Nadine J Walters – My Life

As I walked with my dog Andy today, I listened to a chapter from my current audiobook, Wintering by Katherine May. The book is a narrative about transforming through difficult times through rest and retreat. The writing is absolutely beautiful and because it is an audiobook hearing the words in the authors voice is a real treat.

What I am gleaning from the book so far is simply that we can use the cold, isolation, and slowing down of winter to heal ourselves. This is much like when we apply an ice pack or cold pack to overwork an injured, strained, or overworked body part to provide relief. Just like when we injure an ankle or knee, we can back off and give that emotional part of us the time and rest that needed to heal. I feel that for me, the colder days and longer nights of winter encourages me to do just that.

I am allowing myself to not overdo. Instead I am choosing to do only those things that fit in my schedule, my mood, and how my body is feeling. The reality of getting older can be difficult to accept. I tell myself that the ambition of trying to be successful can be replaced with simply being comfortable, healthy, and happy. It’s nice to be content with less, to let go of ambition and trying to please everyone.

So for now, I am simply “wintering.”