Wintering: Embracing the Quiet Season of the Soul
Wintering: Embracing the Quiet Season of the Soul
As the days grow shorter and the temperatures plummet, nature itself seems to withdraw. Trees shed their leaves, animals burrow deep into the earth, and the world adopts a hushed stillness. Winter, for all its starkness, invites us to do the same. But what does it mean to “winter”? Beyond the literal season, wintering can also signify the colder, quieter seasons of our lives—periods of introspection, retreat, and renewal.
What Is Wintering?
Wintering is a concept beautifully explored in Katherine May’s book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. It’s about recognising life’s inevitable cycles of hardship and rest, embracing them instead of resisting them. Just as nature needs winter to regenerate, we too require moments of stillness and surrender to process, heal, and grow.
Far from being a time of failure or stagnation, wintering is a period to recalibrate. It’s a time to honour your emotions, let go of relentless productivity, and prepare for the seasons of spring and renewal that inevitably follow.
Why We Resist Wintering
In a culture obsessed with hustle and perpetual growth, the idea of slowing down can feel almost subversive. We’re taught to push through pain, mask vulnerability, and chase success at all costs. Wintering, on the other hand, requires us to sit with discomfort, admit when we’re struggling, and give ourselves permission to pause.
Yet, resisting the need to winter can lead to burnout, disconnection, and even deeper suffering. Just as skipping a season in nature would disrupt the ecosystem, skipping our own wintering can leave us unprepared for what’s next.
How to Embrace Your Winter
1. Allow Yourself to Pause
Sometimes the most courageous act is to step back. Whether you’re grieving, recovering, or simply overwhelmed, give yourself the gift of rest. Let go of the pressure to “fix” everything immediately. Wintering is not a race to be won but a process to be honoured.
2. Seek Comfort in Simplicity
During winter, nature pares down to its essentials. Take a cue from this and focus on small joys: warm blankets, quiet evenings, nourishing meals. These simple comforts can provide a sense of grounding when life feels uncertain.
3. Reflect Without Judgment
Use this time to look inward. Journal, meditate, or simply sit with your thoughts. Wintering is a time to process emotions and experiences without the expectation of immediate clarity or solutions.
4. Reconnect with the Natural World
Winter, for all its harshness, has a beauty that invites contemplation. Walk in the cold, notice the patterns of frost, or watch the quiet fall of snow. Nature reminds us that dormancy is a natural and necessary part of life.
5. Trust the Cycle
Just as winter inevitably gives way to spring, your own wintering will pass. Trust that this season has a purpose, even if it’s not immediately clear. Growth often happens in the unseen, quiet moments.
The Gift of Wintering
Wintering is not just a season to endure; it’s an invitation to slow down, reflect, and prepare for renewal. In allowing ourselves to winter, we honour the rhythms of life and give ourselves the grace to be human.
So, as winter envelops the world in its chilly embrace, consider what it might mean to winter in your own life. Instead of dreading the cold, let it be a reminder that sometimes, the most profound growth comes in moments of stillness. Embrace your winter, and trust in the promise of spring.