The Current How to embrace 'wintering'
Jan 23, 2026
Katherine May, author who writes about seasonal rhythms and restorative rest. She explains wintering as a natural period of withdrawal and reflection. She links historical rhythms to modern life and critiques constant productivity. She shares practical rituals—light, sleep, small pauses—and surprising joys like snow and cold-water swims.
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Wintering As Season And State
- Wintering names both the season and an emotional state of withdrawal that can be necessary and restorative.
- Katherine May argues cyclical living restores contemplation, repair, and resilience we lose by forcing constant productivity.
Prepare And Mark The Season
- Prepare for winter by taking practical steps like winterising your home and wardrobe in advance.
- Mark seasonal beats with rituals and small celebrations to break up monotony and sustain morale.
Adapt Light And Sleep Habits
- Drink in all available natural light and use soft artificial light to enjoy winter's quality of light.
- Let sleep patterns shift when possible and resist the one-size-fits-all work schedule that ignores seasonal needs.
