5 Things I Learned in the Longest Winter

Every season we learn things, but it isn’t until we pay attention that we really own them. Years ago, Emily Freeman guided us to spend time thinking about what we learned in the closing season before we move into the new season. And this season has taught so much.

In no particular order other than how they come to mind, here is what I’ve learned this winter.

1. It Truly Was the Longest Winter

As I type these words we are exactly two days from closing out one year of pandemic living in Connecticut.

We were just getting an inkling that things didn’t look good, but we had no idea what that meant. We had no idea about wearing masks or social distance. No idea how to be home for so long or how much we would miss hugs. No idea how precious it was to see a stranger smile or how much we valued the ability to cross state lines. There was simply so much we didn’t know.

And now we’re closing out the year. Perhaps the sum of all the parts of this year made these winter days feel longer than ever. And maybe that is exactly what we needed.

2. There Was Beauty Even In This Winter

I won’t be the one to sugarcoat things and sprinkle them in fairy dust. The winter was hard. But there can be beauty in hard seasons.

I found beauty in earlier bedtimes and cozy fires because safe rest is what I truly needed in my soul.

There was beauty in twenty degree walks around the town green after dark because we needed to get out of these four walls at least once each day.

And there was so much beauty in coming to terms with my clenched fist wrestling and opening my hands with an exhale, if even for a moment.

There is always beauty because our night is never truly dark. Find the tiny light.

3. I Sleep Better When I Read Before Bed

I’ve always been a book lover, but I had defaulted to watching tv every night before bed. Actually, for the first time in fifteen years I’ve been watching tv in bed since my teens wanted to hang in the living room past eight pm and I needed space to myself (more on that later.)

I still love to watch tv, but my sleep is more restful, less interrupted and involves fewer crazy dreams when I read before bed instead of watch tv. Even fifteen minutes makes a big difference.

4. I Love Being With My People, But I Still Need Space

We’ve been home together for a year. My husband, a nurse and paramedic, has worked throughout the pandemic. But the rest of us have been living, working, playing, learning in 1800 square feet for one full year. That’s a lot of togetherness.

It is as wonderful as it is hard.

This winter we’ve had time to do the winter things like read books and find a new favorite cookie recipe and watch lots of tv. But we also argued and struggled and wished for space the way my daughters wish they didn’t have to share a room. It isn’t good or bad, it simply is.

And part of that is realizing that I need time alone. I need space. But right now even that looks different. Time alone may be going for a walk and space may mean taking a bath instead of hanging out after dinner. It’s ok. It’s all ok.

5. I Have To Let Some Good Things Go

I can only do two or three things well at a time. Max. It’s not good or bad, it’s simply the way I function best.

It’s no surprise that the pandemic has added more things to my plate than it took away, the biggest of which is having three teens remote learning full time. With so many changes I found myself struggling every single day with the feeling that I was failing.

And then I remembered (also known as God reminded me) that it’s okay to let go of good things to make sure we have space (read: capacity, time, energy, resources) for the best things. I first read about this idea here. Remembering this has helped me look at what I’m doing and decide if it’s really one of those two or three BEST things for my life and my family right now.

Letting go has brought so much freedom, even in the lingering grief. The gift is that we can hold both grief and gratitude at the same time.

As we close the door on what very well may feel like the longest winter, may we look for what we’ve learned, hold it in our hands and appreciate it before we move on to the hope of spring.

Tell me one thing you’ve learned in this longest winter. And don’t forget to share this post!

Connecting with great writers at the following linkups: Hello Monday, Inspire Me Monday, The Happy Now Blog Linkup, Tell His Story, Recharge Wednesday, InstaEncouragements, Tune In Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Friendship Friday, Grace & Truth, Grace at Home, Anything Goes.