Wintering: A gentle invitation to slow down

Reflecting on art, seasons, and self care.

As we enter the last month of the year (!), I’ve definitely felt my SAD syndrome kicking in…

Actually, I’m beginning to think that I’ve misdiagnosed myself somewhat– the shortening of the days is naturally linked to a slowing down of our bodies and a more introspective mood – no matter what our extroverted, ‘always on’ society tries to tell us. I’m a long way from depressed as I used to be, but I do notice a distinct heightening of my anxiety, and an increased need to hibernate in the winter months.

Here I’ll reflect on my year so far since I decided to focus on illustration and art as a career, and my plans for ‘wintering’.

I’ve only just come across this concept of ‘wintering: Winter is commonly seen as a time for people to turn inward, characterized by slower activity, rest, reflection, and introspection. This inward movement mirrors the natural world, where plants replenish and nature slows down. The shorter days and longer nights of winter create a natural invitation to draw inward, process the past year, and prepare for the future.

Why winter encourages introspection:

Natural Rhythm:

Winter mirrors the night’s darkness as a time for “dream time” and inner journeys, contrasting with the perpetual extroverted energy often demanded by modern society.

Winter whispers a message to our deeper selves —an invitation to draw our energy inward. It’s a season when the germinating seeds of our potential lie nestled in the soil of our being, waiting to begin growing in spring. Winter, therefore, becomes our dream time, a sacred period where we journey within, reconnecting with our inner visions and dreams.

In a world that often demands we remain in a perpetual state of summer, a society that treats us more like machines than living beings, we may unwittingly impose expectations of unceasing extroverted energy and summertime moods upon ourselves even in the depths of winter. Yet, this season whispers a different truth—one of going within and connecting with the self. (Spiritual Rewilding blog)

Rest and Restoration:

The cold and darkness naturally nudge people toward rest and a slower pace, providing an opportunity for physical, mental, and emotional restoration.

In contrast to the energetic drive of spring and summer, winter invites us into a quieter, more reflective space. The energy of the season is inwardly focussed, urging us to pause, rest, and rejuvenate rather than push forward relentlessly. This time of year calls for gentleness and introspection; a chance to honour the need for rest, self-care, and nourishment. (The Clear Space blog)

Preparation for Growth:

Similar to plants replenishing and rebuilding during winter, we can use this time to consolidate energy, restore ourselves, and prepare for the next cycles of spring and growth.

Cultural Themes: The practice of “wintering” involves embracing quietness, stillness, and self-reflection to listen to one’s inner voice and learn about oneself.

The year so far…

We’re always our harshest critic, but I often beat myself up for not having made more ‘progress’. I’ve started to realise how much I base my worth on productivity and achievement so this new venture into art and illustration is a real learning curve. On first reflection when looking back at the year so far, all I see is what I haven’t yet done:

- Haven’t found my ‘style’ and niche.

- Haven’t made a website

- Haven’t connected with enough people

- Haven’t made enough art

- Haven’t made a business plan

- Haven’t got a ‘brand’ or a fancy logo

- Haven’t got 20 billion squillion followers on Instagram

- Haven’t properly learned how to use Procreate

But when I look closer, I can see many triumphs:

- I actually decided that art and illustration is what I want to pursue instead of getting side tracked into ‘sensible’ career options and denying my creativity and natural working rhythms.

- I have stuck consistently to Jehane’s Golden Thread challenge for 21 months!

- I have sketchbooks full of art.

- I learned how to do digital illustrations.

- I joined courses by Good Ship Illustration and met some lovely local illustrators though it.

- I signed up for Squarespace to make a website.

- I shared stuff on Instagram even when I was scared.

- I started Substack even though I was intimidated by it and have no idea if it’ll lead anywhere.

- I started a self-initiated project about the A-Z of dogs.

- And, perhaps most importantly, I’ve identified my unconscious block – fear of being visible due to bullying and other traumas with a small ‘t’ – and I’m working on dismantling that slowly but surely.

It’s also been an ‘extroverted’ summer of starting a new job and plenty of hikes, daytrips, and travels. But now I feel the call to go inwards again.

How I’m going to spend my “wintering”:

• Art Journaling: Cosy nights spent drawing and not focusing on whether it needs to be shared or not.

• Art Practice: I know I can improve a lot in terms of poses, gestures, facial expressions for characters. Quickposes.com has been invaluable for learning how to enhance my drawing.

• Deconditioning from productivity: I’m not going to shame myself for doing less. I have a basic plan of a few things I can do each week to move forward but I’m not going to beat myself up if I don’t do all of them – think guidelines not concrete schedule.

• Listen to my body: Trusting my body’s natural inclination to slow down and rest, rather than pushing through with constant activity.

• Process the past year and prepare for the year ahead: Using ‘Twixtmas’ and the quietness of January to reflect on 2025 and what I want to get out of 2026 (only when Spring arrives, mind 😉)

Let’s re-frame the push to live in an endless summer. Let’s winter!

Do you feel the pull towards ‘wintering’? How are you going to nurture your art practice in the winter months?