Hello,
This is Janice Marie.
I don't know about you,
But sometimes I have a really difficult time getting through the winter.
The cold,
The snow,
And the ice,
I can't let put me in a bad mood at times.
The other day I was thinking I can look towards the next several months with dread,
Or I can change my thinking around them.
So I came up with these reframes to help me,
And hopefully you,
To get through the next several months if they are indeed challenging.
Let's begin.
Winter provides me an environment of rest and stillness.
It encourages me to pause from the outward exertion,
Inviting quietness and the chance to find the peacefulness within my soul.
The magic of the darkness of winter helps me to think in a more relaxed way.
It helps me to connect to my body and soul in a way I cannot in the warmer days and long days of daylight.
When the cold hits my face,
It stops me short of my repetitive angst,
Which can consume a good part of my day.
The crunching of the snow under my feet allows me to slow down and be more mindful.
The early morning darkness provides quietness to connect with myself.
When the cold hits my face,
It serves as a distraction to my repetitive and unproductive thoughts.
I can explore or engage in activities that only can be done with the snow,
The cold,
Or longer days.
The stillness after a snowstorm can provide a stop in the normal hustle and bustle of the season.
I can embrace the sunlight glistening off the snow to lighten my heart.
The cold on my face feels refreshing and awakening to the beauty around me.
The longer evenings give me time to explore hobbies and creativities that I normally would not have in longer days of daylight.
I can embark on writing,
Learning a new hobby,
Or learning a new subject.
This provides me the time to explore those activities.
The darkness can provide me with quiet time to practice gratitude for all the goodness in my life.
I am able to embrace the wonderment and the beauty of the season.
I can take the longer nights to focus on myself and my self-care.
I am able to get sunlight by going outside for a few minutes or sitting by a sunny window to improve my mood.
If I'm not able to be in the sunlight,
I can invest in a light box to help me achieve this.
I can cook or eat more seasonal appropriate meals using items that are in abundance during the winter.
Hearty soups,
Root vegetables,
Crock-pot favorites help me to eat for the season,
Which in turn nurtures my soul.
Drinking one beverage on a cold,
Dark morning or evening brings me joy and comfort.
The freshly fallen snow creates a beautiful,
Peaceful,
Quiet palate by muffling the sounds,
Which inspire me to feel awe and a great sense of serenity.
The winter season is a perfect time for cozy fires,
Drinking warm beverages and snuggling underneath blankets.
I can read books or just connect with my inner calm and sense of well-being.
The longer dark days gives me increased ability to get the rest I desperately need.
Winter provides me with an environment of stillness and rest.
It encouraged me to pause from the outward exertion,
Inviting quietness and the chance to find peacefulness within my soul.
Winter helps me transition from the longer days of constant activity to longer unlit hours,
Providing me a peaceful time for introspection and connecting with myself and rebuild my resiliency.
Finally,
I'm able to see winter as a period of time ending a certain cycle and leading to a new season of rebirth and regeneration.
Thank you for being with me today.
I hope you were able to find this helpful.
I hope we can visit again very soon.
Have a wonderful day.
Namaste.
