T.C.L.C - Mastering the Art of Wintering: Embracing the Season of Reflection and Rejuvenation

Winter often carries a reputation for cold, darkness, and lack of life. Yet, beneath the surface, it offers a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and prepare for #growth. Learning to embrace #winter as a season of #rejuvenation can transform how we approach challenges and change. This post explores how to master the art of wintering by understanding its rhythms, nurturing yourself, and finding meaning in quiet moments.

Embracing the Winter Rhythms

#Wintering is more than enduring cold weather; it is a natural phase in life marked by rest and restoration. Just as trees shed leaves and animals slow down, humans also benefit from periods of reduced activity and inward focus. We see this clearly here on the farm and natures pace is something we've been trying to incorporate in our daily lives especially throughout winter for a few years now. Our biological rhythms slow during winter, sleep and rest patterns should where possible be allowed to alter naturally as the daylight hours shift, encouraging rest. Our mental and emotional cycles often mirror this, inviting reflection. Recognising wintering as a process and more importantly wellness practice helps reduce any resistance to downtime... but it will take practice. By accepting wintering as a necessary phase, you can avoid burnout and build resilience. This mindset shift allows you to see winter not as a setback but as a vital part of growth. Again, the countryside around us recognises this and has thrived for millions of years, maybe we should start taking our lessons from the outside world. We can sometimes be tricked into thinking that this mindset is slightly new age or airy fairy, but in reality it is the core of what makes us well... us. It's getting back to basics, leaning on the older ways of life making sure we give ourselves space away from the speed of modern life, a pace that's maybe not meant for everyone...

Creating Space for Reflection without Expectation

Reflection is the heart of wintering. It offers a chance to review the past year, understand lessons learned, and set intentions for the future. However, this can sometimes come with a feeling of pressure and failure if those intentions do not materialise. Instead of intense goal setting maybe look at setting aside a small part of your day to journaling, meditation or, our personal favourite, a chance to reconnect with nature. Fill a bird feeder and spend a few moments watching any visitors, walk the dog head phone free, or take some time to feel the breeze and winter light on your face (or in our case the winter sleet and rain... equally as beautiful... there's something incredibly comforting in the stillness and silence of the world under a blanket of rain or snow). Reflecting on what has past by asking yourself meaningful questions like 'what bought me joy?' or 'What challenges did I feel I could not over come, yet did?'... Again, not new age or out there, but more to strengthen self awareness, supporting our goals in the spring and reminding us that we can rely on ourselves. If farming teaches you anything, it's that you need to be able to rely on yourself and take the small moments of reflective downtime when you can, the art of #wintering is no different.

Nurturing Your Body & Mind

Wintering calls for gentle care of your physical and mental health. The cold season can strain energy levels, so adapting your habits is essential. Nature teaches this everyday... trees conserve energy by dropping leaves, grass and flower growth slows, our sheep spend their days basking in any winter sun. Of course, there are pros to consistency throughout the year but that doesn't mean we shouldn't adapt when the seasons call for it. Eat nourishing, warming foods such as stews, soups and in season veg, change up the exercise routines, find time for hobbies and find pleasure in this considered change. These practices support your body’s natural need to conserve energy during the winter while keeping your mind calm and focused. There are studies which show our cortisol (the stress hormone) spikes during the winter, with reduced daylight hours and lack of energy causing stress and feelings of dissatisfaction, therefore embracing #wintering, how we view the season as a whole and reminding our minds and bodies, there's life without pressure outside of the workplace.

Finding Comfort in Simplicity

This is something else that nature is guiding us to do! Everything around the farm simplifies in winter, the hedgerows thin out, the colours mute slightly, animals focus in on sustenance and energy conservation, the list goes on. Simplifying your environment and schedule can enhance the wintering experience. Reducing clutter and commitments creates space for rest, rejuvenation and creativity. Create cosy corners with blankets and soft, warm lighting or even candles. Simplicity allows you to savour small pleasures and reconnect with yourself without distraction or that feeling I'm sure we all know too well... our brains running with multiple tabs open! By finding this comfort in simplifying things you're actually preparing thoughtfully for the next seasonal change, you create a sort of invisible momentum that carries you forward into spring without force or pressure.

Cultivating Connection

While wintering often involves solitude, human #connection remains important, in our opinion it's important all year round (hence the launch of our Considered Living Collective Postal Subscription - sign up here or below) but it can sometimes feel like we've lost elements of this in the winter months. Balanced connection helps prevent loneliness and enriches your wintering journey. Check in with friends or family just because, no reason or motive, just connection. Writing letters is a beautiful thing to do but especially warming in winter. The anticipation when you see something arrive, the permission to have a warm brew, sit and read the letter, taking time and considering your reply... dreamy!

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Wintering is a practice, something you have to engage in and embrace but flipping 'eck, it's worth it. It's easy for us to see the lessons from nature, surrounded by it here on the farm, but hopefully, wherever you are, you feel encouraged to explore your own version of #wintering and the mental and physical health benefits it can bring having read this blog post!

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