Ways to Embrace the Winter Months

The winter months did not use to come easy to me. When I was younger, I often escaped the cold for warmer climates. In my adulthood, I knew I needed to shift my perspective and daily habits during these months. To be honest, I used to feel like the months felt very long and I really missed getting out in nature and the ease of connection from the warmer months. I still feel like the days can feel extended by March time but there is so much more I enjoy now. I knew I had to make my own winter wellness check list.

What is it exactly that I needed more of in the winter both in my art practice and personal life?

I encourage you to reflect on this question as well. I have created a list of ways to connect to winter and a quick art lesson below in hopes that it will help you connect to this colder season. Through this art lesson we will talk about the shifts in seasons, connect to a winter palette, sketch out some tree lines and create some mini watercolor scenes.

Even though I was connecting more to my creativity and making growth a priority, I still felt like I was missing the outdoors and the connections in my life. So I focused my attention on a few shifts to bring more of this into the winter months.

Shift of Perspective

First, I had to have a shift my perspective. This season looked different than the last because it was. Embracing this really helped me shift the way I thought of winter. I like to approach it with new ideas, activities and a different level of energy.

Seek Out Connection

In the water months, it felt easy to have people over outdoors or run into friends. I realized I had to make more of an effort in the winter months to connect. This took a little bit more planning on my part initially. I now plan dinners or outings with friends, look for local community events or classes to join, or book a trip or something to look forward to mid-winter.

Follow the “No Bad Weather” Concept

This was a big one for me. I love getting outdoors so feeling like it was too cold to do things prevented me from doing the things I loved. Then I decided I had to layer up. There were a few initial purchases to the wardrobe but it made all the difference. May I suggest fleece lined anything and down jackets as a starting point! Once I embraced this concept, I made getting outdoors a priority. Join in any activity that sounds fun to you, skiing, alpine touring, nordic skiing, hiking, walking, sledding, you name it!

Prioritize Creativity & Growth

Retreating and creating came easy to me during the colder months. I loved having more space for my art and time to create. The colder months allowed me to be inside more without feeling like I was missing out on as much outside the studio. So I utilize this time to create more, focus on new techniques I want to learn, and work on ways I can grow personally as well as in my art and business. Maybe you are the opposite? If so, maybe you spend these months collecting inspiration for the time you can create most.

Think Seasonal

There is something refreshing about the seasons when it comes to cooking. It almost puts a refresh button on your meal planning. I love to mix up our recipes for each season based on what is in season. There are some amazing blogs I follow that have great seasonal meals and ideas on ways to entertain in the various seasons. Also brining in seasonal elements from nature whether it be from hikes or a local floral shop to bring the outside in.

Embrace Hygee Fully

If you haven't already, embrace Hygee. Really! The Dane’s have this figured out. I also looked to Scandinavian countries to see how they weather the cold. If they can do it, I am pretty sure we all can! This may mean bringing out the cozy blankets and slippers, lighting candles to bring warmth inside, sitting down to read a book, inviting friends over, having a warm or comfort meal, bundling up and getting outdoors, or simply taking more time to rest. For more ways to grasp this Danish movement try reading “The Little Book of Hygee”.

Other Inspiring Books to Read this Winter: The Little Book of Hygee, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, and The Mountain is You, Apres All Day (cookbook)

So how does this apply to your creative practice?

I think what goes on in our lives can greatly impact our creativity. There are seasons where we create more and others less. For some it may be summer and others winter or another season. Sometimes all it takes to have a sense of renewal in our creative process is a shift in perspective. I hope you enjoy this free lesson today and connect in a new way to this season.