Six ways to support yourself this winter
Looking closely when you’re out will help bring you present and out of your head…
The other day a friend mentioned how much happier she is now that the days are getting longer - she said the fact that it’s light at 4pm is making a real difference to her sense of wellbeing. And I was interested, not because I’m not enjoying the slightly longer daylight but because I hadn’t consciously clocked it. Which is a surprise.
A welcome surprise actually as usually winter is a time of real endurance for me and this suggests that I’ve had a better winter than usual. Which, when I take a moment to think about it, I have and I don’t think it’s just because it’s been so mild this year so far.
No. I think it’s because I’ve been taking action on my own behalf and it’s worked. So I thought I’d share with you the, mostly small, actions I’ve been taking.
one: Lighting a candle every day on the table in our rather dark kitchen and taken a moment to pause, look at the flame and, often, set an intention.
This has been a revelation for me - I really get that this is not rocket science and people often talk about what a difference it can make - and, because I’ve been really methodical- for the most part as I’m never perfect - I’ve found that it really does. I’ve used either a lovely beeswax stumpy candle in a pretty porcelain holder or a delicious scented one called Comfort and Joy from The Smallest Light. . And both have brought light to the gloom so that I’ve discovered that a flame is a delight and essential on a grey day.
two: Adjusting my mindset. I took myself to the lovely Creative Countryside* Autumn Gathering in November which focused on celebrating the upcoming dark. There I heard the wonderful Tiffany Francis (Dark Skies, published by Bloomsbury) talking about her relationship with the dark and her night-time adventures which it obviously had an impact as I’ve felt my relationship with the dark change - I’m more interested and less negative now I think.
I’m also doing a course called ‘A Seasonal Year’ at the moment which is about supporting ourselves to work, and live, in tune with the seasons and so am part of a lovely group of like-minded women. Which is wonderful - I know I’m not alone in finding winter difficult and in looking for the best way to support my entrepreneural endeavours - and exchanging ideas and supporting each other is a joy.
three: Growing amaryllis bulbs. Again, not rocket science and I’ve done it before but this year I simply stood the bulb on the rim of a vase so that it’s roots touched the water but not the bulb inself (to prevent it rotting) and it’s been AMAZING and incredibly easy.
There is something about seeing that very first touch of green (so full of hope and promise in the otherwise depths of winter) appear through the papery brown outer coating and so quickly become leaves and a bud, with the then rapid growth which is extraordinary and the flowers which were gorgeous all through Xmas.
The first batch of flowers - 6 heads atop two stems, have finished now and I’ve cut off the stems but there is still a bud coming on each of my bulbs so I’m excited to see what that becomes. It’s too late to start them off now but how about signing up to the Farmer Gracy’s mailing list to get reminded in the future. As for me - I’m going to keep and feed my bulbs in the greenhouse and see if I can’t get them growing again next winter - flowers for free.
I also grew white scented narcissus in soil which were lovely but somehow didn’t give me quite such pleasure - I’m not sure why and will give them another go next year.
four: Wrapping up warm, protected from the rain, and getting out anyway, whatever the weather - well not quite as Milly is really not keen. But I have really worked at not letting the weather stop me getting outside, as early as possible in the day. And, if I’ve not got our first thing, avoiding the pressuring perfectionism that says its too late and the day is spoiled and I’ve got too much to do, and go out anyway - when I first think of it. Not giving myself time really to think myself out of it. Which is a big thing for me as I’m a big thinker!
five: Buying in the most gorgeous white hyacinth bulbs. Usually I’m too proud to buy hyacinths - thinking I should have grown them myself, or being snobby about them (I’m not so keen on the purple and pink ones), so not giving myself the pleasure that comes from having bright green and white flowers around which smell delicious. But this year I spotted a pot on Xmas Eve and bought them.
And taking it a stage further by removing them from their plastic pot and repotting them in a lovely bowl - I used a round based china salad bowl, putting a three inch layer of gravel at the bottom first and then tucking soil around to fill in the gap. Then, the best bit and a tip I’ve nicked from a friend - I got out my garden rake and raked at a patch of moss in the lawn - it was a revelation producing great handfuls of light, soft and fragrant moss to blanket across the top and cover the soil. A few dainty well branched twigs finished the display and I’ve enjoyed it for weeks - making sure that I cut off the dying heads and little individual flowers as they turned brown.
six: Oh - and I’ve been methodically taking Vitamin D every day as advised by the doctor and drinking more water. Can’t be sure but I think that’s helped too.
So - there you have it. Simple actions which have added up to a huge difference in how I feel. How about taking small actions to support yourself and seeing what a difference it can make?
I promise you it’s worth it and there’s still weeks of winter left!
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