The truth is I was never a fan of winter. Winter sports are not my thing, I am not a fan of driving in the snow and I really don’t like being cold. Then, of course, there are the shorter days and longer nights. In the past I found them to be annoying because I always had so many things to do and I felt like the dark just made me even more tired than I already was. In reality, I thought of rest as weakness. I felt like I needed to push through, get everything done, and then I could rest. But surprise, I never felt like everything was done. Winter got it my way.
More recently though, as I reflect on the health benefits of slowing down and becoming more mindful, I truly appreciate our cold Northeast US winter as a season of rest. Research shows us the benefits of rest for our bodies and minds. I realize now that it is safe to rest, and when our bodies feel safe, creating comes very naturally. So instead of pushing through the pain, the stress of always having one more thing to do, there is value in taking our cues from nature.
During the winter season, trees and plants are resting. They shed their leaves to protect themselves and focus their energy inward. They are very much alive, still add value, and they are doing what they need to do to survive the elements. We have confidence that once Spring returns they will burst forth with vibrant life.
Similarly, It is okay to expect less from ourselves sometimes, especially in Winter. As humans, not machines, we will not have the same levels of productivity every day, every week, every season.
Corporate life does not necessarily support a seasonal approach; however, if your company does give you time off at the end of the year, or you have some vacation days, take them! Disconnect from devices. Soak in a few minutes of sunshine when it is available, make a cup of hot tea, snuggle up under a weighted blanket, read a good book, and take a few minutes to bring a bit of the outdoors in to your mind and your home. It is in these moments of quiet reflection that you will have the clarity to create.
Here are some pictures of my most recent project – I took advantage of a sunny winter day to forage for greens in my backyard so that I could make a few fresh wreaths for the house. I was surprised by how many goodies I was able to find. I used a variety of evergreens and some holly and cypress berries. I don’t have any kids or pets in the house, so I do not need to worry if they are toxic/non-toxic. This is something you should be mindful of if you have little ones because the wreaths could drop berries or leaves as they dry.
Are my wreaths perfect? No. But that’s the point. If I wanted perfect, I would buy factory-made. For me it was much more about the process of making them than it was about the final result. I got some fresh cold air and sunlight while I was looking for the materials. And, this was a fun craft because it didn’t take too long, was very tactile, and easy to focus on, which means I did not spend my time thinking about other stressors or things that are outside of my control, and that is always a good thing! It is all about the process.
While I gathered a variety of greens, pinecones, and holly berries from our yard, I used the time to dry a few orange slices in my oven – 200 degrees for about an hour (check them often). I let them dry overnight on a paper towel before using them. This was faster than my dehydrator – but be careful, because, as I learned the hard way, they will burn 🙂
Additional materials : wire wreath forms, fine gauge wire, and ribbon.
For each wreath, I picked up a few of the greens and the sprigs of berries and turned them into small bouquets by wrapping some wire around the stems. I used more of the same wire to fix the bouquets to the wreath form. I used five bundles for each of these wreaths but honestly, they could’ve taken six. I added a ribbon and a few more loose greens to even them out.
I’m really happy with them. One is displayed in the kitchen and one is on a closet door. They are very easy to hang using command hooks.
I enjoy bringing natural elements into my home and these wreaths are a gentle reminder that despite the shorter days and cold weather, there is still beauty to be found if we are willing to look for it.
I hope you’re able to slow down a little bit this season and get some rest without guilt or judgement, too! Follow the pattern of nature and let these wreaths be a reminder to slow down and enjoy the quiet beauty of the winter season. It is in the stillness where our greatest transformation happens.
