Extracting the joy from the winter season...
Ah the turn of the seasonal wheel…bringing with it a visual treat as the landscape changes colour and glittering sunrises can be caught. However it can also bring a sense of dread to those of us that struggle with the dark mornings and colder weather….I am ready to hygge the heck out of life because every year I struggle to maintain my mojo and threaten to move countries, so I am writing this blog just as much for me as I am for you!
If you feel the same, join me in a mission to extract the joy of the season ahead - looking at what we can get excited about and the wonderful seasonal changes that winter brings.
I am going to pour myself into embracing the benefits rather than the drawbacks, so together I am certain we can keep our energy and mood buoyed!
I love to remind myself that the more we can live in tune with the seasons, the more graceful and joyful life will be and as the great circle of life moves on, some things are meant to come to an end; providing opportunities to grow as life is all about ebb and flow. Autumn provides such a wonderful opportunity to shed what no longer serves us, just as the trees shed their leaves. Consider which of your habits and routines have got a bit dusty and clogged up - what needs enlivening again? What baggage do you no longer want to carry, that shedding would enable you to feel lighter as you step into winter. Doesn’t that sound good?!
There are also many practical ideas I am going to be trying, so let me know which tips you try and what works for you! I wish both myself and you lots of luck :-)
Reflect mother nature by hunkering down:
If you feel like slipping into hibernation mode...that's OK! It's normal and healthy and important to honour what your body needs - this might look like dialling up the self-care and making more time for rest, earlier nights and a more consistent meditation practice - treat yourself to this Autumnal meditation with Katy, perfect to calm you down, get you feeling optimistic about the season and to set you up for a dreamy sleep.
Allow yourself to feel comforted:
Wrap yourself up in cosy warm clothes, add colour to your wardrobe - make sure your senses aren’t too dulled! Physical touch can feel really comforting and enlivening so make sure there’s plenty of that ;-) or book in for a full body massage and treat yourself to plenty of warm baths laced with essential oils - gold, orange, earthy spices and tones to help you feel comforted, cosy and warm will all help to keep your inner fire lit.
Move your body & embrace the outdoors:
This is going to be key for me this year so I invite you to join me! I am going to aim for 4-5 times per week to move my body properly, whether that be a long walk, jog, bike ride, hike in the mountains or an indoor yoga or qigong class. And every single day make sure you get outside - this might be as little as a quick 10 minute walk, but it's critical that we see daylight, to absorb Vitamin D where we can; feel the elements and inhale fresh air. Invite in as much natural light as possible - blinds open, face towards window, get outside at the lightest time of the day. I will be using this great Vitamin D supplement and embracing my Lumi lamp to help me wake up in the dark mornings with its clever way of simulating dawn. It's important to keep a regular schedule so head to bed, wake up and eat at similar times every day to support your circadian rhythm and sleep cycle.
Regularly plan in time for mood-boosters:
It's important to stay sociable too and this requires planning ahead! Isolation is important to ward off during the winter months - this might be a chat with a pal, getting a group of friends together, meeting up for a walk outside, playing a group sport outdoors, indulging in your hobbies or volunteering in your community - plan ahead and get them plotted into your diary so that they happen! Plan your schedule around joyful activities so that your mood is boosted ahead of all the other stuff you want to apply yourself to. It's easier to get into the swing of this in Autumn rather than trying to motivate yourself once the Winter blues have set in - so let’s get a head start! My online writing club adds joy and connection to my schedule every day.
Drown yourself in beauty:
The joy of Autumn and Winter has to be the incredible sunrises and sunsets - make sure you get out to see them!! Take notice of what time they will happen, check the weather and if there are some dry days coming, plot into your diary that you intend to see them!! Wrap up, get out for a walk and drink in the beauty.
Taste the season:
It can be fun, warming and comforting to embrace seasonal produce and start making hearty and warming stews and pies, or experimenting with some sweet treats for your favourites. It's such a lovely time to gather people together and bond over a delicious feast or make someone’s day with a doorstep drop off! I will be making this insane Pumpkin Loaf, Pumpkin Pie, apple crumbles and this delicious Highland Beef & Pickled Walnut stew - yummy!! You might even gather people outdoors around a firepit or outdoor heater under a twinkly sky.
Hygge the heck out of your home:
You have every excuse now to embrace ultra cosiness - blankets, candles, lighting the fire! You might even consider adding a lick of jewel-toned paint to a corner of a room to turn it into a cosy library or writing room! Hygge literally means cosiness - inviting people into your home, turning the lights down, making everywhere look beautiful with candles and indulging in warming drinks and piping hot food - board game or movie night anyone? I am a constant bookworm but this is the perfect time to curl up in front of a fire with a glass of red and lose yourself in another world...dreamy! I love nothing more than bringing the outside in and decorating my home with seasonal gifts such as acorns, conkers, pine cones (or ‘fir bobs’ in my house) and beautiful orange fauna to create mini displays. You could add candles, crystals and sage to create a mini altar for meditation and journaling.
Let's embrace the season and find the joy!
If you would love support and accountability over the winter months, now is a wonderful time to embark on a coaching journey. Click the button below to find out more.