Winter is upon us

Leisure and rest are closely intertwined. But they are not to be confused with sloth!

Winter is a time when our bodies naturally slow down. When we need more rest. The pace of life gradually dulls as brisk winds blow and snow blankets the earth.

In winter, animals hibernate. It’s a part of their natural cycle of life. However, we hold different expectations for ourselves. We continually push for efficiency and productivity instead of listening to the natural rhythms of our bodies.

photo from Wix media library

This is a reminder not to fight your body as it slows down this winter season. Embrace the small ways you can slow down. Accept that this season won’t look the same as others. Celebrate it.

Winter brings a unique opportunity to practice the true definition of leisure.

“A mental and spiritual attitude – it is not simply the result of spare time, a holiday, a weekend or a vacation. It is, in the first place, an attitude of mind, a condition of the soul and as such utterly contrary to the ideal of…work as activity, as toil, as a social function.” – Josef Pieper (Leisure the Basis of Culture)

This winter train your soul to accept a new condition, one that is opposed to needless exertion, to tireless efforts, to never taking a break.

Winter is an invitation to redefine what work means. As our bodies need more sleep, more food, more moisturizer, and more tender care, reflect on how the same applies to your mind.

This is not an invitation to binge watch holiday movies for a full week. The time and space you spend away from endless tasks must be filled with other restful activities. (If you’re looking for ideas, check out the List of Leisure blog post under "musings").

Celebration is also a large part of what it means to practice the art of leisure. With wintertime also comes Christmas. Celebrating the birth of Christ with family, traditions, and meditation is a simple way to start a leisurely winter.

The holidays don’t have to be hectic. That idea was planted by the same ideologists that convinced you winter must be just the same as all the other seasons. The heart of celebrating the holidays is gathering to feast together, to remember what’s important: family, friends, and faith.

Don’t fear what winter brings. Embrace it. Cozy up with a good book by a crackling fire. Be extra intentional to make Sundays a day of rest. Make your own hot cocoa to drink on the porch while your bundled up. Have grace with your body, your mind, and your soul as winter is upon us.

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P.S. If you're looking for more guidance on how to embrace winter, I would recommend Katherine May's Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times