I am not a winter person. There are lots of people who look forward to snow, skiing and sledding but that’s not me. Spring and summer are seasons that motivate me to be outdoors, swimming, the beach, boating, the list goes on and on.
These cold, often grey days of winter find me warm and cozy inside working, exercising and reading a book along with a cup of tea. I’ll invite friends to the house, hoping they prefer the winter and then I don’t have to bundle up and go outside. But bundle up I do daily, layering clothing to insulate me from the weather and the guilt trip my dogs elicit by whining for a walk.
Even if it’s dog guilt that motivates me, I’ll override the inclination to stay comfy indoors the entire day, knowing a walk is healthy for all of us. Grateful I don’t live further north, it’s bracing but invigorating to get outside until my fingers tell me otherwise. Even the dogs appreciate a few winter sniffs along a new route and invariably I’ll have a few brief chats with fellow dog owners. But truthfully, coming home again is my favorite part.
While braving the cold and walking the dogs, a neighbor getting her mail shared how bothered she was about the weather, work and world affairs. I’m glad I could be there to listen and hope it helped her. I followed up with an invitation to come over for dinner, possibly helping her winter blues loosen its icy grip.
This winter I’ve been exploring MainLine Neighbors weekly listing of area events and places nearby. I look through the list and make note of some that are interesting and fit my schedule, although participating means leaving my cocoon. I’m always surprised at how much is going on around the Main Line in winter: concerts, art openings, lectures, book groups, even an indoor flea market. Often, friends join me, brightening these cold, dark winter days, together experiencing something new close to home.
Sometimes, getting outside or discovering a new activity isn’t enough. My neighbor made me think of other people who can’t be outdoors and may need to talk, for whom winter means isolation.
There are free, confidential local services to listen and provide additional support to help navigate a path through the darker days. This isn’t the only season these aptly titled warmlines, compassionate listening services are available. But they can be an especially bright light during winter days when spring feels like it may not come around again.
Making the most of winter,
Jane