Have We Forgotten How to Winter?
Wintering is the quiet art of retreat, a season of deliberate slowing that mirrors the natural world. Yet in many ways, we have forgotten how to winter. Modern life flattens the seasons: artificial light, constant connectivity, and relentless productivity leave little space for rest. Where winter once demanded pause and reflection, it is now treated as something to endure or override.
In nature, growth slows with purpose. Trees stand bare, animals conserve energy, and life turns inward; not as failure, but as preparation. Humans, too, are shaped by these rhythms. Fatigue deepens, motivation shifts, and the need for stillness grows. When we ignore this, we disconnect from our bodies and exhaust our resilience.
Wintering asks us to rest without guilt, reflect without urgency, and reconnect with ourselves and others. Dormancy is not an ending, but a vital phase of renewal—ensuring that when the light returns, we are ready to grow again.
To winter well, reduce stimulation and honour darkness. Rest more, simplify commitments, and allow quieter days. Spend time indoors with books, shared meals, and conversation. Reflect, journal, and sleep deeply. Move gently, nourish yourself, and accept stillness. Wintering is an active choice to care for energy, not a withdrawal from life.
