Do the short days and long nights of winter fill you with a sense of dread? For many in the UK, the season represents a bleak, interminable stretch to be endured rather than enjoyed. But what if we could change our perspective entirely?
The Art of 'Wintering': A Radical Acceptance
Author and writer Katherine May offers a compelling alternative in a recent podcast conversation with Annie Kelly. She advocates for a concept she calls 'wintering' – the conscious act of embracing the season for what it is, rather than fighting its natural rhythm. May argues that by constantly wishing away this quarter of the year, we are effectively rejecting a fundamental part of life's cycle.
She positions winter not as a foe, but as a crucial period for rest and recovery. It is a time to slow down, reflect, and conserve energy, much like the natural world does. This philosophical shift, from resistance to acceptance, forms the bedrock of learning to love the darkest months.
Practical Tips to See You Through to Spring
Beyond the philosophy, Katherine May provides actionable advice for navigating winter with more grace and less gloom. Her suggestions are refreshingly counter-cultural, focusing on comfort and gentleness over austerity.
Keep your Christmas lights up. Why banish the twinkling lights in January? May encourages maintaining sources of cosy, gentle light to combat the pervasive darkness. It's a simple act that defies convention and brings ongoing cheer.
She also makes a passionate plea to abandon punishing New Year's resolutions. Winter, she contends, is not the time for harsh self-denial or rigorous new regimes. Instead, it is a season for self-care and kindness.
Winter's Unexpected Joys and September Babies
May's perspective even extends to reframing our view of winter's intimacy. With a touch of humour, she points out the seasonal evidence for its unique pleasures: Why else are there so many September babies? She highlights midnight sex as one of the season's underrated joys, a natural and cosy way to connect during the long nights.
This holistic view – which encompasses mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing – challenges the monolithic idea of winter as purely a hardship. By integrating rest, recovery, and simple sensory pleasures, Katherine May's approach provides a blueprint for not just surviving, but truly appreciating the colder, darker part of the year.
Her conversation is a timely reminder that by aligning ourselves with the seasons rather than battling them, we can find depth, meaning, and even joy in times we typically label as bleak.
