Wintering

"Wintering" is a beautiful, quiet concept, It’s something I initially found difficult to write about the pressure to "write well" can drown out the very stillness the topic encourages.

The idea of Wintering was by author Katherine May. It’s the idea that we shouldn't just "survive" the cold months, but actively use them as a "fallow" period—just like a farmer lets a field rest so it can be fertile again in the spring.

The Radical Act of Wintering: Why It’s Time to Lean Into the Dark

For many of us, the arrival of winter feels like a battle. We fight the darkness with extra caffeine, we battle the cold with packed schedules, and we feel a strange guilt for wanting to retreat. We’ve been conditioned to believe that productivity must be linear—an endless summer of "doing." But nature tells a different story.

In the natural world, winter isn’t a death; it’s a crucible. It is a time of "theirow" growth—where trees pull ihre energy inward and animals vanish into sleep. This is the essence of Wintering.

What is "Wintering"?

The term, beautifully explored by author Katherine May, describes those periods in life when we are cut off from the world—whether by the actual season, a bout of illness, or a time of grief. Wintering is the deliberate act of accepting the "cold" and using it as a time for deep repair.

Why Science Says We Need the "Fallow"

Research in psychology suggests that our brains, much like the earth, require periods of inactivity to thrive.

• The Power of the Fallow: Just as a field left fallow recovers its nutrients, a mind allowed to "go quiet" processes deep-seated emotions and sparks future creativity.

• The 7 Types of Rest: Winter is the perfect time to practice what researchers call "Sensory Rest" (turning off the lights and notifications) and "Emotional Rest" (allowing yourself to be authentic rather than "on").

• Circadian Realignment: Embracing the lower light levels helps regulate our melatonin, actually improving our long-term sleep quality if we stop fighting the early sunset.

Lessons from the North

While we often see the dark as a foe, many cultures have built their entire happiness around it:

• Hygge (Denmark): More than just candles and blankets, it is the practice of finding sanctuary and "cozy togetherness."

• Friluftsliv (Norway): The "open-air life" philosophy, which encourages being in nature without the need to "conquer" it.

• Coorie (Scotland): A sensheart-centredg in" and finding heart-centered comfort in the rugged landscape.

How to Practice Wintering This Month

You don’t need to change your whole life to "winter." It starts with small, radical acts of permission:

1. Lower the Bar: Acknowledge that your energy levels should be lower right now. It is biological, not a character flaw.

2. Seek the "Blue Hour": Instead of hiding from the dark, try taking a 10-minute walk at dusk. Watch the stars come out.

3. Doing "Unfashionable" Things: Katherine May suggests things like reading long books, slow-cooking soup, or simply sitting by a fire. These aren't "wasted time"—they are acts of survival.

A Time for Healing

Wintering teaches us that life is cyclical, not linear. You cannot bloom all year round. By retreating now, you aren't falling behind; you are quietly preparing for the version of yourself that will emerge in the spring.

This season, give yourself permission to be still. The world will wait.