A lighthearted entry to lift my spirit and reminisce on Winter
Saturday marked my final climb up with my cross-country skis for this season. The weather was beautiful. The warmer February days had softened the snow, creating gentle patterns among the trees and revealing patches of warm grass. Animal prints hinted at their renewed energy. It felt as if nature itself knew I didn’t want to leave. I’d like to stay, please, just a little longer. Let me lie down on your warm grass, bathed in sunlight.
As the day came to a close and I prepared my ski down to catch the bus home, a gentle snow flurry began to fall. I hadn’t seen much falling snow this year, so I took it as another gift from nature. Blessing my departure, knowing I would return.
Winter has always been a special season for me. A fondness passed down through generations. It’s the treasured moment in the year when I get to be back home with my family for a relatively long period of time. I get to enjoy nature, away from the hustle and bustle of the capital, which feels vast yet offers only limited space for truly being. This year, my stay was longer than usual—so much so that some friends began asking, “When are you coming back?” I’d like to tell them, “I’m not,” but perhaps that’s next year’s news.
I spent a good part of the winter planning, writing, and studying for my return to big-city life, which, to my dismay, happened yesterday. The other part of winter opened the doors for outdoor activities and creative endeavours.
It’s still winter, but the weather is starting to warm. The frosty, haloed breaths are fading as the air becomes less pungent. I’ll miss the cold air wake-up, but it will soon give way to the beauty of spring.
My favourite moments this season
This winter, I allowed myself the space to create. My journey through mindfulness unlocked doors within me that had long been shut, enabling me to create without judgment—which was a big reason as to why I had stopped creating years ago
The creativity that burst forth wasn’t limited to drawing and sketching, as it used to be, but expanded across the wide spectrum of art
I picked up the ukulele and started learning to play the guitar
Spending cherished time with my family back home
I continued my yoga asana and pranayama practices. This month, I focused on balance and stillness. I love incorporating inversions within my practice to remind myself that nothing has just one viewpoint and suggest new perspectives.
Cross-country skiing with my dear skis! This is one of my favourite winter sports. It incorporated many of my treasured hobbies: my (healthy) obsession with snow, spending time in the forest, listening to nature…need I go on?
Spending time in the mountain has always been very grounding for me. A safe space where I can shed the various layers built up by the city’s smug and smog.
Starting my own freelance work as a designer and yoga teacher. After years in the corporate design world, I finally own my time.
I stopped using Netflix and streaming platforms. It may seem like a small change, but considering I don’t own a TV, it’s a significant shift in today’s world. Cinemas, here I come!
Pine needle tea
I’m a retired coffee drinker (judgement!), and since then, I’ve found joy in herbs. I’ve always enjoyed using herbs but I never really benefited from them when coffee was still holding the seat of honour.
At home, I enjoy making all kinds of herbal teas and drinks. If I could, I’d spend all my time harvesting. In winter however, there’s little to pick in the area other than pine needles. The forests here are predominantly spruces and pines—still to find pine trees, you often have to hike deeper into the forest.
Most members of the Pinus genus can be used medicinally, but I tend to work with Pinus Sylvestris since it’s common in my area. Other native Pine species include Swiss Pine (Pinus cembra) and Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra, which is less common).
All you need is pine needles, fresh water, lemon, a little bit of honey and ginger :)
Musical mood
This winter, my house was filled with soothing melodies and instruments. After introducing my family to frequency sounds, they now refuse to listen to anything else. I find artists like Chantress Seba, Kelvin Mockingbird, Essie Jain, and Chapelier Fou particularly soothing at the start and end of the day.
The music I listen to deeply reflects my state of mind, and I’m almost embarrassed by how many playlists I’ve created! Indie music always holds a special place in my heart and lately I’ve been listening to a lot (more than usual) of Japanese indie artists like Kaneko Ayano and Ichiko Aoba.
Which songs did you listen to this winter?
What did this winter show you?
Thank you for reading!
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