How you can you love and loathe winter in equal measure …

"... the joy of all life
is its ability to respond
to changing weather 
and mood

wintering is a safe space 
for those who cannot 
predict or know 
how to feel ..."

How’s everyone doing now Christmas is out of the way? A new year’s upon us and, for many, it’s back to work.  Not only that, the UK has been experiencing a particularly cold spell.  Even the milk on my doorstep was frozen one morning.   I imagine the weather is proving challenging for many: children may have to stay home because schools are closed, and the commute to work could be more difficult than usual. Just what you don’t need. 

There are people who love winter and those who dread it.  People who celebrate the coming of snow, and others who hate it.  Some folk will happily grab their winter coat and get out there, whilst others just want to huddle under a blanket, drink hot chocolate, and wait for spring.  But that all sounds a bit too black and white and, as we all know, that’s rarely the whole story.  Our feelings and attitudes to most things, winter included, are complex, often contradictory and interchangeable.  At least mine are, and I don’t think I’m alone in that. 

I’ve been trying to get out every day for a short walk and I’ve noticed how massively different the landscape appears, depending on the light.  On some days, the landscape seems impenetrable.  It feels closed to me; the familiar smells are buried; sounds are muffled and distant.  Yet other days, when the sun is out, the ground begins to soften and the landscape comes alive.  Walking down my lane on a cold but sunny afternoon, I am filled with hope.  The sun on my face feels like a random act of kindness.  Of course, acts of kindness can make all the difference to people, especially when they may be going through a hard time and are feeling low. 

I can definitely see parallels in how the land responds to sunlight and how our moods can change depending on circumstance.  It prompted this week’s poem, which is about the feelings we may encounter at this time of year.  I mentioned Katherine May in a recent blog, and have been re-reading her fantastic book, Wintering. Wintering is not limited to a particular time of year, but more reflects an inner season we may be experiencing, which can happen at any time.  But I suppose that outside influences, such as the weather, can prompt an inner wintering experience, which might feel like a double whammy, if you’re not a fan of winter in any case.   

It was, of course, the winter solstice just before Christmas. We’ve already made it through the longest night and now the light is returning; I promise!  I get that when you’re both going to work and coming home in the dark, it’s hard to believe that the days are lengthening.  It may not feel like it right now, but have faith!  

Despite the cold, frozen and seemingly lifeless landscape, things are happening.  I learnt the other day that not animals who choose to hibernate through winter, remain asleep throughout.  Many waken for brief periods, subject to changes in temperature and weather conditions.  Whilst only a small number of mammals in the UK truly hibernate (such as hedgehogs), many others enter states of torpor.  Entering torpor allows mammals to survive throughout the winter, shutting down all but essential organs during the particularly cold spells, but remaining active for the majority of the time.  Squirrels do this – who knew?  

On reflection, perhaps we are not all that different to many other warm-blooded mammals.  We are amazingly flexible and can adapt to changing circumstances, often unconsciously.  Isn’t that incredible?  Just as life continues below the frozen surface, and on the seemingly naked tree branches, life continues within us even when we think we’re standing still. I, for one, think that’s remarkable. 

My wish for you today, is to spend some time paying attention to what’s going on outside, it can serve as an act of kindness and may gift you something you didn’t realise you needed.  Why not try it!