This winter I have fully submerged myself within the nature cycle of rest, stillness and introspection. Rather than fuelling the societal urge to continue producing I am taking the time to come back to myself and nature–learning to stop, watch and listen.
Traditionally, winter has always been a season of cultivating internal warmth to combat the cold. Crops were at a standstill as the ground froze, people stayed indoors to shield themselves from the biting cold, and when venturing outside, they would wear layers upon layers to generate warmth. This tradition has faded in cities as society “forces” us to be productive year-round, ignoring the natural cycles of life—cycles we often forget we are part of.
In a world fuelled by fast food, endless office tasks, and the addictive scroll of social media, we find ourselves trapped in a relentless pace that not only exhausts our minds but also feeds us physical, emotional, and creative toxins.
I have found that slowing down is an art, and like every other art form is needs practice. Boredom, a feeling many of us have become unaccustomed to, is a key part of this practice. What we often label as “boredom” is actually the gateway to uncovering hidden truths and emotions within ourselves. Boredom inspires us to create, meditate, and cultivate. To truly create, we must delve deep within ourselves to understand what we need to express.
Art, in the broad sense of the world, is now faced with the duality of: the expression via creations versus the pressure to produce. This pressure is amplified by the feelings of inadequacy that come with the constant intake of social media content, making comparisons to others all the more accessible and detrimental.
In the past years I have had a complex relation with art and creation shaped by external expectations and work that intensified these conflicts.
However the stillness Winter has given me the motivation to rewrite this bond with Art. Through these inner meditations, I am beginning to “come out of my shell,” and teach myself what Art means to me, as if I were a friend. Teaching myself the importance of embracing vulnerability and accepting imperfections in Art, just as in life. Gradually, I am rediscovering how to create for the sake of my own expression and fulfilment rather than for external validation or productivity.
Honour winter’s invitation to slow down through your own take on Art, whether it’s journaling, painting, reading, or peaceful nature walks that reconnect you with stillness and creativity.
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