A Tropical Girl
Learning to appreciate Winter
If you are anything like me, you love summer. The warmth, the long days, the glow on your skin, the freedom of being outside; it all feels natural.
But just as the Earth changes with every season, we are also capable of adjusting.
I know, I know. That is easier said than done. But at the end of 2024, I made up my mind to enjoy the other seasons too. Maybe not quite as much as summer 😉, but I decided to make the effort.
It started with saying the intention out loud and starting to gather experience in what works and what does not.
So, the list below is what I have been doing for a year now.
This is going to be my second year, so I wonder if I am going to follow the exact same steps or adjust them a bit.
Filling my solar cup during summer
what I noticed worked well for was me being outside as much as possible during the summer & meet up with people. The vibe is already there, so I go where the sun is.
Last year, I was in Mexico & this year in Spain (see postThe sun there was blazing hot. I even got tanned. I allowed my body to glow and my beautiful skin to shine.
This summer, I did not travel outside of Europe, but the Netherlands had some good summer days & I hang out with the family. . So, going out, engaging in activities, The city.. that is how I fill my solar cup, so that when autumn and winter arrive, I feel more prepared and still have some of the warmth within me.
Comfort Is the Assignment
Winter is when nature rests. So being in alignment with nature is the path of least resistance, and I notice that this is the best way for me to enjoy it.
Even though sometimes I feel some resistance because I think I should be doing something. But this is all part of the journey.
My home becomes especially important during the colder months. It has to feel like a place that gives warmth, softness & comfort.
So I have a few non-negotiables that really help me stay comfortable.
An extra heater to warm the space intentionally. This especially helps in smaller spaces. I have a duo combo. It is a fan for the warmer months and a heater for the colder months. Best purchase ever. I sometimes do not even turn on the main heating in my bedroom. Only this compact heater.
Extra fleece blankets. This is something that I have always had. Double sheets, extra blankets, summer or winter. But it is especially nice during winter, when it is cold and you slip underneath the blankets. It is like a reborn feeling.
I am a tea girl, so in any season I enjoy tea, but during winter it is my go-to drink. I like to play around with different spices that create warmth, like homemade chai latte, or make it feel tropical with mint, different citruses & ginger.
At the moment, I have lots of detox teas, so I am looking forward to going shopping for some comfort teas and rearranging my tea cabinet. I love to get my tea at Pit & Pit (https://nl.pit-pit.com). They have some good organic teas.
Experimenting with creative soups
So, this is a new one for me. I love soups. They are nurturing, warm, taste really good and are easy on the stomach. Last year, I did not have this idea. I mean, I did make a few soups, but since I am adjusting the way I approach food and it is winter, I want to explore soup.
So, soup season, here I come. I might make a blog about this :)
Extra candles for warmth and atmosphere
Candles do more than create a beautiful mood. When several are burning safely, they bring a sense of warmth and ritual into the room. Winter does not have to feel lifeless. Your home can become its own little sun.
A comfortable place to read, journal, or rest.
This is the art, or sweetness, of doing nothing. Winter Edition. The Italians would say... il dolce far niente.
Nature is resting, the days are short, and the nights are long. Those are the moments I am looking forward to: creating the coziest spot to read, journal, sit and enjoy a cup of tea, or take a nap. And sometimes I also like to find a spot outside the house. One of my favorite places last year was The Cafe of Orchide house (https://orchid-house.nl/en/orchid-cafe-en/
Cute, But Make It Warm
I learned the hard way that good winter clothing is not frivolous.
Having a winter coat, gloves & a scarf seems obvious, but at times, even those weren't enough. My feet and hands would still feel like they were dying.
And then there is layering.
It is not exactly a wardrobe essential, but rather a way of dressing that I am only now getting accustomed to. I know layering is nothing new, but learning how to layer while keeping it cute and warm is something I am particularly looking forward to exploring.
So I made a conscious decision to slowly invest in a few more winter wardrobe essentials that would help me stay warm and make layering easier:
Thermal shirts, leggings & wool/winter socks
Winter boots
Winter hats
The list is still evolving, so maybe this year I'll discover a few more essentials.
Meet the Sun Somewhere Else(Optional)
For me, this is one of the most exciting things to do, even though it is optional.
I have not been able to do this every year. But going to the sun during winter (December to April) is like giving myself a treat.
I live in the Netherlands, so going to Portugal, Spain, or Italy for a few days is not a long distance, and it can offer a welcome moment of light and warmth.
Last year, I went to Barcelona. It was 16 degrees and sunny.
(See my post : I Came for the Winter Sun, Barcelona Was the Ignition)
I now see it as an investment in my wellbeing and also a beautiful reminder that winter does not have to mean waiting passively for the warmth to come again.Even a short trip can help you recharge, reset, and return home with a little more light in your body.
Give the Season Its Own Pleasures
For me, the winter months are from November/December to March/April.
As much as I stated that I want to rest as much as possible, during these months I still want to do something inside or outside the house.
So I intentionally look for experiences I can look forward to instead of building my winter only around enduring the cold.
Ideas:
Homemade tea rituals
Massages
Floating & red-light therapy
Museum or café dates
Taking a stroll in the park.
I do not want to force myself to enjoy winter or suddenly become someone who loves cold, darkness and rain. The goal is to discover what winter can offer that summer cannot.
Summer invites us outward. Winter calls us home, to our space, our bodies, our inner world, and the quieter forms of pleasure.
It is about learning how to care for yourself inside a different rhythm. That is rest and a slow flow, so I want to stay excited about trying different things.
I will probably always be a tropical girl. But I no longer want to spend half the year resisting the Earth. I want to learn how to meet every season; and allow every season to meet a different version of me.
And somehow, this year, I am looking forward to the autumn and winter days... I hope it snows.
And let’s be honest: Winter still gives us the occasional sunny day. When it does, you will see me outside.
I am actually curious if you have any winter-proof tips & rituals. If you read this post and you want to share it, post it on your socials and tag me in it.
Happy Winter Solstice & see you in my next story!
Signed with love,
Abigail
