in her book winteringKatherine May reframes winter as a necessary pause, a period of rest, retreat, and readjustment. She writes about winter both literally and figuratively. It is a season in our lives when our energy wanes, our routines break down, and we are asked to draw inward rather than move forward. Rather than giving in to momentum, she argues, these moments are a reminder to be more mindful and kind to ourselves.
what makes it so wintering The argument that rest is not passive is very resonant. A hermit’s life can be active and fruitful. In slowing down, Mae discovers new forms of nourishment. It is a recovery that comes from warmth, ritual, reflection, and honoring rather than resisting where you are. In this sense, winter becomes a season of subtle changes. It may not be loud or visible, but it deeply restores and shapes what comes next.
A guide to making winter romantic
A romantic winter begins here. Instead of pretending that the seasons are easy or that they’ll be comfortable forever, choose to approach the seasons with intention. Through small rituals, soothing routines, and a gentler approach to wellness, winter can be a season of self-care, allowing for recovery, softness, and renewal beneath the surface. The ideas below are based on that philosophy. It’s a simple way to make winter feel more livable, more meaningful, and help you get through it.
What does it mean to make winter romantic?
When I talk about romanticizing winter, I’m not talking about forcing yourself to love the season or pretending it feels good all the time. For me, it’s about adjusting expectations, recognizing that winter is asking us to do something different, and responding carefully rather than resisting it.
In the winter, I no longer expect myself to operate at full capacity. I reduce my social schedule, simplify my routine, and prioritize rest without bargaining. It doesn’t mean withdrawing from life. It means getting through life with a little more flexibility and a lot less pressure to optimize.
Romanticizing winter also means paying attention to the little things that make the season more livable. A hot drink to cheer you up in the morning, going to bed early without feeling guilty, choosing familiar meals over ambitious ones, and feeling comfortable at home instead of demanding. The important thing is to make small decisions over time.
The whole point of romanticizing winter is meeting yourself where you are. Some days it seems like we’re comfortably huddled together. Some days it seems like I’m just going through it. Both are counted.
Small rituals to support winter health
Winter health is most effective when it’s simple, reproducible, and requires little effort. These are the rituals I return to when energy is limited and consistency is more important than intensity.
- Start your day with something warm. I love choosing alcohol, taking the time to prepare it, and enjoy it. It’s the small, sensory-based moments that help you start your day.
- Create a buffer in front of the screen. Even 15 minutes before checking your phone can help you feel less stressed and calmer.
- Try to eat breakfast and lunch repeatedly. Reducing your food choices will make winter mornings easier. I love hearty winter recipes.
- Turn down the lights early in the evening. Lamps and soft lighting help relax your body.
- Choose supportive movements. Walking, stretching, and short workouts are all important.
- Go to bed early every night. Winter is not the season to fight fatigue.
These rituals are meant to support you on days when your energy is low. Because if the basics are followed, everything else feels more doable.
A comfortable winter routine to support your daily life
When winter feels heavy, I’ve learned that comfort means arranging things so that daily life requires less effort. These routines focus on your home, body, and night, making it easier to get through winter without relying on motivation.
1. Make your bedroom a priority space. Winter nights are long, so your bedroom should feel like a haven. Fresh sheets, soft lighting and a comfortable temperature make nighttime relaxation a non-negotiable.
2. Keep blankets within reach. Hang the throw over the edge of your sofa, chair, or bed for easy warmth at any time. Convenience is important. I’ll use it if it’s nearby.
3. Light a candle in the evening. Lighting a candle as soon as the sun sets will help signal the transition from day to night. It’s a small habit that instantly softens a space.
4. Prepare for the morning the night before. Laying out clothes, setting up the coffee maker, and preparing breakfast will reduce friction when mornings feel dark and slow.
5. Keep something warm on the stove or in the oven. Whether it’s simmering soup, roasting vegetables, or warming bread, the heat in your kitchen increases comfort even before you sit down to eat.
6. Intentionally limit your evening plans. Even in winter, if you protect your energy, you’ll be fine. Fewer commitments give you more room to rest, recuperate, and spend unplanned time at home.
7. Create a simple nightly reset. Organize your kitchen, straighten your couch, and clear surfaces before bed.
8. Make your home “good enough.” Winter is not the season for perfection. A livable and comfortable space is more important than style.
Find beauty in slow seasons
Winter isn’t always pretty on the surface. The days are shorter, you have less energy, and the pace of life can feel unfamiliar. Especially if you’re used to measuring your day in terms of output. It turns out that in winter, beauty appears quietly. That’s usually when I stop rushing past. These small changes will help you notice them more often.
1. Let go of the urge to make winter fruitful. When you stop treating winter like a holding pattern and start taking it slow, you feel less resistance and it becomes easier.
2. Notice what repeats and take comfort in it. Same breakfast. Same way of walking. Same evening routine. In winter, repetition can feel grounding, especially when everything else feels uncertain.
3. Select fewer inputs. Less noise, fewer commitments, and simpler planning. Winter feels more manageable when you’re intentional about what you bring in.
4. Find beauty in taking care of yourself. Rest when you’re tired. Eat when you’re hungry. I’m at home when I need to be. These choices are practical considerations.
5. Allow your energy to fluctuate without judgment. Some days I feel balanced and other days I don’t. I learned not to read too much into either.
6. Notice the small comforts and cherish them. Because beauty doesn’t have to be impressive.
7. Don’t wait until the end of the season to enjoy it. It’s easy to postpone life until spring. I’ve found that winter feels longer when I wish it would go away, and lighter when I work with it as it is.
8. Don’t bury quiet moments, just be present. Not every pause needs a purpose. Sometimes it’s enough to sit, notice, and do almost nothing.
9. Trust that this season is doing something for you. Even if the conditions are unpleasant, there are ways to restore what is lost in winter. You don’t have to force growth. Growth often happens quietly in the background.
Invitation to the winter well
Winter doesn’t have to change to make sense. Sometimes the most supportive thing you can do is approach the season with fewer expectations, more mindfulness, and a willingness to rest when you need it. Making winter romantic doesn’t mean making it perfect. It’s about creating a little pocket of security and warmth that will keep you safe for months on end.
If there’s an invitation here, it’s simple. Make winter the time for maintenance. Choose rituals and routines that make your days feel a little calmer, and let go of the rest. Spring will come when you are ready. Until then, it’s enough to take care of yourself where you are.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
