I wrote a prior blog about the lessons from autumn, and I wondered, what could I learn from winter? What lessons can winter teach us? I realized there are many lessons from winter. So, I decided to explore what lessons from winter I could learn.
Hibernation or Cocooning
The obvious place to start seems to be the idea of hibernating or cocooning. This feels very much in alignment with winter. If you look at animals, plants and trees there is a natural cycle that occurs during the winter. And respecting these natural rhythms can be very helpful. When we think of dormancy during the winter months with different species. This can be a time when everything slows down or even comes to a halt.
It might be a good time to focus on self-care and recharging. An opportunity to slow down and provide care to ourselves. It can be a time of rest for the mind, spirit and body. But the first lessons might be for the body. Embracing this time when everything slows down and taking more time for rest and sleep. It can be something many people sacrifice but can be an important place to start. Put a priority on sleep and taking time for rest.
“Winter is nature’s sleep.”~H.S. Jacobs
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Stillness/Recharging
This leads into the next lesson of winter. Recognizing the quiet and stillness of the season. This maybe a time for introspection. A time to slow down and recharge the mind and spirit. There are many practices that can help recharge our spirit such as meditation, spending time in nature, journaling, prayer, getting in touch with your creativity or just taking time for self-reflections.
We can also step away from technology and reduce some mental strain and incorporate activities that can stimulate the brain in a positive way. Instead of getting lost in our devices, maybe choosing a different type of activities that embrace and reinforce being more mindful.
We live in a fast-paced world and taking a lesson from winter to slow down and listen to the silence is a valuable lesson. Calm the brain down and shift our focus away from the hustle thoughts of life. By connecting to the rhythms of the season, we can engage in activities that feed our mind and spirit.
Photo by ladybug bauer on Unsplash
Beauty
There is a lot of beauty in the winter. It is more subtle, and it teaches us to look more deeply to find that beauty. Other seasons have so much more obvious beauty. It does not take as much effort to find beauty around us as it can in the winter months. But in life we sometimes need to look deeper to find beauty and meaning. Taking the time to really appreciate the small stuff and we can start to notice that we can find beauty all around us. Even in places we did not think beauty may have existed. This can bring us closer to gratitude and a place of appreciation.
“How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year!”~Thomas Wentworth Higginson
Resilience
There is a lesson of resilience in the winter. Despite the harshness there is strength and adaptability. We can acknowledge these traits in ourselves. Our ability to find our way through even the harshest of winter or times. Taking time to honor all those things that have helped us survive. We can take time to reflect and recognize all the different versions of ourself. We can love and honor all these different versions (our past, present and future self). Who we were, who we are and who we are yet to become. And just how much strength and adaptability it has taken to get here and where we still have yet to go.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Preparation for Renewal
Even if we are in a moment that growth has halted, recognizing all the work we do now is preparation for growth to come. We are planting seeds that will grow. There is growth to come. In this time of slowing down and caring for ourselves, it is helping build a solid foundation.
Winter is a natural part of the cycle of life. What we do now will create growth and healing to come. Preparation is very important stage. We can nurture ourselves with healthy habits and choices to prepare us for the work ahead or what might come.
“It seems like everything sleeps in winter, but it’s really a time of renewal and reflection.”~Elizabeth Camden
Photo by Riccardo Di Curti on Unsplash
Final Thoughts
The days are short, and the nights are long. It can be a time to get more sleep if that is what our body requires. But we also need to recharge the mind and spirit as well. This is really a natural time to make a shift. It is a good time to get more sleep. To slow down and focus on projects and hobbies. A time to recharge and renew. In this time, we can set our priorities and start practicing what is important.
I don’t believe much in new year’s resolutions, but I do think it is helpful to set intentions. To make sure those intentions are in alignment with our values. But during this time, I will practice slowing down, recharging and resetting. We can get stuck in the productivity of doing. And instead of always focus on doing, I will just be. Embrace the importance of being over doing. Being present and in moment. Taking it all in.
“Winter is the time of sacred balance and rejuvenation of life in preparation for the coming spring. It represents abundance, teaching and gratitude.”~Noelle Vignola
Featured Photo by Ladyfern Photos on Unsplash
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Prior blog, “Lessons from Autumn”, https://illuminationcounselingservice.com/2024/09/07/lessons-in-autumn/
