Ritually Winter

Photo by Kira auf der Heide on Unsplash

My winter hygge ritual list:

1. Light candles with the girls during school time. So far we haven’t done this everyday, but it has been a fun way to enchant schoolwork and I have been wanting to light candles more often anyway. Expanding the candles to dinnertime as well, or having one dinner a week entirely by candlelight would be a nice addition to consider.

2. Leave the Christmas lights up. I always enjoy taking my time putting decorations away after the holidays, but this year I have been not at all motivated to take down the lights and mantle display, they just look too fun and cozy. I am officially giving myself permission to enchant my winter with holiday decor.

3. Normalize having two cups of coffee or tea per day. I often feel bad having an afternoon “pick-me-up” cup, but I’ve decided not to. I’ve been including more decaffeinated options recently, which takes the guilt out of it anyway. If I want a cozy midday cup, I’ll have it. And maybe one more in the evening.

4. Watch more movies. I tend to think of movies and tv shows as “junk food” entertainment, but that’s really not fair. We watch a lot of good, deep shows and movies…and there’s also nothing wrong with curling up with something light and fun. I really love movies and good shows, and it’s been fun watching more. Recently, my husband and I have been rewatching “Longmire” (a modern Western and one of our favorites), and just got back into “The Outlander” (based on the books) which is rather gritty but cinematically superb. After that, we’re planning a rewatch of The Lord of the Rings, because that’s never a bad idea.

5. All. The. Blankets. Last year I finished a lovely pine-trees-in-the-snow-themed lap blanket that has been my favorite for curling up on the couch. This year I’m making an identical one as a gift, working on it while helping the girls with school and in the evenings. I love crocheting blankets in the winter because as they grow they help keep me warm as well as occupied. It’s a winter coziness win-win.

6. Moon rituals. While this is something I would like to continue all year, winter can make me feel disconnected from the natural world because I’m not outside as much. Paying special attention to the phase of the moon and working rituals around the full and new moon has really helped me stay grounded this winter. Plus, ritual work serves to both enchant life and empower me, which boosts my spirits when I’m feeling blah.

7. Sleep. I’ve always needed more sleep than I feel I “should” need, and my tendency to sleep in has often resulted in feelings of shame for being “lazy” and unproductive. This year I have been actively pushing back against those internalized stigmas and championing my need for extra sleep. I love my bed. I love my weighted blanket and my body pillow and my fuzzy flannel sheets. I can let myself spend more time there.

8. Internalize the idea of “maintenance” as self-care. In her book, How To Winter, Dr. Kari Leibowitz discusses the natural cycles of growth and maintenance that the rest of the natural world takes for granted. Winter, she argues, is a time for maintenance. Don’t start the new thing. Don’t push to be productive. Draw back, maintain, rebuild your reserves for the coming growing season. It’s been my new favorite concept.