“Nature shows that survival is a practice. Sometimes it flourishes—lays on fat, garlands itself in leaves, makes abundant honey—and sometimes it pares back to the very basics of existence in order to keep living. It doesn’t do this once, resentfully, assuming that one day it will get things right & everything will smooth out. It winters in cycles, again & again, forever & ever. It attends to this work each & every day. For plants & animals, winter is part of the job. The same is true for humans.”
Hibernation is fascinating
Wintering is a new concept to me, yet its existence is something I’ve been yearning for since I was a young child. With fresh eyes to the world I was fascinated by the concept of hibernation, almost jealous of the animals and life that follows such a pattern. I wanted to be that bear cuddle up for warmth, letting the bitter winter winds bluster away unnoticed. I wanted to be that tree who dropped all its leaves and went ‘Not today!’ It was such a stark contrast to the human life I was living, always pressing the go button, hardly time for rest.
All along it was wintering I was craving. One of the most natural processes, when the earth is almost begging us to slow things down. Our bodies respond to this call by encouraging us to slow down too, and yet we power through telling ourselves it’s all going to get better soon. I think that is why we make note that we’re turning the lights on later because we are looking for the small glimmer of hope that winter will be over soon. Winter is gloomy, Spring is joy.
Ignoring wintering isn’t new
“I’m sure last winter (it was a very severe one, if you recollect, and when it did not snow, it rained and blew), not a creature but the butcher and postman came to the house, from November till February; and I really got quite melancholy with sitting night after night alone…In spring and summer one got on better: sunshine and long days make such a difference” Mrs Fairfax, Jane Eyre Chapter 11
Okay, this may be from a fiction character however through Mrs Fairfax, Charlotte Bronte is showing that even in the 1800s people were still powering through winter the best they could, striving for Spring to begin. I’m sure it’s a feeling that’s been going on for even longer than that. Being productive is so deeply engrained into all of us it is hard to break a cycle and easy to see winter as a threat to it.
Let’s change the script
Society won’t slow down for us, neither will our jobs, therefore it’s up to us to slow ourselves down when we can. In a previous post I provided five top tips for wintering, however I’d like to focus on just one of them in this one. No prizes for guessing that creativity is the top tip I’d like to focus on.
It is what this blog is about after all.
Creativity helps us to focus into our emotions, feelings, and headspace. It allows us to express what is going on when other methods fail us. It also makes us slow down and connect to the present. I believe there is so much joy to be found in winter, however we strive so much for the next season we miss the blessings of the present.
Wintering Challenge Chart
I’ve put together a Wintering Challenge Chart. It is filled with creative activities that encourage us to slow down, take notice of the joy around us and connect in with ourselves. Pare back to the very basics of you so when you are called upon to be productive, to flourish you’ve stored up enough to get through.
I’m keeping it simple, there would be no point creating this challenge if it then became a burden! Use the chart and the steps below if you’d like to join in with this challenge.
Step One: Be the gathering Squirrel
As winter approaches many animals gather up what they need to survive the colder months. Once you’ve decided you want to do this challenge read the chart, plan what you’d like to do and begin gathering your materials. I wouldn’t advise gathering as you go along otherwise you’ll be racing around throughout this whole time period and that’s sort of against the point. Don’t worry if you don’t manage to collect all of it, however see it as filling up your pantry, occasionally you might need a top up but the important thing is most of it is there.
The other thing you’ll need to do is work out how long you want to do this for. Are you doing it until the clocks go forward? Are you doing it until Spring? Or are you doing it until the evenings are much, much lighter? Make that decision at this stage.
Step Two: Prune
During colder temperatures many plants become dormant making it the best time to prune them so they can flourish in the spring. What do you need to prune to give yourself time for this challenge? If you try and fit it into an already packed schedule it’s going to feel like a squeeze, so for this season only take a look at what you need to pull back on to provide yourself with quality wintering time.
Step Three: Hibernate
Let’s begin our hibernation. Set aside at least 30 minutes once a week to complete this challenge, the more the better, however it is important this doesn’t feel like a burden. This is your time to switch off, shut out the world and focus very much on the present.
Let me know if you’re thinking of completing this challenge and if you have done it I’d love to hear how you got on and what some of your wintering lessons have been.
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