Winter Has Never Been My Season: Embracing the Season Instead of Fighting It

Winter Has Never Been My Season

I know for some, talking about winter can feel taboo (since many of us aren’t ready for what is to come). But with temperatures dropping below zero in my part of the world and Thanksgiving just behind us, it’s hard not to feel it creeping in. The shift is happening, whether we’re ready or not. 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I’m not a natural winter person, and it felt like I dreaded it even more as I got older. 

 The cold gets into my bones, and I don’t spring out of bed ready to hike through the snow. 

Over the last few years, I’ve been paying more attention to the seasonal wheel. Not just the calendar version, but the way energy actually moves through a year. How spring surges, summer burns, fall sheds, and winter slows. Living in rhythm with that cycle doesn’t come naturally when the world runs on artificial light and endless productivity. But nature doesn’t care about deadlines. It slows down anyway.

I’ve learned to slow down with it, at least a little, and to embrace the message that the season offers. 

I won’t pretend I love winter now, but I’ve stopped dreading it. I’ve started respecting it. There’s something powerful about a season that demands we go inward. Something necessary.

That’s the shift: I stopped seeing winter as something to survive and started seeing it as something to design.

Nature Is Efficient

Look at what nature does in winter:

It doesn’t hustle. It doesn’t start new projects. It conserves. It simplifies. It protects what matters and lets everything else fall away.

We’d be wise to take the hint.

Most people hit winter and try to pretend nothing’s changed. They pile on holiday events, deadlines, expectations, and pressure to be “on” when every part of their system is asking for stillness. 

Every year now, before the season turns fully cold, I sit down and make a Winter Bucket List. Not a hustle list. Not a New Year’s goal list. A soul-sustaining list.

It includes small, doable things such as books I want to read, new recipes to try, a favourite movie to rewatch, and even nights where the plan is to watch hockey by the fire. There are new things to do: try a new restaurant, go to a concert, or experiment with watercolour. There's also time with loved ones, whether it's making a meal, baking cookies, or playing cards. And there may be a few bigger things to look forward to, like a trip to the mountains with friends or a warm-weather escape.

The point isn’t just the activities themselves, as many of them will happen anyway. But writing them down and mapping them out gives shape to the season. It breaks up the monotony, brings a sense of rhythm, and helps create intentional moments of connection, coziness, and calm. You can make your own list, but remember: it’s less about checking boxes and more about aligning your time with the feeling you want to carry through the winter.

The point isn’t productivity. The point is presence.

Winter, by Design

This year, what if you stopped trying to push through winter and started planning how you want to sink into it?

 Ask yourself:

What kind of energy do I want to bring into the season?

What are the non-negotiables for my well-being?

What expectations need to be lowered or let go of entirely?

You don’t need to move to a cabin and meditate through snowstorms. You’re still living in the real world, with family dynamics, long work hours, and shopping runs for gift wrap. But if you know winter brings stress, low energy, or overwhelm, don’t let it sneak up on you.

Clear space where you can. Schedule rest on purpose. Say no before your calendar says it for you. Stock your mental shelves with what you actually need: quiet, permission, small pleasures, warmth.

I’ve come to appreciate that winter’s not just a season, it’s an invitation to listen to ourselves. You don’t have to love winter, but there's real peace in building a winter you can live in.

Understanding Your Winter Biology

Winter isn’t just a season; it’s a biological signal that our brains and bodies are wired to respond to.

• Shorter daylight hours reduce serotonin and increase melatonin, naturally encouraging more rest and introspection.

• Cold temperatures slow down our physical systems, which can lower inflammation and signal a need to conserve energy.

• Following seasonal rhythms, such as simplifying routines or embracing stillness, can help reduce burnout, improve sleep, and support long-term mental clarity. 

When we stop fighting winter and start syncing with it, our whole system thanks us - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

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If we haven’t met before, I’m Shawna Campbell, a Life Coach on a mission to help you change your mind to change your life. Learn more about me and what I do at www.shawnacampbell.com

If you want to talk about how we can work together, contact me today and we can schedule your free consultation.

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