On Wintering Well
It is half past nine at night as I sit by the fire with a sleeping baby on my chest—rocked and nursed, yet refusing to go back to sleep on his own. The fire crackles, the wind chimes sound, and the rhythmic snores of my dog curled beside us create a simple sense of calm. This about sums up our winter so far: slow, unhurried, sometimes boring and mundane, but peaceful and still.
Of course, there are daily tasks and deadlines that make me feel rushed in some capacity, but I never got around to making New Year’s resolutions or finding the drive to start over and transform the old me into a “new” me, with a list of how to become a better version of myself. Maybe I’ll feel that sense of urgency in a few months, when the joy of seeing new life spring up.
For now, I’m happy sitting by the fire, with evenings spent in, and nights beginning early. And so, with this, a desire to winter well.
When I think of “wintering,” I think of tending inward. This looks like eating warm, nourishing soups and stews, freshly baked bread, and sipping herbal teas; tending to the home; not pushing myself to complete as many tasks as I think will make me feel exceedingly productive; and spending less time on my phone, which has proven time and time again to be a thief of joy and contentment.
Wintering, for me, comes from the Scandinavian concept of hygge—a term that describes creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying it with those you love. Simple, and I’d say a cure for the winter blues. Finding the intention to winter well is something I’ve found inspiring during these midwinter days: after the awe and excitement of the early holiday season fades and before the anticipation of spring arrives. If you also need a reminder to spend some intentional time wintering well, here are a few tips below.
Tips for wintering well:
Movement: Get outside everyday! Go on a walk or at the very least, tilt your head up to the sky towards the sun and get some sun on your face. In addition to some sunlight and going on walks, take the time to do light movement or even better, add some free weights in! Having free weights at home has made working out whenever I get the chance to, a breeze (somewhat). I find yoga and pilates to be so enjoyable especially on days when I just feel so tired and worn and am lacking motivation. I live on free YouTube yoga flows/ workout routines to follow!
Nourishment: Stop skimping on meals. It is so easy to find ourselves so busy and distracted that we don’t take the time to nourish our bodies as well as we should. We should aim to eat meals with a combination of protein, healthy fats, fiber and some complex carbs. If I’m not nourishing myself, I lack the energy and capacity to nourish those who need me most (my baby!) Another way to nourish our bodies is with herbal teas! I love drinking mineral rich teas like raspberry leaf, nettle, and red clover. At night, I’ll add calming chamomile and oat straw. Bulk herbs can be found from any local herb farmer or Mountain Rose Herbs or Starwest Botanicals!
Low lighting/ No overhead lights: Once the sun goes down, I find myself turning off the overhead lights and switching on all the lamps and lighting some candles for a relaxing glow that help me wind down for the evening. If you need some non-toxic, lightly scented candles you can always find some here!
Clearing the clutter: As we spend more time indoors, I want to create an inviting space that is peaceful, and a clean and tidy home helps me feel that way. My favorite thing to do when I clean the house is putting on upbeat Celtic or Lord of the Rings/ Hobbit soundtracks and clean as if I’m cleaning a small cottage in the shire (Don’t knock it til you try it! LOL). Here’s my playlist for cleaning the home
Self-Care: However you define self-care, do it! Take the time to watch your favorite movies or tv shows or read a good book cozied up on the couch. A favorite few things that can be added to this category are taking time to do my skincare routine: After washing my face I spritz with a hydrosol like this one I made fresh from tulsi grown in the garden, distilled in my copper still, and then using the Sun Dweller Serum that is soothing and contains anti-inflammatory herbs for my skin and even adding a little of the Skin Salvation Balm that is rich and fantastic for dry and problem skin conditions. Lastly, drawing a relaxing bath for myself with tea infusions like chamomile, lavender, and rose added right in along with magnesium bath flakes that really help wind me down for the night.
Again, it’s winter, so hunker down and rest when you can. Create a peaceful and beautiful environment at home and let us dream of the bounty that Spring and Summer bring to our tables. Spring is coming soon :)
-C
This post contains affiliate links
