Wrapping up winter
Final Wintering Slow Read post (Epilogue)
This post is a response to the final section of Wintering by Katherine May (Epilogue Section).
I wasn’t sure where this was going when I decided to do a slow read of this book. I’m so used to carefully curated posts on my feed, but this was different, more raw. Yes, I took a week to soak each section in, but for the most part it was simply my response to what I read, combined with whatever was going on in my life and in the ethos at the time.
So here are my takeaways from this slow ramp up to spring:
I really have embraced winter (the season) in an totally new way. When I lived in Chicago before, I struggled with the cold, dark days. But intentionally crafting my personal rhythms (i.e., rest, creativity, work) has helped. My heart has felt inspired, and the seasonal affective blues stayed away. It’s like I welcomed winter as a friend, and while it is time for her to be on her merry way, I look fondly on our time together.
I’m fortunate to have my own business, so I’m able to set my own rhythms at work. It would be hard to walk up to an employer and say, “Sorry. I didn’t finish that assignment because I’m wintering.” But there’s a tough side to it, too. As an entrepreneur, I wear every hat, and if I winter, the entire business winters. So I had to find ways to keep my business alive while maintaining time to rest. This meant seeing existing clients but not taking on any new ones. It meant generating ideas for fun projects without actually starting them (yet). And it meant cutting back on extra curriculars so that I could rest after a client filled day.
I really leaned into my Irish apprenticeship this season. Brigid is my guiding spirit for that container this year, and I was overjoyed to see her show up in this last chapter of the book (p. 258). In Ireland, she’s as revered (if not more so) as St. Patrick, so having her essence so closely woven into my life this year is a blessing. She is the reminder to “emerge slowly from our wintering” (p. 258). And she’s also the patron of the arts, poet-seers, and blacksmiths. Plus, her human counterpart founded a whole co-ed monastery devoted to such things. Everything about her is glorious.
This wintering experiment has also allowed me to find fresh voices out there, sharing their unique perspectives and heart-centered work with the world. In an age where there’s so much copying, stealing, and AI generated knockoffs, it’s nice to see work with soul. And I got to read your takes on the book, which has filled me with immense joy. Keep sending me your thoughts. I also read more of May’s books because I loved her writing so much. Reach out if you want some suggestions.
Finally, I thought I would get way more projects done around the house this winter, but I just found myself writing and reflecting. And I think that’s exactly where I needed to be this season.
It’s been a good few months, but I am ready for spring. I’m already feeling the energy around it, and I’m feeling it around my clients, as well. It’s a feeling of renewal and, as the director of my apprenticeship says, a time to let creative things live without killing them off first. And my dog most certainly likes the warmer days.
What’s next? Well, it’s back to my normal Dr. Kimbology fare—looking at symbols and how they speak wisdom to us in times when we aren’t sure what to do or think. And in April, I’ll be doing another slow read with a friend, so stay tuned for that.
'I’d love to hear how your winters have been, how you enjoyed the book (or not), and how you’re putting your unique soul out into the world. See you next week with some fun new stuff. And thank you to Katherine May for being my winter guide right alongside Brigid. I’m grateful for your words and wisdom on the page.