Lauren, I nodded fervently throughout this. Fervently!! Immediately it made me think of two things: 1. My husband, a music producer and audiophile, once told me that German techno music producers approach winter as being the time to bed down and make the music for the summer. Is that not so moving? This idea that we need the dark for hibernation and devotion to making beautiful things that will come alive and be celebrated -- and danced to -- in the long, hot days? In this same way, I actually relish working longer hours in the winter so that I can be free, lackadaisical, and "full hedo" (sorry, total Aussie slang dump lol) in the summer. To me it's that Call Me By Your Name house vibe -- maybe there's creative and unfolding projects but the goal of the summer is to undulate between things without pressure and maximum, oozing ease...on a hot day, that's all there's energy for anyway?
2. This podcast from Nocturne is deadset one of the most stunning and thought-provoking pieces I've ever listened to. The ideas around the polar night being time for connection and other forms of energy. The quiet and slowing of things is seemingly another form of fuel? You might find it interesting: https://www.nocturnepodcast.org/the-blue-time/
Overall, love, love, love this article and mutually amped for "the grand stretch", as the Irish call it, of spring and summer days xx Ps Primavera is utterly sublime!
You are such a gem, your comments are freaking fantastic! 🩷
I love the hibernation concept - I can definitely relate to feeling more creative and 'flow-y' in the summer months. But the freedom from work/pressure, the CMBYN vibes, the "oozing-ease", and dabbling in interests all screams summer to me as well. Maybe we can mix and blend the two together somehow? What a lovely thought.
I will be listening to that podcast on my walk this afternoon - thank you for always recommending such great content. I have been listening to Empire Line on my lunch break walks lately... yum. Oh, the grand stretch, that's good. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks again for offering your valuable wisdom. xx
I totally get this!! I’m from Washington state and I moved to California for quite some time. I missed the dark, rainy, stormy days! I’m back in my home state now and happier than ever with my seasons.
Your experience is so similar to mine living in Singapore. But whereas yours was ‘A way of living that caused time to stand still’ - I felt the rush of time passing me, so many experiences that quickly became a blur because there was no backdrops to make one stand out over the other. No snow on the ground or autumnal leaves to remember the day your heart broke or leapt.
That’s not to say I didn’t love the feeling of permanently being on holiday at times, nor the overall experience of living there. But when I felt the cold air hit my face outside Heathrow airport the first time I came back for holidays, tears filled my eyes like a reflex reaction.
Awww thank you for sharing Emma. Nothing like the fresh cool air of home. Such a good point about the seasons creating backdrops to remember specific scenes. And coats! Scarves! There is something so ritualistic and pleasurable about wearing these items.
Really enjoyed this, Lauren! We lived in Tucson for 10 years but I didn't really miss winter then - I think I needed to get winter out of my system after growing up in Wisconsin. But I do love fall, and I do love cozying up with blankets, so I do appreciate the seasons. However, I'm a little miffed at the seasons right now because my tulips were starting to come up and now we have snow.
Thank you Cherie. Oh my, the tulips! We were experiencing similar weather here last week - spring flowers with light snow fall (ugh). Sending you sunny vibes to keep those buds happy! 🌷🌷 Have a great weekend.
Can very much relate. Also live in the PNW and despite complaining about the long, dark months, I think I would struggle to live in a place with no seasons. I too would feel the pressure to always be “on” as I like to take advantage here in the summer, but that’s because I can rest in the winter.
What a great read and much needed reminder as I continue through the Calgary winters! It’s almost opposite here as your experience… we live constantly in a state of cold winter (but with lots of light being one of the sunniest cities in Canada), and have our summers to reflect and appreciate. I find myself in working-overload-mode during the winters instead, because if you don’t continue to get out and move, especially with two young babies!, you’ll get trapped in the winter depression. We hussle around all winter going from work to appointments to swimming lessons etc., and not always appreciating the darkness. But when summer comes, it’s our time to relax and vacation and rest. It is incredible how the seasons affect us physically and mentally. Again, loved this read!
