Thank you, I'm glad it resonated :-) Morning rituals are great for setting the tone and intentions for the day. It feels like this is even more important in winter.
Gorgeous article. I winter in similar ways to you and whereas some idealise taking two months off in the summer, give me the chance to take two months of in winter to just rest and potter and be - bliss! I light candles at breakfast, I plan hearty and nourishing meals, I go to bed about an hour earlier than in spring and summer, I make sure there are blankets all over the house and I read books set in winter too.
Thank you, Sarah :-) Very happy to hear about your love of taking two months off in the winter—me too! It's a relief to know that not everyone lives for the summer. I used to feel so strange for liking winter when everyone seemed to be waiting for the hot months. It's only in recent years that I've met more like-minded people. It's lovely to hear how you also enjoy the cosy season! Happy January and all it's hunkering down :-)
Thank you for this. I am finding this Winter particularly hard as there has been massive upheaval and stress this year and particularly this past 4 weeks. However, a big change is now taking place which I feel will facilitate the next moves we make to enable us to hopefully find our peace. Your post has reminded me I need to take care of myself and pause and breath.
Thank you Suzanne. It definitely seems to take more effort to look after ourselves in winter. There's no getting away from the starkness, and it feels much harder to do when there's less light and less warmth to help us along with it. In some ways I think it really is an act of love. I hope you find some joyful, peaceful and cosy moments to help you through.
Love these tips - I’ll be writing my own winter manifesto, thank you for the inspiration. One thing I did this year to help me cope with the cold is bought a heated scarf and coat! I love them so much 😂
Hi Nat, thank you, I'm glad you like them! The heated scarf and coat sound wonderful, I can feel the warmth just thinking about them. Sounds like a glorious cocoon of cosy, I must google them!
I adore *gestures widely* aaalllll of these things too! This is my first January, after making baby steps in recent years, where I'm really starting to loosen my grip and embrace the dark and the cold and the cosy. Especially as you say after the glitz of December (shudder!) Gorgeous, Jo.
I'm really glad it resonated with you Luisa, thank you :-) And I hope January feels a bit kinder than it did a few years ago. There's some incredible, subtle beauty around at this time of year, plus cosying up is such a delight for the whole body. I hope Monty is enjoying sharing the warmth too. Xx
It only felt right to listen to the voiceover for this, whilst hunkered down in bed this early Sunday eve! If only I had some spiced hot chocolate to perfect the comfort…
Beautiful. I recognise lots of the rituals you mentioned. I am usually in a creative frame of mind in winter. I like to stay indoors mostly. I wear woolly hats even indoors and have tea in bed on cold mornings.
Thank you, Claire. That's interesting what you say about being in a creative frame of mind in winter. I have felt that too. It's like there's more space somehow; the 'current' flows differently...
Beautiful words, I love the idea of having a winter ceremony, especially one that starts with a kettle and candles.
Thank you, I'm glad it resonated :-) Morning rituals are great for setting the tone and intentions for the day. It feels like this is even more important in winter.
Gorgeous article. I winter in similar ways to you and whereas some idealise taking two months off in the summer, give me the chance to take two months of in winter to just rest and potter and be - bliss! I light candles at breakfast, I plan hearty and nourishing meals, I go to bed about an hour earlier than in spring and summer, I make sure there are blankets all over the house and I read books set in winter too.
Thank you, Sarah :-) Very happy to hear about your love of taking two months off in the winter—me too! It's a relief to know that not everyone lives for the summer. I used to feel so strange for liking winter when everyone seemed to be waiting for the hot months. It's only in recent years that I've met more like-minded people. It's lovely to hear how you also enjoy the cosy season! Happy January and all it's hunkering down :-)
Beautiful words Jo. I felt myself nodding to each of your reminders. "It starts with a boiled kettle". What a perfect start 💖
Thank you Debbie :-) I'm glad it resonated. I hope you've found some toasty and calm moments in this cold snap.
Thank you for this. I am finding this Winter particularly hard as there has been massive upheaval and stress this year and particularly this past 4 weeks. However, a big change is now taking place which I feel will facilitate the next moves we make to enable us to hopefully find our peace. Your post has reminded me I need to take care of myself and pause and breath.
Thank you Suzanne. It definitely seems to take more effort to look after ourselves in winter. There's no getting away from the starkness, and it feels much harder to do when there's less light and less warmth to help us along with it. In some ways I think it really is an act of love. I hope you find some joyful, peaceful and cosy moments to help you through.
An excellent recipe. Thanks for sharing it Jo.
Thank you Michela :-) You're welcome. I hope you're staying nice and toasty up in NE Scotland.
Friday night saw -17C 🥶 Jo, so plenty of layers required! Now quite balmy, but less picturesque.
That was verging on Arctic! Glad it's a bit milder now.
Love these tips - I’ll be writing my own winter manifesto, thank you for the inspiration. One thing I did this year to help me cope with the cold is bought a heated scarf and coat! I love them so much 😂
Hi Nat, thank you, I'm glad you like them! The heated scarf and coat sound wonderful, I can feel the warmth just thinking about them. Sounds like a glorious cocoon of cosy, I must google them!
Yeah do, they’re a game changer 🙌🏻
I adore *gestures widely* aaalllll of these things too! This is my first January, after making baby steps in recent years, where I'm really starting to loosen my grip and embrace the dark and the cold and the cosy. Especially as you say after the glitz of December (shudder!) Gorgeous, Jo.
I'm really glad it resonated with you Luisa, thank you :-) And I hope January feels a bit kinder than it did a few years ago. There's some incredible, subtle beauty around at this time of year, plus cosying up is such a delight for the whole body. I hope Monty is enjoying sharing the warmth too. Xx
It only felt right to listen to the voiceover for this, whilst hunkered down in bed this early Sunday eve! If only I had some spiced hot chocolate to perfect the comfort…
Thanks for listening love! :-) And I hope you've made yourself some hot choc! Big kisses to M xxxx
Beautiful. I recognise lots of the rituals you mentioned. I am usually in a creative frame of mind in winter. I like to stay indoors mostly. I wear woolly hats even indoors and have tea in bed on cold mornings.
Thank you, Claire. That's interesting what you say about being in a creative frame of mind in winter. I have felt that too. It's like there's more space somehow; the 'current' flows differently...
I hope you stay toasty and inspired :-)