A could-do list for winter
21 suggestions for the cold & dark season
Happy Wednesday dear ones! In this letter, you’ll learn about…
✍️A few of my favorite self-care activities & routines you could do this winter season
❤️🔥 A short introduction to creating a non-negotiable list
📖 A could-do list for winter
I wrote this letter with those in mind who want to start living a more cyclical and intentional life but find it difficult to translate this into everyday life and the mundane world.
Why self-care?
We care for ourselves daily and most often we do this unconsciously with our autopilot on, for example eating, resting, reading, downtime, etc. These self-care activities create our habits and our habits show us the way we are for ourselves or not.
This is a self-care list based on winter energies, and I advise you to choose a few that ignite something positive inside of you.
If you find it difficult to stick to new habits, start with one and progressively add another until you have your personalized non-negotiable list.
A non-negotiable list is one to three daily activities that energize and lift you up, and you don’t skip them for anything or anyone, ever.
It's important to keep in mind that your non-negotiable list isn’t static. You can change things around according to your mood, energy, menstruation cycle, and other cycles like the moon cycle. So have a look at the list below and feel which one of these suggestions could make it to your non-negotiable list. Then, add them to your calendar and alarm (phone) clocks so you don’t forget to do them daily.
A could-do list for winter
Eat food that grows in the ground. If you eat seasonally and locally, you’ll find that the vegetables from these seasons are those that grow mostly (under) the ground. These are nurturing and grounding foods that reflect the energy of winter.
Eat warm foods. During winter we want to keep warm, so warm foods and soups are great ways to do this.
Keep your body warm. Besides food, it’s important to maintain warm during this season, and this is especially in the case of our head, torso, and feet.
Go for winter discovery walks. Fresh air is always good for our health and this applies to winter as well. If the weather permits it - and especially if the sun is out - go outside and observe what nature is doing. Learning from nature during nature walks is a great way to (re)connect with ourselves too.
Care for your skin. During winter our skin dries up a lot, so grab your favorite moisturizer and apply it gently on your skin after you’ve showered.
Incorporate slow & gentle movements. Think of walks, Yin yoga, body stretch, and slow dancing.
Add more minutes to your sleeping routine. You can read more in the winter energetics, why new year’s resolutions often fail, and reset your life: winter edition letters.
Book a spa day or massage.
Have home spa days. If a spa day isn’t possible, then having a few hours per week just to pamper yourself is a great option.
Connect with your inner bear and hibernate! Not only more sleep is something we would like to add during this season but also withdraw as much as possible from outdoor activities combined with lots of people gatherings.
Incorporate meditation. Meditation is a powerful tool that helps us achieve inner calm among others.
Invite curiosity and learn a new hobby. As you spend more time with yourself during winter, you may have a bit of extra time to indulge yourself in a new slow & calm hobby.
Dare to dream. You can read more on dreaming in my previous letter reset your life: winter edition.
Start journaling. This is one that always applies, no matter the season or the cycle but if you’re on hibernation mode and going inward often, then you may want to record these journeys and epiphanies.
Add this seasonal winter self-care list + your non-negotiables to your journal. And keep reviewing it often.
Have conversations with yourself. Even though I love that meme with “we are mad in here” this is not what I mean by having conversations with yourself. I personally find it extremely healing to have moments where I literally talk to myself while looking back at myself in a mirror and often voice-recording these conversations. Lots of epiphanies, wisdom, and reflections happen during such conversations.
Discover the power of introspection. This is an inspection of the self, and it means looking inward, to discover and learn what is going on deep inside of you. Not the easiest task to do, and therefore often best combined with someone like a professional therapist, counselor, mentor, coach, or psychologist.
Start dream journal(s). More on this in my previous letter reset your life: winter edition.
Create an inspirational journal. Read also my previous letter reset your life: winter edition.
Create a vision board. Check my previous letter reset your life: winter edition.
Discover the power of frugality. Winter screams frugality on all levels, so match your energy and be extra mindful of your money and spending habits.
My current non-negotiable list has: gentle body movements, journaling, and meditation. Of course, I change and add to this list according to my energetics as well as current moon phases.
What about you? Have you chosen a few to try for yourself?
🌬️ Sending you magic & healing your way,
-Vane