Learning to Work With Winter, Not Against It

I’ve never really liked winter.

For years I simply put it down to preferring sunshine over rain and warmth over layers of jerseys and jackets. But the older I get, the more I realise that my relationship with winter probably started way back in primary school.

I can still remember walking to school in one of those flimsy 80s raincoats that seemed to let just enough rain through to leave you damp for the rest of the day. My socks were often wet, my blazer never seemed to dry properly and I’d sit in class trying to warm up while wishing I was anywhere else. Winter also brought the inevitable coughs, colds and flu, and the school holidays often felt a little lonely because many of my friends went away with their families while ours preferred to holiday during the warmer months.

For most of my adult life, though, winter wasn’t something I gave much thought to. I was working, raising children and juggling all the responsibilities that come with family life. There simply wasn’t time to stop and analyse how I felt about a particular season. Yes, rainy days made traffic a nightmare and there were always a few more germs doing the rounds, but winter came and went each year without causing too much disruption.

It was only after leaving corporate life and beginning to work from home on our plot on the West Coast that I really noticed how much winter affects me.

Life on a smallholding is wonderful, but winter certainly has a way of testing your patience. There are muddy floors that never seem to stay clean for more than five minutes, pets that somehow manage to bring the outdoors inside, freezing early mornings that make getting out of bed feel like an Olympic sport, and enough layers of clothing to make you wonder if you’ll ever feel warm again.

I’ve also noticed that my mood changes during winter. I wouldn’t describe it even as seasonal depression, but I definitely feel flatter, less motivated and, if I’m being completely honest, a little grumpier than normal. Those who know me will tell you I’m generally a positive person, so when I notice that shift, I’ve learnt not to ignore it.

Last year, life forced me to slow down. After everything that happened with being financially defrauded, my health and stress levels meant I simply didn’t have the emotional energy to keep pushing through. At the time, I thought I was stepping back because I needed to recover, but looking back, I realise I also gave myself something I hadn’t intentionally done before. I gave myself permission to work differently during winter.

That lesson stayed with me and so this year I decided not to fight the season. Instead of expecting myself to maintain the same pace throughout the year, I’ve embraced a slower winter. That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped working. Far from it. It simply means I’ve changed the type of work I’m doing.

I’ve spent more time thinking than doing. I’ve worked on planning and strategy, tackled personal projects that have been sitting on my list for months, baked a little more, cooked more interesting meals, enjoyed a short trip away and even spent time helping my husband with the exciting new business venture he’s become involved in. It’s still been productive, but without the constant pressure of deadlines and expectations and the difference has been remarkable.

Instead of feeling guilty for slowing down, I’ve started appreciating what winter is actually good for. It’s the perfect season for tying up loose ends, organising ideas, refining plans and preparing for what’s ahead. The work still gets done, but it happens in a way that matches my energy instead of constantly fighting against it.

We’re also now past the shortest day of the year, and I find myself noticing the little signs that spring isn’t too far away. The afternoons are stretching out, the sun feels warmer when it appears and I’m making a point of stepping outside whenever I can to enjoy those precious patches of winter sunshine. My afternoon rest, with the sun pouring onto my feet is just the best!

September always feels like someone flicks a switch in our household. Family birthdays start rolling in, my VA work begins getting busier again and before long, Christmas markets are filling the calendar. One of the highlights I’m especially looking forward to is the return of our monthly Morningstar Car Boot Sales. After the quieter winter months, it’s exciting to know that our little community will soon be gathering again, treasures will be changing hands, and the buzz of another market season will be back. There’s something incredibly satisfying about seeing people clearing out their homes, making a little extra money and giving pre-loved items a second life.

Perhaps that’s why I’ve stopped feeling guilty about taking winter at a gentler pace. Nature rests during winter. Trees don’t apologise for losing their leaves, and gardens don’t bloom every single month of the year. They rest, recover and prepare for the season that’s coming next – and maybe we should to do the same.

For me, winter has become less about surviving the cold and more about creating the space to think, plan and reset. It allows me to recharge before the wonderfully busy months arrive, and I’ve realised that’s not laziness. It’s wisdom.

So while I’ll probably never become someone who eagerly counts down to winter, I am learning to appreciate what this season offers. It has its own purpose, just as every season does.

And if I’m completely honest… I’m more than ready for spring.