made sure I was getting enough sleep. I took myself for walks in the fresh air and spent time doing things that soothed me. I asked myself: What is this winter all about? I asked myself: What change is coming?”
― Katherine May

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Cozy Essentials: Your Wintering Survival Kit

Of course, there’s a few must-haves that make winter more enjoyable. A beautifully scented candle, journal, comfy pajamas… here’s some of our favorites!