What does Wintering mean?

It conjures log cabin, fire and huskies. But for many of us, especially in cities, I think it first means finding small opportunities to choose a rhythm different to the one that is expected of us.

Tomorrow is Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year. Have you had a chance to consider how you might spend it?

Here are some ways to mark midwinter with just an hour’s space to pause:

• Find a tree - woodland, park avenue, Christmas tree or even a pot of thyme. With phone on flight mode, set a timer to spend 10 minutes with it and its habitat, see how much you start to hear in the ‘silence’. Just an experiment. To listen.

• Journal - free flow or start with these prompts to imagine:

  1. As tree branches that have grown heavy with snowfall, when I shrug my shoulders I feel the weight of _________ fall away.

  2. While I’ve achieved plenty this year, in the quiet I remember some small sparks of big joy-potential. Things that light me up which I might choose to kindle are…

• Dance - with no one watching, even just for one song. Close the door, light a candle, turn off/down the lights, and follow the authority of your body as it flows and makes forms in the darkness. To feel.

Ways to winter with me

1. New year’s women’s circle

Starting Monday 19th January, a small group of up to 7 women will come together from across the world with resolve. In 6 weeks we’ll create a rhythm of possibility and presence for the unfurling year. It will be an antidote, however, to the hustle and self-improvement pressures we find ourselves navigating in January. Instead it will be in harmony with the season and its unique opportunities. A virtual fire to gather round and recharge while the daylight gradually returns. Where we can drop the noise of ‘I should’s, so that the real ‘I might’s and the wholehearted ‘I will’s have room to emerge and take root for the year.

How would you describe the experience in 3 or so words? I asked after our Autumn circle concluded:

“Women, growth, discovery, navigation, grounding, cozy, secure, acceptance, caring, curious, joyful, light”

What a mosaic. If some of these words feel like what you’re looking for, and you’d like to find out more, let’s have a virtual coffee. Or, ping me a question by reply to this email. Wherever you are in the world, I’d love to hear from you.

2. Deep listening massage therapy

“I can't recommend Eloïse highly enough - she brings professionalism along with a calm and grounded presence which supported me to relax and fully appreciate this opportunity to reconnect with myself. The massage I received was wonderful - carefully and thoughtfully thorough; I left feeling lighter and rested; cared for and with greater resolve to continue caring for myself” - Sarah

It’s been such a joy working with clients this year and my practice is growing in many ways - including geographically. You are now warmly welcomed to sessions at the luxurious 1 Warwick by Maslow’s in Soho, in addition to the West London Buddhist Centre in Bayswater.

Leaving you with a thought

What happens when we’re no longer afraid of the dark?

To winter well means investing attention towards the light. In sharper focus thanks to the rich darkness that frames it. I’ve been experimenting with stepping outside within 30 minutes of waking (has made a huge difference to my circadian rhythm, would recommend 🦉) and setting a recurring calendar appointment with sunset. I find myself documenting cloudscapes, dancing shadows, candle flames. How de-light-ful.

So the dissonance of the Black Friday Frenzy really struck me this year. We know that it feeds off our fear of scarcity. The illusion of urgency and competition spiking a neurochemical rush with every acquisition. But I think it also plays on a hope that the darkness will be less daunting if we are armoured with ‘stuff’ to fill any ‘empty space’ in our lives or schedules. 

So what happens if, instead, we make space to let our guard down? Where we can soften into the long nights and listen deeply in the darkness. I wonder if, instead,

we might find ourselves dreaming again,

we might hear deep longings,

we might seek nourishment through connection,

we might feel more. 

So this year, as I’m embarking on an adventure of wintering delightfully, I warmly invite you to join me. 

What brings you delight in winter? What small step brings you in rhythm with the season? I’d love to hear your ideas, as I’m planning to collate a few to share back in January. Like a little treasure hunt for everyday enchantment.

And if we haven’t connected in a while, do feel free to just say ‘hi’, let me know where in the world this finds you. Whether we meet in person or over a virtual coffee, in Women’s Circle or by simple reply to this email (or postcard - my favourite!) I’d love to cross paths with you this season. 

• ADDING TO MY BOOKSHELF: Venetian Empire detailed with flourish by Jan Morris, Rituals for Life compiled with rooted integrity by Isla Macleod

• LISTENING TO: Deep Cover - irresistible unravellings by the compassionate and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jake Halpern. Season 1 is bonkers, 2 was my favourite, 7 is a recent guest feature “Snowball” feat. the journalist’s own family, their Kiwi accents and understated humour in the face of the unexpected.

• LEARNING: at the Tate Modern - more about Aboriginal Art in a beautiful curation of Emily Kam Kngwarray’s work, and about Nigerian Modernism at an exhibition so big we’ve decided to revisit in the new year with snacks. 

I love hearing people’s recommendations, and why something caught their attention (no mean feat these days). If one has popped to mind as you’ve been reading this, do feel free to ping it over!