For years, winter felt like an uphill battle. As the days got shorter and darker, I felt myself sinking into a fog of exhaustion and sadness. Seasonal depression weighed heavy on me, and I spent many winters simply trying to survive.
Two years ago, I decided to approach winter differently. Instead of fighting against the season, I started leaning into its rhythms and experimenting with alternative practices to make the dark months feel a little lighter. It wasn’t a magic fix, but these shifts helped me find moments of peace and connection in what had always felt like a cold, lonely time.
Here’s what worked for me—and maybe some of these ideas will resonate with you, too.
1. Lean Into Winter’s Slowness
I used to fight against winter, pushing through with the same busy schedule I kept in the summer. Eventually, I realized that winter isn’t a time for constant activity—it’s a time for rest and stillness.
What I Did:
I slowed down my schedule, choosing quiet nights over-packed social calendars.
I created small, cozy rituals: sipping tea, journaling, or simply sitting in silence by candlelight.
What It Taught Me: Embracing winter’s quiet energy helped me feel less resistance and more ease. Rest became something to look forward to instead of something to fight against.
2. Take Vitamin D Supplements
This one might not sound groundbreaking, but it made a huge difference for me. Winters meant less sunlight, and that lack of vitamin D affected both my energy and my mood. I have critically low "D" levels, so, unfortunately, the over-the-counter stuff just doesn't cut it.
What I Did:
I started taking a daily vitamin D supplement, as recommended by my doctor.
I also made it a point to get outside when the sun was shining, even if it was just for a few minutes.
What It Taught Me: Paying attention to my body’s needs gave me a sense of agency. I couldn’t control the weather, but I could support myself through it.
3. Create a Seasonal Altar
As someone who connects deeply with spiritual practices, creating a seasonal altar became a meaningful way to honor the beauty of winter.
What I Did:
I collected winter-themed items like evergreen sprigs, pinecones, and warm candles.
I added crystals that felt calming and grounding, like clear quartz and smoky quartz.
Each evening, I spent a few moments at the altar reflecting on the day or setting small intentions.
What It Taught Me: This practice gave me a sense of connection to something larger than myself and helped me see winter as a season of transformation instead of stagnation.
4. Plan Something to Look Forward To
I realized that having something to anticipate—even if it was small—helped shift my mindset. For me, the first thing was something as simple as a salt soak bath.
What I Did:
I planned little things, like a movie night at home or trying a new recipe.
I also gave myself a bigger project to focus on, like redecorating a corner of my home or saving up for a spring trip.
What It Taught Me: Having something on the horizon, no matter how small, reminded me that winter is just one chapter of the year—it’s not forever.
5. Build a Winter Survival Kit
This started as a fun experiment and turned into one of my favorite practices. I put together a kit of things that brought me comfort and joy.
What I Did:
I included cozy items like fuzzy socks, a warm blanket, and my favorite tea.
I added fun things like a book I’d been meaning to read, a candle that smelled like pine, and a few pieces of dark chocolate.
What It Taught Me: Having a little box of comfort on hand gave me something to turn to on the tough days. It was like a hug in a box.
6. Reflect on the Year with Tarot
Tarot became a way for me to process my emotions during the darker months. I found it comforting to spend time reflecting on what the year had taught me and what I wanted to focus on moving forward.
What I Did:
I pulled three cards for reflection:
What did this year teach me?
What am I ready to release?
What energy do I want to invite into the next year?
What It Taught Me: This practice gave me clarity and helped me feel a sense of control over my own narrative.
Winter Is What You Make of It
I’m not here to promise that these practices will make winter easy or that you’ll suddenly love the season. But I can say that shifting my approach has helped me find moments of peace and connection during a time that used to feel so heavy. If winter has always been tough for you, maybe one or two of these ideas will resonate. Or maybe you’ll find your own ways to make the season feel a little brighter.
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