Tales of Slow & Simple | 05
The slow, simple, and quiet moments of winter
In my Tales of Slow & Simple series, I’ll be sharing with you my journey of embracing and living a slower and simpler life; one that is filled with little moments of joy, discovery, healing, mindfulness, and intentionality, and one that prioritises my energy for what matters most.
In last month’s Tales of Slow & Simple, I shared how I’ve been trying to live more simply over the past couple of years, and what that journey has looked like for me. This month, I’m sharing a few winter reflections that have helped me find small moments of joy during this increasingly cold season.
I recently came across a lovely magazine called Breathe - perhaps you’ve read it? The latest issue features a beautiful article about giving yourself permission to pause, reflect, and let time pass by while daydreaming, relaxing, or simply observing the world around you, even if it’s just for a couple of minutes.
I enjoy finding the beauty in every season, but during winter, I find myself longing for warmer days and the vibrant colours of blossoming gardens and fields. Sometimes, it’s a real challenge to find those small moments of joy in the freezing outdoors, especially when all I want to do is stay inside, wrapped in a blanket, and hibernate until spring comes!
I wanted to share some reflections with you, as I’ve taken time to seek and appreciate the small, slow, simple, and quiet moments of winter, instead of wishing it away. Even just being still for a few minutes, it’s surprising what small joys you can notice.
Below are some gentle reflections that I have collected over the past few days…
I chose to leave my phone untouched until after I’d showered and dressed, I spent those quiet morning moments gazing out the window. I watched the sunlight spread over the chimney tops, stretching out to illuminate the distant hills, while birds darted gracefully between trees, rooftops, and aerials.
While having breakfast, I noticed a little robin hopping from branch to fence to the ground, searching for his meal before returning to the fence to whistle his cheerful tune.
Standing outside in the crisp, fresh air, I watched my breath form a mist that drifts upward before fading away.
One of the many squirrels who comes to visit, who I recognise as ‘helicopter squirrel’ (who I aptly named, because I’m sure one day he’s going to take off), comes to gather as many nuts as he can (I’m sure there must be a huge stash of them somewhere), and takes them back over the fence, and down through the brambles. His tail swirling around and around as he collects them! (Apparently they do this to communicate with and alert other squirrels!)
As I got into my car, bundled up in my coat against the cold, I noticed on my windscreen the delicate and detailed patterns of the frost. When I turned on the heat to defrost it, the frost slowly melts, forming heavy droplets that slide down the glass like tiny rivers.
As I looked out the window, I saw a blue tit on the hanging bird feeders. I had been disappointed not to see any birds on them for a quite some time, but as I paused and watched, I realised the feeders were still being enjoyed by the birds.
Despite not being mentioned in the weather forecast, we were pleasantly surprised by a brief flurry of snow. The delicate flakes began drifting down, growing larger and falling more quickly before finally coming to a gentle halt.
As I walk around outside, amid nature's quiet slumber and stillness, vibrant green shoots are breaking through the soil, the magnolia buds are preparing for their stunning display, and dormant plants are springing back to life, heralding growth, hope, and fresh beginnings as we step into the new year.
After a frosty evening, the morning brings the excitable sound of starlings. Looking out the window, I see them enjoying some unfrozen water in the bird bath, happily going about their day, surrounded by the glistening frost as the sun starts to peek through the clouds.
Sitting in my favourite spot in the conservatory on a late afternoon, I notice the evenings gradually growing lighter, the days stretching slightly longer, gently urging nature to awaken from its winter slumber.
Please do feel free to share some of your own winter reflections in the comments. Sometimes, we all need a little extra encouragement to find the beauty in our daily lives, especially during these colder, darker months. I know I sometimes do!
Until next time…
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Very thought provoking 💕
I enjoyed reading about your lovely winter moments. How beautiful.
My favourite so far is our walk around a local park last weekend. It was a -5 frost and foggy. Although cold, it was incredibly invigorating. And beautiful to photograph too.