There's something about winter that feels like a collective sigh. The world quiets, daylight softens and fades quicker, and suddenly the pressue to be constantly doing loses it's grip. Winter isn't loud or demanding, it gently invites us inward, toward warmth, rest, and stories. For me, it has additional benefits. No snakes, no ticks, no BUGS and most of the "critters" that annoy us and cause issues all spring, summer, and fall, are also enjoying the rest and quiet, hibernating. Living in the woods is beautiful year-round, but it also comes with things that I could live without. So when the snow makes everything clean and bright, I'm not really that bothered by it. It's not like we have to drive to work! Alexa tells us every morning that our commute looks good via Hyde Lake Road!
Winter is the season of cozy rituals. Thick socks. ( I am obsessed with soft, thick socks.) Soft blankets. Mugs cupped in both hands, filled with warm teas or tasty coffees. Snuggling on the couch with a book and my kitties while a cozy fire keeps us all toasty. Evenings stretch longer, slower, as the cold outside gives us the best excuse to stay inside without guilt. Winter doesn't rush us, it holds us.
Tucked right into that stillness is reading... When everything outside feels hushed, books feel louder in the best possible way. Winter is when reading becomes less about productivity and more about pleasure. You don't have to skim through the pages quickly because there is something else you need to do. You're lingering. Reading by lamplight. There's comfort in letting someone else's story unfold while the wind whips outside and the fire roars inside. Winter gives us permission to rest without explanation. To cancel plans. To say no. To choose a quiet night or a crowded, noisy one. Reading becomes a small act of rebellion against the pressure to be constantly available. It's choosing depth over noise, presence over pace. This season reminds us that slowing down isn't laziness, it's necessary. Just like the earth rests before spring, we're allowed to do the same. To curl up, to recharge, to sink into pages that make us feel less alone.
So if winter finds you reading more, resting more, wanting less...good! That's exactly the point. Cozy isn't a mood. It's a way of listening to the season and letting it teach you how to be gentle with yourself. Grab a book. Stay warm. The world can wait until spring!