In his book WinteringKatherine May reframes winter as a necessary break: an interval of rest, retreat, and recalibration. She writes about winter both literally and metaphorically: the seasons in our lives when energy wanes, routines collapse, and we are asked to turn inward rather than move forward. These moments, she asserts, are not failures of momentum – they are invitations to take care of ourselves more attentively.
What makes Wintering his insistence that rest is not passive is so resonant. Retirement can be active, even fertile. By slowing down, May discovers new forms of nourishment: the warmth, the rituals, the reflection, and the restoration that comes from honoring the place we are in rather than resisting it. Winter, in this sense, becomes a season of subtle transformation – neither loud nor visible, but deeply restorative, shaping what comes next.
A guide to romanticizing your winter
Romantic winter begins here. Not by pretending the season is easy or infinitely comfortable, but by choosing to face it with intention. Through small rituals, comforting routines, and a gentler approach to wellness, winter can become a time of self-care, a time that allows for recovery, softness, and renewal beneath the surface. The ideas that follow are rooted in this philosophy: simple ways to make winter more enjoyable, more meaningful, and more supportive as you get through it.
What it means to romanticize winter
When I talk about romanticizing winter, I’m not talking about forcing myself to love the season or pretending it feels good all the time. For me, it’s about adjusting expectations, recognizing that winter asks something different of us, and responding with caution rather than resistance.
In winter I no longer expect to operate at full capacity. I plan fewer social engagements, simplify my routinesand favor rest without negotiating it. This doesn’t mean withdrawing from life, it means going through it with a little more gentleness and a lot less pressure to optimize it.
Romanticizing winter also means paying attention to the little things that make the season more livable: a hot drink that anchors the morning, going to bed earlier without guilt, choosing familiar meals over ambitious ones, and letting my home feel comforting instead of demanding. It’s all about looking at the small decisions that add up.
At its core, romanticizing winter is about finding yourself where you are. Some days it feels like comfort. Other days it’s just about getting through it. Both count.
Little rituals that promote winter well-being
Winter wellness works best when it’s simple, repeatable, and low-effort. These are the rituals I return to when energy is limited and consistency matters more than intensity.
- Start the day with something warm. I like to choose a favorite drink, prepare it and enjoy it slowly. It’s a little sensory moment that helps me transition into the day.
- Create a buffer before the screens. Even 15 minutes before checking your phone can reduce stress and set a calmer tone.
- Count on repeated breakfasts and lunches. Fewer food decisions make winter mornings easier. I love it nourishing winter recipes.
- Dim the lights earlier in the evening. Lamps and softer lighting encourage your body to relax.
- Choose a supporting move. Walks, stretches, and shorter workouts all count.
- Go to bed earlier, every night. Winter is not the season to fight against fatigue.
These rituals are meant to support you on days when energy is low. Because when the basics are taken care of, everything else seems more achievable.
Cozy winter routines that support you every day
When winter is heavy, I’ve learned that comfort is all about organizing things so that daily life requires less effort. These routines focus on your home, your body, and your evenings, making it easier to navigate winter without relying on motivation.
1. Make your bedroom a priority space. Winter nights are long, so your the bedroom should feel like a haven of peace. Fresh sheets, softer lighting, and a comfortable temperature will make your nighttime relaxation a non-negotiable.
2. Keep blankets handy. Drape a throw over the couch, chair, or end of the bed so warmth is always easy to access. Convenience matters: if it’s nearby, you’ll use it.
3. Light candles in the early evening. As soon as the sun sets, lighting a candle marks the transition between day and night. It’s a small habit that instantly softens a space.
4. Prepare your mornings the night before. Arranging clothes, setting the coffee maker, or making breakfast reduces friction when mornings seem darker and slower.
5. Keep something hot on the stove or in the oven. Simmering souproast vegetables or warm bread: the heat in the kitchen adds comfort even before sitting down to the table.
6. Intentionally limit evening plans. It’s good to protect your energy in winter. Fewer commitments leave more room for rest, recovery, and unstructured time at home.
7. Create a simple nightly reset. Tidy up the kitchen, straighten the couch, or clean a surface before bed.
8. May your home be “good enough.” Winter is not the season for perfection. A livable and comfortable space is more important than a stylish space.
Finding Beauty During the Slower Season
Winter isn’t always pretty on the surface. The days are shorter, the energy is less and the pace of life can seem unfamiliar, especially if you are used to measuring your days according to your production. I’ve discovered that in winter, beauty appears quietly, and usually when I stop running past it. These little changes help me notice it more often.
1. Give up the urge to make winter productive. When I stop viewing winter as a pattern of waiting and allow it to be slower, I feel less resistance and more ease.
2. Notice what is repeated and let it be comforting. The same breakfast. The same walk. The same evening routine. Repetition can feel grounding in winter, especially when everything else seems uncertain.
3. Choose fewer entries. Less noise, fewer commitments, simpler plans. Winter feels more manageable when I’m intentional about what I let in.
4. Find beauty in taking care of yourself. Rest when you are tired. Eat when you are hungry. Stay home when necessary. These choices are practical acts of care.
5. Let your energy fluctuate without judgment. Some days will seem balanced, others not. I learned not to read too much either.
6. Notice the little comforts and let them count. Because beauty doesn’t have to be impressive to matter.
7. Stop waiting for the season to end to enjoy it. It’s easy to put life on hold until spring. I’ve discovered that winter feels longer when I want it to – and lighter when I commit to it as is.
8. Let quiet moments exist without filling them. Not every pause needs to have a purpose. Sometimes you just have to sit, notice, or do very little.
9. Trust that this season is doing something for you. Even when uncomfortable, winter has the power to restore what has been depleted. You don’t have to force growth: it often happens quietly in the background.
An Invitation to the Winter Well
Winter doesn’t need to be transformed to have meaning. Sometimes the best thing you can do is face the season as it is: with fewer expectations, more care, and a willingness to rest when rest is needed. Romanticizing winter doesn’t mean making it perfect. It’s about creating little pockets of comfort and warmth that help you get through the months feeling held.
If there is an invitation here, it is simple: let winter be a time of care. Choose the rituals and routines that make your days a little sweeter and leave the rest alone. Spring will come when it is ready. In the meantime, just take care of yourself where you are.
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