Wintering 101
Adjust your rhythm. Nurture inner growth. Deepen your relationships.
Wintering — a term initially used in biology to describe how certain animals and birds survive cold seasons — has made the leap to our human experience thanks to Katherine May’s book, Wintering.
In Wintering, May explains how people, like animals, require periods of retreat to withstand and overcome life’s tough seasons. In the same way that nature toggles between cycles of activity and rest, we humans also need moments of withdrawal and recharging. Winter is the ideal time for every creature.
Wintering is about “actively accepting and working with our own dark seasons, whether triggered by burnout, loss, or illness. It’s a useful metaphor when we need to process challenging experiences and restore a sense of balance in our lives, with self-kindness and without rushing.”
Finding the midline between rest and movement is key to appreciating Winter’s charms. How many times has a yoga teacher reminded you to breathe mindfully (rest) in the middle of a sweaty vinyasa practice (movement)? You don’t even have to be a yogi to know, intuitively, that effort and repose should be interleaved.
3 Steps for Improved Wintering
I like neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff’s suggestions for Wintering because they are simple to put into practice and eminently customizable:
Adjust your rhythm. Review your calendar and cut back on non-essential obligations during your wintering period. Be mindful of your energy levels and schedule demanding tasks during your peak hours. Leave buffer space between activities instead of scheduling back-to-back commitments. Allow yourself to sleep an extra hour if your body asks for it.
Nurture inner growth. Start a creative project purely for enjoyment, without pressure to achieve or produce. Set aside 15 minutes daily for reflective writing. Such a simple metacognitive practice can help process emotions and track patterns in your inner life. Choose books that invite contemplation and slow reading.
Deepen your relationships. In social situations, focus on quality over quantity. Really listen and engage rather than multitasking. Cook nice meals for loved ones. Consider hosting intimate gatherings, for example by inviting 2-3 friends for tea or dinner.
Is this the gift guide you’ve been looking for? The one that urges you to look after yourself and by doing so, look after your loved ones with more compassion and understanding? As we said last year, give Presence instead of Presents:
ADJUST, NURTURE, DEEPEN: A PRESCRIPTION FOR WINTERING
Adjust
Learn to recognize situations that cause your intuition to signal you to back away slowly, turn, and run like hell. This is your instinct advising you to say No to that dinner invitation or dance recital. Listen to your gut; it’s your second brain after all.Nurture
What kind of practices make you happy? If it’s art, create something new or go to a museum. If it’s yoga, how about an end-of-year treat from Ashtanga Yoga Paris? This card entitles you to 3 special Christmas classes between December 21st and 29th for just 45€. Buy here.Deepen
Make a date with yourself. Grab your journal, and head to your favorite café for an hour or two of one-on-one time with pen and paper. If you need some gentle encouragement, Elaine Konopka is offering a 90-minute online workshop entitled This Little Light of Mine during which you’ll invoke your inner brightness before the Winter solstice. Sunday December 15th, 11h-12h30. Reserve here.