Before I launch into this post, let's be clear that I love living somewhere with four seasons. I have spent time in places that have no seasons (well, technically one, maybe two seasons if you really squint and look hard enough) and I felt so out of place, and out of sorts, in those places. It was very difficult for me to live without seasons, and I discovered just how much I tend to measure my own life by the rhythms of the earth at each change in the season.
So, in that sense, I am grateful for winter. I suppose. But it can be difficult to be grateful for winter when my beloved long, lazy, hazy summer evenings are over and my flowers and herbs in the gardens have died and I have to spend even more time indoors, in front of a computer screen.
The transition from fall to winter - and oddly, from winter to spring - are some of the most difficult times of the year for me. I like early fall. Late September and early October are frequently warm and sunny in Canada, and blue skies contrast beautifully with the changing leaves, in their fiery red, orange and brilliant yellow hues.
But by mid to late October, we lose daylight really quickly. Although I still try to go outside as much as possible, before long, it's dark before dinner, and the evenings can stretch on and on. I begin to struggle.
I think a lot of people in warmer or milder climates tend to romanticize fall. And I understand why: for them, it's a time when the heat of the summer finally breaks and they can enjoy time spent outdoors again. They might even be able to get away with wearing fashionable boots or a bulkier cotton sweater here and there. But for those of us in the extreme north - the northern U.S. or Canada - it's a solemn time, when we reluctantly ready our heavy layers, wool scarves, fur hats, mittens, and warm boots, and watch as the sun grows more and more distant in the sky.
To handle the onset of what is invariably a long winter, I often turn inwards. This, to me, is a time of deep reflection and introspection. It's rather forced on us, too: when you are sitting on the couch from 7:30pm until bedtime because it's dark and cold outside, there's really no other place to turn than inwards.
Of course, there's some beauty in it. For me, October, November and December are usually a time when my creativity begins to spark. I crave spending the long evenings drawing, painting, or writing. I'm usually so distracted by the heat and excitement of the summer and early fall months that I don't have time to dig deep and pull out creative gems within; winter, on the other hand, provides ample opportunity for me to do so (after all, what other choice do I have)?
I also crave yoga in winter. While in spring, summer and early autumn I am naturally active - taking long walks, working in my garden, running errands during the long days, and slack on my yoga routine - autumn and winter seem to mean I spend more time inside. I make it a point to go to power yoga classes. The vigorous activity is good for my body, and the more spiritual and introspective aspects of the practice tend to be pretty good for my soul. It's interesting that in winter, for me at least, with the rain, sleet, ice and snow, it's necessary to be much more creative in order to stay active.
Another part of my transition to winter routine tends to include tea. Okay, I know this sounds simple, but it's something that I've found to be really important. I tend to crave snacks during the long winter evenings, but I find that quite often, I can fulfill that craving through the warm and comforting and flavorful experience of having a cup of tea. I live near a couple of David's Tea stores, but occasionally order from online shops like the Tea Spot. My favorite evening cup of tea is Oolong. My favorites are the Tea Spot's coconut oolong, and David's Tea sticky rice oolong. I also tend to enjoy a cup of green tea or chai tea in the evening. One of my favorite things about December in recent years has been David's Tea 25 Days of Tea advent calendar. I order this in November every year and really enjoy the ritual of opening a new cup of tea every night - it gives me something to look forward to during the long nights!
I think the final - and most important - way that I deal with the transition to winter is just by distracting myself. If I'm feeling sad about the loss of warm, sunny days and evenings spent on my balcony, I try to find something to do. Taking a class or signing up for an activity is always ideal. I love learning, and in the past I have spent my winters doing things as diverse as earning a certificate in graphic design, learning how to paint with watercolor, and joining a community orchestra. These activities really keep my mind active, my body off of the couch, and help me harness this introspective time of year to really develop my skills and better myself for the future.
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