I’m taking a new approach to life right now. Well, hold on a second—hey, welcome back! I just jumped straight into it with no warm-up! I guess it’s because I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and what greater time to do it than at the top of the year. Now, mind you, I’ve thought about this for at least a year, and society and our lives unfold pretty much in this manner anyway. The only thing is, we as people really do fight against what is naturally happening.
I’m speaking about living our lives according to the seasons. Have you ever noticed that how you feel, and how the world naturally unfolds each season aligns with nature? For example, winter is the time when everything goes into hibernation. It doesn’t necessarily die, which I believe is a huge misconception. It just kind of goes to sleep. Animals gain weight, sleep more, and are less active. Nature itself saves its energy, slows its growth, and goes dormant. Leaves, grass, flowers—you name it. It’s like everyone knows that this is a time to go within, to save your energy, rest, and store up for the winter. Everyone except us.
I used to berate myself for my desire to stay in, eat more hot, filling meals, and sleep more—until I realized, this is the natural process of nature. Why would I be any different? This is the perfect time to be indoors more, eating delicious and healthy comfort meals to help the body during the winter months, and to rest from the previous hustle and bustle of the summer, storing up energy for spring.
I know there are people who really suffer from seasonal depression but I had to stop and ask myself: Am I really one of those people or am I just trying to carry the spirit of summer into winter instead of aligning with the spirit of winter? Winter gets a bad rep, but I think it’s only because it is constantly expected to act like a season it’s not. Instead of wishing I could feel like I do in another season, I figured, why not look at the beauty that winter brings and start locking into that instead?
For me, winter is the perfect time for reflection. It’s a time when I can learn from the previous months and decide if I want to move forward in the same manner, make some minor tweaks, or chuck the whole thing and try something different. It’s the time when I can take a look at my “happy meter” and decide what I’d like to do to make that bad boy move a little higher in my favor.
It’s also a time when I can plan fun things for myself—things I enjoy—which can be as big as a cabin trip to the mountains or as simple as getting a book I’ve heard great things about and scheduling reading time before heading to bed. Winter doesn’t have to be doom and gloom if you can get in alignment with it.
Is it dark and cloudy? Yup. But it’s also cozy and the perfect setting for candles, warm lighting, brisk walks in the crisp air, going to museums, taking up indoor hobbies like painting, puzzles, reading, listening to music, knitting, organizing your clutter, getting rid of items you no longer need, or even catching up on TV series you didn’t get to watch while you were out and about all summer long.
Literally, there are a ton of great things you can do in winter that make it such a great season. But you can’t see it for what it is if you’re focused on what it isn’t. Take a dance class, go ice skating, try indoor rock climbing, or experiment with new recipes. And if you’re someone who struggles with Seasonal Affective Disorder and you are having a day where you’re really missing the sun and all that it brings, you’re not alone. The lack of sunlight and the cold can have a significant impact on mood and energy. Find ways to support yourself through these darker days with little steps, like getting outdoors during daylight, keeping your space well-lit, or trying therapy options like red light therapy.
Either way, it’s okay to miss the great parts of the other seasons. Just don’t linger in it so long that you miss the greatness of the season you’re currently in. After all, winter deserves some love too!
Love you lots!
-Sacred
Finally Loving Life 
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