How to enable the winters of your life, to create ultimate happiness.
I am NOT a “winter person”.
For the longest time, I have absolutely adored cosmos flowers for their beauty, simplicity, and wild nature. They emerge in huge swathes along both country and urban roads, creating an explosion of pastel. For the longest time, I have also hated seeing these swathes emerge out of nothing. It was a pastel reminder that the winter is literally a few short weeks away. And I hate winter, well, I did. The icy cold mornings, the feeling of gloom. It feels harder to do outdoor activities. My soul just absolutely thrives on the beautiful outdoors in full abundance of spring and summer, and yearns for it, in winter.
This year I felt my soul shift.
This year, as the cosmos exhibited its exuberant pastel display, Why have I been such a vehement proponent of the “We hate winter” faction? I found my answer. Like with many things in life, Summer, Spring, and Autumn are easy to love. Winter takes a bit more focus on the good, to be able to appreciate it. As the Cosmos stood proud and tall I undertook it in my soul. This year, I will learn to enjoy winter.
How do you drive this change?
I needed to find what I have actually secretly cherished about winter even when proclaiming I hated the season. Warm, comforting meals, cooked low and slow. Comfortable soft and warm bedding keeping out the cold. Grey sweatpants, for those who get the reference.
You see, the rest-aspect of winter is what I loved. I am focusing on this now, the silent preparations for the more easily lovable seasons. Nature is in slumber, slowly building up the energy it needs for the next beautiful chapter, and so am I. Just before winter started, I had suffered the consequences of years of overextending myself. I had hopelessly and helplessly spiralled into absolute, complete burnout.
I am happy that this time of year is a bit less taxing socially, and presents in its very nature, opportunities for rest. I decided this year, I am relishing this, and absolutely embracing the restful spirit of winter, thus far, I may not be loving it completely, however, I am not nearly as miserable as I had been during previous winters, I am enjoying my downtimes when I can rest and just get lost in a myriad of blankets and duvets, feeling very privileged to do so.
How does this translate to life? How does this inspire others, like YOU?
We go through so many winters in life. Breakups, death of a loved one, loss of a job. Our winters are varied and many throughout our life.
And, not taking away from the pain you may have felt in these moments, or are perhaps feeling right now, it is needed to look around and take stock. Just as I took stock of winter and through gratitude, found that there is so much to enjoy and cherish, you can look around you in the darkest times and find some level of joy. Sometimes it is easy, friends and relatives are a comfort for many. You may not have this, but perhaps that ball of fur depending on you for love and care, your pet, may be just that for you.
There is always something that will make the winter of your life more bearable.
When you find this, you can start working towards using the time to regroup, recuperate, and heal, so that when the new buds of spring start showing in your life, you can appreciate them with a clear and joyous heart.
You’ve GOT this, you will thrive out of the winter in your life, and you will become your own radiant spring. I believe in you, and I love you.
So, go out there, and let your beautiful soul shine on this world, perhaps you are the warmth in someone’s winter today.