Winter as a Creative Season of Stillness
The days are short and we respond by slowing down for rest and repair. In winter, we find ourselves putting projects on pause and delaying social gatherings to maximize time at home. I am here to remind you that this season of stillness is a wonderful time to nurture your creative side, even if your creative outputs are few. We can embrace our winter energy level as a creative opportunity rather than beating ourselves up for “not getting anything done”. Here’s a few ways we can nurture our creativity during winter:
Focus on creativity rather than productivity. Creativity does not always have to have a tangible output. You do not need to produce anything to be creative. Enjoying a free-flowing series of stretches on a slow morning is creative. Singing silly songs by the fire with your family is creative. Providing a space for a winter gathering for friends is creative. Notice and honor the ways your creativity shines through when there is no project or finished product. Productivity is not a prerequisite for creative expression.
Take time to dream. Reflecting and dreaming provide insight for your creative practice or your next phase. Be open to finding clarity when you have time to slow down and listen to your inner dialogue. You can journal, run ideas by loved ones, or just sit and daydream. Any chance to marinate in ideas and hopes will serve you well when your spring energy rushes in. There is no need to rush into action now, rather trust that the dreaming is a critical stage of any creative work.
Glean inspiration. During winter, we can soak up inspiration all around us, letting it sit in our bodies until spring when we wring out all the juicy goodness. Life provides inspiration daily if you are present to receive it, but there are ways you can intentionally seek inspiration if you’d like. You can switch up your route on a walk or drive to find new sights, start a Pintrest board, read a book that interests you, or ask someone you admire about their journey. Hold onto any inspiration you receive for now, and wait for a time when all the ideas culminate and you are truly ready to dive into a project.
Acknowledge the spontaneous creative expression that winter brings. Our lives bring plenty of opportunity for creativity, and I encourage you to take notice of the unique moments of creativity that occur this winter. For example, you might design and send out holiday cards, tastefully decorate your home, write notes to friends, decorate cookies, cook a new recipe, plan a party, craft a signature cocktail recipe, build a snowman, the list goes on! Give gratitude for those moments of creativity, and savor them when they arise.
Slowing down in winter can be such a gift if we shift away from a productivity mindset and instead dream, get inspired, and embrace the natural creative opportunities that present themselves. This allows us to work with our natural energy cycles and reserve taking action for a time when we have the fervor to take on something new.
