Slow Notes: Reinventing winter
Discovering the small joys of winter - from cosy corners and seasonal reads to nature’s surprises - has been helping me see the season in a whole new light.
Little notes from me about what I’ve been up to, with personal stories and honest reflections from my own journey of living life more slowly and simply. A gentle space to pause, notice the quiet moments, and appreciate the small things that make life feel rich.
Just in case you missed last month’s Slow Notes, you can read it here.
As I looked out into our little garden, I noticed a few bright green shoots pushing up through the soil, almost as if they were peeking out to see what the rest of nature was doing. I wouldn’t have blamed them for staying tucked beneath the earth a little longer. But with the blue sky and bright sunshine, I could almost forget we’re moving into winter. I can see why those curious little shoots felt tempted to appear.
Later, though, we had a heavy downpour. I’m sure the ground was grateful for it, but it was a clear reminder that autumn has been and gone, especially as I watched the trees swaying in the bitter cold wind with their now bare branches.
When I was little, I think I actually did enjoy winter. I remember wishing for snow every year, hoping it would fall thick enough to close the school and give us one of those magical snow days. Back then, winter definitely felt exciting and full of possibility and play. Somewhere along the way though that changed. As I grew older, the colder, darker days began to feel heavier, and I slowly drifted into disliking the winter season. Maybe you can relate, and have felt the same way too?
I’ve shared before how daunting I can find winter. As soon as autumn arrives, my mind jumps ahead to the darker months, and I feel that familiar uneasiness rise. I love the warm weather, the deep vibrant greens, the bursts of colour, and the garden flourishing. I love stepping outside and feeling nature at its happiest.
But in a recent journal entry, I wrote about wanting to make peace with it. This year, I’m choosing to welcome winter with open arms. I’ve decided it’s time to alter my relationship with the season, to embrace it, to look for the beauty within it, to stop wishing it away, and maybe, just maybe, to learn to like winter.
I love when I open a book and the first few pages put into words exactly how I’m feeling. That’s what happened when I started While the Earth Holds Its Breath by Helen Moat. (If you missed last week’s journal entry, this is the book I chose to read next…)
“Every year for as long as I could remember, I spiralled down into winter anxiety. Every autumn, I dreaded the shortening days, the grey skies, the fog and rain. But what if I went outdoors, even on the worst days, instead of turning my back on winter weather?… Could I learn to love the drizzle and mists? I don’t know, but I would reinvent winter in my mind. If I could. I’d had enough of being prisoner to grey skies and low moods. Every moment is a fresh moment, T.S Eliot had written. I would make a new journey into winter, a mindful journey, a hopeful journey, one of celebration. This was my fresh moment, and as I made the decision, I felt something lighten inside me.”
- While the Earth Holds Its Breath by Helen Moat
This year I’m choosing to reinvent winter for myself!
As I feel winter’s tug inviting me to slow down, along with noticing how nature is settling into its long, nourishing rest, I’m trying to take in that quiet wisdom. I’m choosing to meet the season with curiosity rather than resistance, and to look for the little things I’ve often overlooked. There’s definitely a tiny ‘fresh moment’ of realisation that winter doesn’t have to feel the way it always has.
As I step into this winter journey, I felt it might be nice to share some of the little things I’ve been noticing, along with the quiet moments that have brought a touch of beauty and magic to the season. These are the gentle reminders and small delights that are helping me rediscover the charm, warmth, and sense of wonder tucked inside winter’s colder days.
Looking up and finding beauty
I had the most wonderful morning treat a few days ago. Sitting in my favourite cosy spot, I looked out at the big trees behind the garden fence and spotted a bird I didn’t recognise. It was a woodpecker! I’ve never seen one here before.
I quietly stepped outside and watched it hop from tree to tree, admiring its beautiful and unique markings. Nearby, a couple of curious squirrels carried on collecting their nuts, totally unbothered by my presence. The chilly sunny morning also brought blue tits, robins, magpies, crows, and a very large and lively family of long-tailed tits flitting through the branches… something I perhaps wouldn’t have noticed if the trees hadn’t of shed their autumnal leaves.
It reminded me of a quote I read this summer in Everything I’ve Ever Done That Worked by Lesley Garner… It’s such a brilliant book!…
“If you look up, you will expand your world. You will see clouds, weather, the colour of the sky, the stars and planets, the flight of birds, the pattern of branches, the silver trail of planes. If you look up, you’ll notice all the creative, expressive, witty, quirky things that architects, builders, sculptors do that nobody notices.”
A lovely reminder for finding the beauty in winter that so often gets missed.
Winter-inspired books
One thing I’ve been wanting to embrace more is the idea of reading seasonally and choosing books that reflect the time of year we’re in. It feels very comforting settling into stories and reflections that echo what’s happening beyond the window. I love that these winter-themed books bring a sense of inspiration and encouragement through the colder months, while also reminding me of the joy, celebration, and beauty that winter holds if we take the time to notice it.
As I mentioned above, I’ve just begun While the Earth Holds Its Breath by Helen Moat, and it already feels like the perfect companion for this season. I also recently picked up Angela Harding’s beautiful book, Winter’s Song. And I’ve spotted a copy of Wintering by Katherine May on the bookshelf downstairs, so I’ll definitely be borrowing that next!
Winter fragrances
Bringing a touch of winter indoors with a festive fragrance has felt like such a lovely treat. There’s something about it that carries nostalgia, creates a little pocket of calm, and reminds me that winter is full of incredible scents waiting to be enjoyed. At the moment, we’re using the cedarwood and pine needles diffuser by Plum & Ashby (they’ve currently got a festive sale on).
Creating extra cosiness indoors
I really love how just a few small touches like stringing up some fairy lights, lighting a candle, keeping a warm blanket nearby, pulling on cosy socks, and wearing a favourite knitted jumper can make such a difference to the way winter feels. These little comforts seem to lift the mood and bring a sense of cosiness even on the coldest, darkest days. They somehow make stepping out into the chilly air feel worthwhile, because you know you’ll return to a warm, welcoming space where you can settle in and enjoy that feeling of being tucked up again.
Seasonal podcasts
I love a good podcast, and I’m so happy to have found a few that feel perfectly seasonal. I’ve been really enjoying As The Season Turns by Ffern - it’s such a lovely way to ease into the rhythm of each month. I’ve also just started the latest episode of Small Ways to Live Well from The Simple Things, which is full of gentle ideas for thoughtful living. And next on my list is The Calm Christmas Podcast with Beth Kempton, which I’m very much looking forward to listening to.
I’d love to know… How do you like to welcome and find joy in the winter months?
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If you’ve enjoyed reading this journal entry, and you’d love to support my creative work, you can buy me a virtual coffee here. It really helps me a lot, and I appreciate your support so much.
Just in case you missed it…
If you’d love to learn more about me and my work, you can visit my website here. I’d also love to connect with you over on Instagram - you’ll find lots of beautiful blooms and nature-inspired posts, alongside gentle business musings, reflections, and more.
Until next time…
I loved this post Clementine, thank you for sharing it ✨
❤️❤️❤️🙏🥰