Winter Solstice
Here we are, the last week before Christmas and well and truly winter. It feels like it's dark pretty much all of the time here in Britain at the moment. I'm so glad of all those cheery Christmas lights. This year the winter solstice falls on Sunday 22nd. It’s the longest night, the shortest day. For many years this really bothered me. As someone with seasonal affective disorder lack of light is a real issue. But I now see it as something to be celebrated. We’ve done it, we’ve reached the shortest day which means that little by little, minute by minute the days are going to get longer from here on in. There was a wonderful Christmas episode of Doctor Who a few years ago when the Doctor described midwinter celebrations as celebrations of being halfway out of the dark. That seems like a really good description to me.
Autumn, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, with its wonderful colourful displays is over and it’s time to “get through” winter and pray for spring. Well, that used to be my attitude. For the last few years I've committed to an intentional winter. I write a list of the things that I love about the season, the things that I want to experience and savour and work through that as a way of ensuring that I make the most of these cold months rather than just endure them. Being mindful and having things to plan for, to anticipate and to enjoy helps me engage with the world more when my every instinct wants me to hide away and do as little as possible until spring!
Every year the list always begins with all the things I love about Christmas. The lights, decorations, carols, cards, presents, food, seeing family and friends, singing at carol services, midnight Mass, mulled wine, watching Christmas movies, reading Christmassy books – the list goes on! Then, in my head I see myself on 6th January putting the tree away, taking down the decorations and packing them all away and I get that cold feeling of dread in my stomach. We’re less than a month into winter at that point. We’ve got at least two more months to go and it just feels bleak and dreary, especially when the media is harping on about diets and dry January and going to the gym. But, thanks to my mum, and her visit to Iceland in February a couple of years ago I've had an attitude shift. She came back reporting that the citizens of Iceland have the right idea. We need to be cosy and comforted in winter. Their restaurants and cafes serve the winter drinks all winter – they don’t disappear at the beginning of January. They decorate for winter, not just Christmas.
Needless to say I loved this idea. I decorate for autumn after all so why not winter? The following January when I was packing everything away I left out decorations that were winter themed rather than Christmas. Candle holders that show wintery scenes for example and I now have a large house plant that has fairy lights wound through it all year round as I love coming downstairs on a dark morning and switching them on. I also gave myself permission not to buy into the January self-denial. Instead it's all about self-care and self-love. Doing the things that will nourish me body and soul. To this end my list includes:
Decorating for winter and making the house as cosy as possible after Christmas.
A winter walk in the nature reserve, preferably with a friend. (Are you reading this Kate?)
Having a hygge weekend in London with my friend.
Wearing sequins in January and February (sequins are not just for Christmas parties people!)
Appreciating the first signs of snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils.
Learning to cook a new seasonal recipe.
Having a facial.
Enjoying winter scented candles.
Lots of fairy lights.
I’ll let you know how I get on. My Instagram and Facebook stories are usually the place where I update most regularly on my intentional season progress. If you don’t follow me already the links you need are below.
I encourage all of my clients to be intentional. It's by being so that we're most likely to achieve our goals whether that is a happy and healthy winter, improving our finances or getting a new qualification. Being intentional is so important. Where could being more intentional help you right now? It's worth giving it some thought.
