Wintering: Rest, renewal and the art of hibernation
As the days grow shorter and the light softens, I find myself naturally slowing down. There’s something about this time of year that calls for a gentle retreat — a time to pause, reflect, and savour my energy before the sparkle of Christmas fairs and markets begins.
Yet even as I rest, I’m still absorbing — quietly collecting inspiration from the subtle beauty of the season. The shifting skies, the quiet walks, the stillness — they all feed something deep within me. It’s a slower rhythm, but a deeply creative one. Ideas simmer beneath the surface, and I can already feel the early stirrings of a new body of work taking shape.
Wintering, for me, isn’t about stopping — it’s about listening. It’s a chance to reconnect with why I create, to let new concepts breathe before they bloom.
And then, as the festive season arrives, the energy shifts again. I look forward to the joyful bustle of Christmas fairs — to meeting new people who are drawn to my work, to sharing stories and laughter with collectors, and to feeling that wonderful sense of creative community. Those encounters — those warm exchanges — refill my creative cup in the most beautiful way.
So this season, I’m embracing both sides of the cycle: the stillness that restores and the connection that inspires. I’m hibernating, yes — but it’s a conscious, creative kind of hibernation. One that nurtures the seeds of what’s to come.
Ways to embrace a creative winter
If this season is calling you to slow down too, here are a few gentle ways to make the most of it:
Create quiet rituals. Light a candle, make tea, or take a slow morning walk — anything that helps you reconnect with your senses before the day begins.
Collect small inspirations. Keep a sketchbook or journal nearby. Note colours, moods, or snippets of thought that catch your attention — they might become the seeds of future work.
Let ideas simmer. Not every idea needs to be rushed into being. Trust the quiet gestation period; creativity often thrives in stillness.
Seek beauty in the ordinary. The muted tones and slower days of winter have their own poetry. Let them speak to your work.
Balance solitude with connection. When the festive season comes, let yourself be filled up by conversation, laughter, and community — the nourishment of shared creativity.
Here’s to slowing down, soaking it all in, and letting winter quietly shape the next chapter.
