Growing up, I dreaded the cold, short, dreary days of December. I hated the layers of bulky sweaters, coats, gloves, and hats. I was convinced I had Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, winter blues, or seasonal depression. I spent more time thinking about how miserable I was than actually trying to do something about it—and I pretty much continued along that path well into my adult years. I even had my friends thinking they were seasonally depressed, too!

It’s true when they say we learn so much through our children. When mine began studying Greek mythology in school, I would sit and read the ancient stories with them. When we came across the tale of Persephone, something inside me clicked! I was deeply moved by how she compromised her life by living half the year above the earth and half the year below it. It was a bittersweet sacrifice that shed new light on winter for me. I was rewired to look at it in a different way.

Winter gives Mother Nature a chance to rest, to hibernate. To take a break from growing and flourishing externally while nurturing the seeds for new growth internally. Not unlike what many of us try to achieve in our own lives: to sit, to be still and present in the moment. This allows us to nurture our seeds so they can grow.

And so today I have a new outlook on winter. It’s a time to chill (both literally and figuratively), to go within, to hibernate, rest, and nurture myself in ways I don’t normally do throughout the year. Winter is meant for hot chocolate, sitting by a fire with friends, sleigh riding, skiing, and skating. It also allows me to spend more time indoors catching up on what I’ve left undone all summer, such as cleaning out closets and organizing myself and my home.

This winter, allow yourself to find a deeper meaning and appreciation for what its purpose is in your life. That may open a whole new world of possibilities for you.

Happy Winter!

Rose Caiola
Inspired. Rewired.

Find Out More

• “Winter Depression Not As Common As Many Think,” Science Daily