After a mild start to our winter, it is now properly cold. I am worried about people far thinner than me because I am decently insulated yet am chilled to my bones. The day before the shortest day of the year I noticed the sun descending about three metres over to the right of where it normally does, and from that moment on, Winter swooped in, cool, blue-grey cloaks billowing about her.
Some people love the cold and talk about all their extra energy and enthusiasm for life but I just don’t seem to have what it takes to get through the colder weather well. The cloud cover makes me feel lonely and sad and the lack of solar powered hot water means that we cannot even look forward to a piping hot bath. I walk around at night wearing layers and layers of clothing and then wrap a blanket around for just in case. Just before transitioning into bed, I do a few exercises right there in the dark so that I don’t have to tie myself in knots to combat the cold of the sheets. All this whilst the children run about naked after their baths and then pull their socks off after we have put them on.
I don’t like to be negative or complain and, in general, I am a positive soul. I never want to cause trouble and I like it when people live in harmony and agree about things. I thrive on focusing on all the good and beautiful things out there, but I just cannot pretend that I am enjoying the weather right now. I feel restricted and clumsy and am yawning up a storm. I am not feeling motivated or inspired, I’m just feeling cold; and it’s bringing up memories of the time I got hypothermia when I was a teenager. There, now that I have said it maybe I can begin to do something about it.
Perhaps I am a good candidate for an electric blanket. And thermal socks! I am wearing them for the first time tonight, thanks to my neighbour who seems to have everything I might need, and they have definitely caused the situation to become less intense. It might be overdoing it but I am also wearing a hat so that I don’t lose any heat from my head. I am going to read books with happy endings and make sure that there is always water in the flask for hot water bottles and cups of tea.
If I am struggling and I live in relative luxury, perhaps I should put a few jackets, warm hats and blankets in the car to hand out to anyone who looks like they need a little extra help right now. Especially since everyone keeps going on about the snow down south, and we know what that means. So many people are doing a great work for those less fortunate, and they are good channels to give through, but there is nothing so lovely as noticing a need and being prepared to meet it. One of the best things that has ever happened to me in that regard is when I once noticed a pedestrian’s shoe break. Whilst she hobbled along with her one shoe, not looking for a handout of any sorts, I slowed my car down and handed my shoes to her. Nothing beats that sort of moment. We all make the world go round.
What could you be honest about today? Is it all going tickety boo with your smile glued onto your face but no sparkle in your eyes? Perhaps, for you, it has nothing to do with the temperature, but something is pulling you down below zero whilst you try so hard to pretend that everything is okay. Try saying it out loud. Name the trouble and see what solutions might begin to transpire in the wake of an honest moment.
It’s always good to remember that the seasons come and go. We will let go of this one but we will meet it again in all its brand new familiarity. It’s going to get warm again, but I, for one, will do next winter better.
Leave a Reply