The art of noticing Winter’s quiet power

“Every morning the world is created.”
– Mary Oliver

There is no denying that this Winter has brought us intensity.

Temperature drops of below 30 degrees celsius have dominated our days and nights, and heavy snowfalls have buried our city under 2 feet of snow.

Lake shores that once provided seating for picnics are currently frozen beyond access.

Some mornings have been so cold that the lake appears to steam. Against the quiet glow of the Winter sun, a soft mist rises where the water meets the frigid air.

I delight in these Winters.

It encourages me to live a balanced routine of savouring the slowness indoors, and, marvelling at the wintered landscape outdoors.

During these frigid months, nesting inwards looks like:

Diving into pages of literature: novels, astronomy, floriography and poetry
Consuming copious amounts of warm beverages
Layering under blankets with popcorn and fantasy films
Playing classical music
Lighting candles with matches – I love that faint, smoky scent that lingers in the air.
Reading, writing, dining and moving in candlelight

And when it’s time to go outside for movement and fresh air, the stillness of the frozen landscape invites me to marvel at the powerful beauty this season brings to the natural world.

Embracing Winter outside looks like:

Noticing how frozen rocks and vast white ice, illuminated by the bright sun, create an otherworldly, almost planetary landscape.
Hearing the gentle click of lake water swaying against sheets of ice.
Noticing the absence of sound after a snowfall – the air itself feels muffled beneath blankets of snow.
Observing how snow sparkles like crushed diamonds under the sun.
Knowing that, although I can’t see it, so much is happening beneath the surface of bare trees and shrubs – preparations for future blooms are in progress.
Feeling grateful for a warm parka, insulated boots, and wool mittens, hats, and scarves that keep me protected on these walks.
Feeling the warmth of the sunshine beneath all my layers.
Witnessing how animals adapt in this season – like swans tucking their beaks beneath their feathered wings to stay warm.

Both ways to experience Winter are beautifully true.

And both are beautifully necessary.

The lament for warmer weather is understandable – I too miss the feeling of sunshine on my legs and the airy flow of my favourite sun dress swaying alongside a bright confetti of flowers.

And also…

I am in constant awe of the magic Winter brings us.

Things may seem void of life, but there is a lot of vitality murmuring around us even on the most frigid of days.