Slow Living Activities for Winter
Sharing my simple yet actionable ways of intentionally embracing this season...
When I think of winter, I think of brisk cold air wrapping me up into my own snow globe of magic. Drinking warm apple cider and endless cups of tea, walks in the sunshine, dreary early nights, stews and soups, sweaters on repeat, and wrapped up in a really great scarf, extended time for reading, basically all things cozy.
“That's what winter is: An exercise in remembering how to still yourself then how to come pliantly back to life again.” -Ali Smith
As we are about to enter the slow, silent period of Christmas and those magical days before New Year’s, I wanted to leave you with my final installment of “Slow Living Activities”. You can also read Spring, Summer, and Autumn for more inspiration and can return to these again and again as we move through each season. I hope they’ve been helpful for you on your journey of implementing a slower, more intentional life.
So cozy up, make a cup of hot chocolate, and get inspired for the simple joys that winter brings…
Thrift oversized sweaters
I have an obsession with big, oversized, fluffy sweaters. I can’t stop won’t stop even when my husband rolls his eyes at me for stuffing yet another sweater into my wardrobe when we live in Florida. If you’re somewhat of a sweater connoisseur, like me, then one great way to find amazing sweaters is to thrift for them! I feel like sweaters have such beautiful stories woven within them, especially if they are well made (look for 100% materials like wool or cotton).
Gaze out the window each day
I get it, it’s freakin’ cold out. So on those days when you just can’t talk yourself into throwing on a million layers and going outside (can someone tell my child we don’t have to go outside each day? Because that would be GREAT), have a little gaze out of the window. I love to make a cup of tea and sit by the window with zero distractions, watching as the trees sway, the squirrels scurry around, and everything feels still. I love to thank the trees, the ground, our home, and just bask in the quiet energy that winter brings.
Light candles or turn on diffusers
Winter is all about darkness, and it’s our job to bring in the light. I love to light candles this time of year and have them going. I also have a couple of big diffusers around our house that I will put some drops of essential oil in to (my current favorite is this chai blend). Having warming (non-toxic, please) scents around the house feels so nurturing, and even just the light of the candle or the light from the diffuser makes our home so warm and inviting. Some of my favorite candles & essential oils…
Fireside Chai from Saje Wellness
Christmas Tree from Plant Therapy
Cozy from Far & Wild
Warm Citrus Spice from Primally Pure
Make big batches of stews and freeze the leftovers
I have a love affair with my dutch oven. My mom and sister gave me a Le Creuset one a few years ago for Christmas and it is my cooking lifeline in the winter. I make slow-roasted soups, stews, roasts, and sourdough in it. Mmm, so good. I never seem to make enough to freeze, but on the rare occasions that I do, it’s so nice to be able to just grab the leftovers to defrost and have that warming meal when I’m tired, or coming off of a very full day.
And here is my favorite soup recipe ever that my sweet friend’s mom, Ms. Diane, created. I return to this soup again and again, and it’s so simple yet SO flavorful!
Warming Acorn Squash Vegetable Soup
Serves: 6-8
Ingredients
32 ounces vegetable broth
4 large carrots, chopped
1/3 cup broccoli florets, chopped
2 small acorn squash, peeled and chopped
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
half a can of light coconut milk
sea salt to taste
Sunflower seeds
Avocado
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the acorn squash and sweet potatoes on a large greased baking dish and roast for 1 hour.
Add the broccoli and carrots with the sweet potatoes and acorn squash and continue roasting for 30-40 more minutes, or until all the vegetables are tender and can easily be pierced with a fork.
Place the vegetables into a high-powered blender (like Blendtec or Vitamix) and pour the coconut milk and vegetable broth in as well. Blend on high until the soup is creamy and fully pureed. Add salt to taste.
Pour into a crockpot to keep warm, and serve topped with sunflower seeds and avocado slices.
Go somewhere quintessentially winter
I notice that typically mid-January or early-February I’ll begin to feel this disdain for winter. I’ll get tired of wearing so many clothes, and miss the warmth a bit. One way that I love to get re-invigorated is by going somewhere or doing something quintessentially winter. This may look like signing up for a wreath-making class, or booking a trip to a snowy place. I just love to immerse myself in the season and lean in when it starts to get tiring, so that I can discover a newfound love for it that will carry me until spring.
Make a yule altar
Yule is a pagan holiday that occurs between the winter solstice and the beginning of the next solar year. I love to work with the energy of altars, and one of my favorite ways of bringing winter in is by crafting an altar specifically for the yule season (December 21st to January 1st). I’ll put things like cranberries, pine needles, pinecones, lights, and anything that represents winter for me. Then, when I’m doing my morning routine or taking a minute to myself, I’ll journal on the energy of winter, make offerings to my altar by adding more to it or pull a tarot card that represents this time and leave it on the altar. It can be as ‘woo woo’ as that or as simple as a visual representation of winter for your family to enjoy.
Turn inward, plan, embrace the darkness, and dive into some journal prompts for reflection
There is such a strong energy of winter that is focused on inward energy. I think of hibernating, of focusing on ourselves, of letting our old selves die so we can be rebirthed in the new year. I LOVE to journal during this time of year and really reflect on the past year by thinking about what worked and what didn’t, what I want to continue moving towards and what I want to let fall away. A few journal prompts for you to consider are:
What am I making space for in the new year?
What do I need to “burn” and let go of?
What word would best describe my past year, and what word am I wanting to embrace in the new year?
How can I embody the energy of what I want to bring in?
In what ways can I rest and replenish myself?
Revisit old hobbies or start a new one
I find that during all this inward time, it’s great to revisit old hobbies we may have abandoned or step into trying something new. Knitting is my long-time favorite hobby and while I’m not amazing at it, the joy it brings me is well worth the effort. So often as adults, we forget to play and make time to do things that don’t just give us a monetary reward. During this season, try something new or go back to something that made you happy as a kid, and see how much fulfillment it can bring to your life.
Have a spa day *with a sauna*
A sauna is mandatory for winter spa days. One of my favorite luxurious self-care things to do during these months is to plan a day trip to the spa, get a massage, and then spend a few hours in the hot tubs and sauna. It’s so nice to get really warm when it’s cold outside, and is a great way to relax. I always feel so inspired after taking time for me.
Read books
And finally, the classic slow living winter activity: reading. There is something magical about curling up on the couch under a big blanket (maybe one you’ve knit?) and a great book. I’m currently reading Fourth Flame, and am so excited to unplug for a couple of days and dive into it fully. What’s on your reading list for winter? If you’d like some slow living reading inspiration…
I hope this season brings you renewed energy, clarity, and a beautiful perspective on the magic that winter holds.
I love these activities! So hard to wear sweaters in Florida where I am too haha. I do have a wool plaid blazer I wear that helps me channel winter vibes at least.
I’m all in on candles and gazing at the moment. And I just baked Christmas cookies. 🥰
Tomorrow I’ll dig into your journal prompts ✨