We lose light in winter, so we need to get something to replace it, right? Now, I’m not so sure. For the past four winters, I have been plagued by various illnesses that have made it difficult to fully appreciate the beauty of this whimsical season. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to stop seeing winter as synonymous with depression, but some days are harder than others. I would like to see it as something to be discovered rather than something to be endured.
I’m not the first to think about the virtues of winter. Countless poets have meditated on the natural world and how winter brings the most important truths to life. Katherine May created a worldwide sensation through her manifesto. wintering.Ms. Jacqueline Suskin 1 year of practiceExplore how this season can enhance one’s creativity. As a writer myself, I recently declared:I love winter, but I respect it even more. And so do I. I respect that paradox, a game where a frigid morning is overshadowed by a fleeting 55-degree afternoon. I admire the way he tugs at the collar of his jacket as if to say “button up” and “slow down a little” at the same time. You don’t have to stop, but why not take a moment to understand where you’re going and why?
Still, this period tends to bring about competition with the world and with ourselves. The comforts that winter demands from us (rest, quiet, etc.) are obtained at the expense of productivity, determination, and visible growth. (The name itself win!) When I asked Suskin about the role of “win” in winter, she reiterated: “Winter is often thought of as a time of loss and deprivation, but it is actually a season of great blessings. When the outside world becomes inhospitable, “the inner world has more opportunity to take up space.Creation. As a human being, this uninterrupted time of reflection that winter brings feels like a victory to me, and one that I long for in the warmer months.When the Earth pauses to recharge and rest, so do I. is.”
Provided by Rachel Schwartzman
Provided by Rachel Schwartzman
Fellow writer and community builder Latonya Yvette ( women of color,hair bookand future stand in my window) also said, “On the grand scale and seasons of life, victory is a very difficult word. But I believe that even ‘getting through’ winter is a victory for those who are going through a very difficult time.” We believe that there is a correlation. ” “I often try to think of winter as almost a victory for the body, according to the human circadian rhythm. the most important We are working towards the upcoming season. Creatively, that’s when my best art happens. As someone who has to be “on” often, the unintentional self-service of seclusion in order to create something new is perhaps the greatest victory, and it requires meeting people, working, and You can feel peace by accepting the world. With new eyes and community after winter has done all its intended work. ”
Similarly, evidence of creative progress in my own life has almost always proven to be most noticeable in the winter. Growth happens close to home and new ideas come from simple joys that bring me clarity and calm. Having fun in the cold, having a warm mid-afternoon shower after a busy morning running errands, wearing monochrome clothes to brighten yourself up as gray clouds darken the sky. A hot cup of decaf coffee with your loved one.
In fact, I went out with my husband to have breakfast with friends on the coldest day of January. We gathered around plates of pancakes, beanies on our ears and knits pulled close to our bodies. Among the acts of constriction, there were also acts of release. With every layer of recognition, the walls came down. Stories were shared and warmth filled the room. Having suffered from debilitating anxiety last winter, I wouldn’t have been able to cope with this situation, and the faintest hints of recurring symptoms – sweaty palms, nervous stomach, heart palpitations – would not have been possible in the morning. But it continued. Most of the time I just smiled and laughed, but a few times I stole a moment of private silence and let someone else lead the conversation until my mind calmed down and I eventually returned to the table. Ta.
Provided by Rachel Schwartzman
Provided by Rachel Schwartzman
However, winter is not a mirror, but perhaps a speck on the window glass that appears after wiping away the frost. A filmy residue may remain on the glass, but our core nature becomes a little more visible in the reflection. Like winter, we are imperfect, complex, inconsistent, not always bearable, beautiful in our own way, and filled with darkness and light. , forever evolving. Winter creates perfect conditions not only for change, but also for choice. And I decided to think differently about how I relate to this season and some of the stories that come with it. Solitude means contemplation and gathering means connection. Often the meaning is more subtle than that. Solitude inspires connection, gathering requires contemplation, and together they create a wintry atmosphere that mixes chaos and humanity.
As Jezz Chung, he is a writer, performer, and change this way, “Everything changes in winter: what we eat, how we take care of ourselves, the conversations we have. I try to see this change as part of both a creative process and a healing process. My hope is that this will be the case.” A season of clarifying and strengthening will prepare me for what is to come. ” Lynn Slater, writer, author how to grow oldHe also says, “Unlike spring and summer, when I tend to grow things outside, winter is a time when I turn inward and nurture new growth within myself. Invented, reimagined and back outside. We’re ready.” Let’s see what will bloom from the seeds sown in the winter greenhouse of my heart. ”
Whether we weather the winter together or apart, it is the ultimate test for many, one where we are not measured on a curve and where indicators of success and fulfillment feel far away. But despite the mounting pressures, crises and despair around the world, I urge you to look at your own situation. Notice the habits you are breaking and the bonds you are building despite the storm. Take a look at the game and decide if it’s worth playing. Look at your foggy reflection on that windowpane.
As we get through this season, what was once thought of as a matter of wins and losses may instead resemble the footsteps of our recent past as we slowly move toward the future we shape. With this, there is no chance of winning in winter. Just living. It’s never easy, but it’s always worth it. And I can’t think of a better way to send you off for the rest of the season. I believe this winter is the beginning of a long-awaited exhale. By lengthening your breath, you can bring out a lighter feeling. So tomorrow morning when I open my eyes, I will open my heart. The day starts with a tired little smile. Then, I have a question. And it ultimately amounts to a step outward, or more recently, a leap of faith.