The writer Katherine May believes that many of us are approaching winter all wrong. Instead of dreading the grey skies and long nights, she argues that we should learn to embrace the season rather than wishing away a quarter of our lives.
Speaking on a recent podcast with Annie Kelly, May discusses her concept of 'wintering' – a period of rest and recovery that she sees as essential to the natural rhythm of the year. She points to a surprising benefit of the darker months: a reason for the spike in September births, which she attributes to 'midnight sex' during the winter.
May also offers practical advice for seeing the season through to spring. She suggests keeping Christmas lights up beyond the festive period to brighten the gloom, and urges listeners to abandon punishing New Year resolutions that set them up for failure.
For May, winter is not something to be endured but an important time of year in its own right. By reframing our attitude, we can find value in the darkness and emerge refreshed when spring finally arrives.
