Winter is not my favourite season. It is a time in the year that I need to “get through”. Time and time again, I preach to my coachee’s not to wish their lives away and learn to live in the present moment.
How can I learn to be more present in the winter months when my thoughts are constantly rushing to remind how cold I feel or what shade of grey the skies are today.
Then I read “Wintering” by Katherine May in an attempt to understand the purpose of winter other than to make me feel like a slob and cold. During the short dark days of winter it, is difficult to jump out of bed and show up with zest and energy as I might during the summer months.
Katherine’s book suggests following nature’s pattern during the winter months and learning to use this time to recharge, renew, and refuel. This is not the time to be chasing your tail. The long dark nights are there to shut us down, not party it up, even though we are heading towards the season of parties. Listen to your own body and what you need to be at your best.
My seasonal yoga teacher constantly reminds us during our sessions that winter is a time to be. This is not a time to set goals and plan the future, as we tend to do on the 1st January of each calendar year. Perhaps if you are in the southern hemisphere where the warmth is on your side and the energy around you is supportive to growth, be my guest and set those goals.
Well of course there is more to wintering! It adds so much value to our well-being if we listen and follow nature’s process of wintering.
Bee’s know how to BE.
My favourite “ah ha” in the book was learning how bees handle winter. I’m so jealous! They have their own internal heater! Who would not want that? Best of all they take turns in expending their energy to warm up themselves and their hive. So in effect, they rest after expending much energy. They do not get into overwhelm or stress as they share the load and are clear about their roles and responsibilities. They know when to stop.
This got me thinking about the life of a bee and how often they get to just be bees. We spend our lives seeking to be like someone else or comparing ourselves to another.
Let’s be more bee. Learn how to be present. Learn how to be mindful so that you can be at your best more often.
I’m curious to hear from you of your own thoughts being more bee. What tips have you got to share?
On the flip side, drop me a note if you’re interested to learn more about learning to be present for the benefit of your well-being. I will be offering group wellness coaching sessions in early 2025.
