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Wintering: Embracing Rest, Reflection, and Renewal

ateasevalphillips

The concept of "wintering" stands in stark contrast to our hectic day to day lives. Wintering is not just about enduring the cold, dark months; it’s about intentionally slowing down, retreating from the usual hustle, and embracing rest and reflection. The practice invites us to acknowledge the cycles of life, much like nature does, and recognise the importance of periods of dormancy for growth and renewal. In the same way that a flower grows its roots in winter, ready to bloom in spring, we can rest and grow in different ways during the year. 


What is Wintering?

Wintering, in its most literal sense, refers to the way nature slows down in the winter months. Trees shed their leaves, animals hibernate, and the earth itself seems to rest, gathering energy for the vibrant explosion of life that comes with spring. In her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May uses the term to describe how we can embrace this natural rhythm of slowing down too. It’s about giving ourselves permission to withdraw and take care of ourselves when life becomes overwhelming, instead of pushing through relentlessly.


The Benefits of Wintering

  1. Emotional Renewal Wintering offers a space for emotional healing. Life can be filled with high expectations, stress, and unforeseen challenges. By embracing a period of wintering, we allow ourselves time to process difficult emotions. It’s a time to rest, grieve, or simply step back from constant demands. This emotional pause helps us find clarity and renewal.

  2. Enhanced Creativity Creativity often thrives in the quiet, reflective spaces that wintering provides. Like a tree gathering energy underground, we can use this time to dream, imagine, and plan without the pressure to act immediately. Creativity needs room to breathe and grow.

  3. Improved Mental Health Wintering encourages mindfulness and self-care, both of which are essential for mental well-being. The practice of slowing down, turning inward, and embracing stillness can help restore a sense of peace and balance, allowing us to better manage feelings of anxiety, depression, or burnout.

  4. Physical Rest and Recovery Just as animals hibernate to conserve energy, we too can benefit from periods of physical rest. Constant activity without adequate breaks can lead to burnout, fatigue, and illness. Wintering allows us to listen to our bodies, to rest, and recover. It’s an opportunity to let go of the desire for productivity and prioritise making room for self-care.

  5. Strengthened Resilience One of the most powerful benefits of wintering is the resilience it builds. Just as plants emerge stronger after a winter freeze, we, too, grow more resilient by acknowledging and tending to our inner seasons of hardship. Wintering teaches us that it’s okay to pause, and that these moments are not signs of weakness but of growth.

  6. Connection to Nature’s Cycles Wintering encourages us to connect more deeply with the rhythms of nature. By noticing how the world around us slows down in winter, we can mirror this process in our own lives. This connection to nature can foster a sense of peace and lead to being grounded, as we are reminded that periods of rest and retreat are natural and necessary for all living beings.


How to Embrace Wintering

While wintering may sound simple, it requires intentionality in a world that often values constant activity. Here are a few ways to embrace wintering:


  • Create Space for Rest: Allow yourself to sleep more, take naps, or simply do nothing. It’s okay to prioritise rest over productivity in this season.

  • Engage in Reflective Practices: Journaling, meditating, crafting and sitting quietly can help you process emotions and gain clarity.

  • Spend Time in Nature: Take walks, observe the changes in the natural world, and let this rhythm influence your own.

  • Set Boundaries: Recognise when you need to step back from unnecessary social obligations or work pressures, and give yourself permission to do so without guilt.

  • Embrace Silence: Reducing the amount of noise from screens, conversations, or to-do lists can provide a calming mental space.


Wintering is the powerful practice of stepping back, resting, and renewing oneself. Just as nature uses winter to recharge for the spring ahead, we too can benefit from allowing ourselves periods of dormancy. Embracing wintering leads to greater emotional resilience, creativity, and overall well-being, helping us emerge stronger, clearer, and more aligned with the cycles of life. So, as winter approaches, consider embracing a season of wintering and let the power of rest and reflection bring you back to life.

@Ease Creative Integrative Therapies with Val Phillips 2024

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