Ahhh Meg, thank you so much for your sweet comment. Such a lovely surprise to see your name. I have heard Calgary gets all the sun (lucky ducks), but I know it's a very long winter. Interesting how things are almost opposite - rest and relax in the summer. Thanks for the perspective! Glad you and the babes are keeping nice and busy. Lots of love, xx
I really enjoyed reading your reflection about seasons, Lauren. So beautifully written, I got shivers. I've never lived somewhere that was 365 days of summer, however, I've noticed that by the end of summers in Vancouver, I start to crave fall and very much look forward to it. On the other hand, this year I've noticed in particular how much the dark, rainy, dreary gloom of winter here has affected my mood. More recently with the sun popping out here again, it's like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. I very much look forward to the bounty and sunnier days of spring ahead!
Thank you Naomi, that means a lot. I always enjoy your comments. This year has absolutely been a long winter, very dreary. Hopefully we end up with a beautiful Spring/Summer ahead (minus the wild fires 🤞🏼). Have a great weekend, xx
Yes yes yes. I lived in the Phoenix area for a few years and I was so fricken disoriented. I remember when I finally got to pull a hoodie out in January and I felt so safe and warm and cozy.
Also, I love getting these little breadcrumbs about you—like that you lived in Hawaii. All I can say is, I’m listening…
My relationship to spring has evolved, some years I didn’t track anything. I was so consumed with just getting through the benchmarks of school and life. I honestly lived more on a school year schedule than a seasonal one for a long time, long after school ended for me. But this year, I can feel my readiness. A blooming.
Loved reading this. Such a wonderful reflection—and thanks for linking my one on belonging 🧡🧡
Ahhh, the school year schedule is so real! Thank you for your comments Kaitlyn - I agree, putting on a hoodie is just so satisfying and safe. 🩷 Happy blooming, xx
Lauren, I nodded fervently throughout this. Fervently!! Immediately it made me think of two things: 1. My husband, a music producer and audiophile, once told me that German techno music producers approach winter as being the time to bed down and make the music for the summer. Is that not so moving? This idea that we need the dark for hibernation and devotion to making beautiful things that will come alive and be celebrated -- and danced to -- in the long, hot days? In this same way, I actually relish working longer hours in the winter so that I can be free, lackadaisical, and "full hedo" (sorry, total Aussie slang dump lol) in the summer. To me it's that Call Me By Your Name house vibe -- maybe there's creative and unfolding projects but the goal of the summer is to undulate between things without pressure and maximum, oozing ease...on a hot day, that's all there's energy for anyway?
2. This podcast from Nocturne is deadset one of the most stunning and thought-provoking pieces I've ever listened to. The ideas around the polar night being time for connection and other forms of energy. The quiet and slowing of things is seemingly another form of fuel? You might find it interesting: https://www.nocturnepodcast.org/the-blue-time/
Overall, love, love, love this article and mutually amped for "the grand stretch", as the Irish call it, of spring and summer days xx Ps Primavera is utterly sublime!
You are such a gem, your comments are freaking fantastic! 🩷
I love the hibernation concept - I can definitely relate to feeling more creative and 'flow-y' in the summer months. But the freedom from work/pressure, the CMBYN vibes, the "oozing-ease", and dabbling in interests all screams summer to me as well. Maybe we can mix and blend the two together somehow? What a lovely thought.
I will be listening to that podcast on my walk this afternoon - thank you for always recommending such great content. I have been listening to Empire Line on my lunch break walks lately... yum. Oh, the grand stretch, that's good. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks again for offering your valuable wisdom. xx
I totally get this!! I’m from Washington state and I moved to California for quite some time. I missed the dark, rainy, stormy days! I’m back in my home state now and happier than ever with my seasons.
Thanks for sharing Lisa! I love me some moody weather in the winter! 🖤
Your experience is so similar to mine living in Singapore. But whereas yours was ‘A way of living that caused time to stand still’ - I felt the rush of time passing me, so many experiences that quickly became a blur because there was no backdrops to make one stand out over the other. No snow on the ground or autumnal leaves to remember the day your heart broke or leapt.
That’s not to say I didn’t love the feeling of permanently being on holiday at times, nor the overall experience of living there. But when I felt the cold air hit my face outside Heathrow airport the first time I came back for holidays, tears filled my eyes like a reflex reaction.
Oh also… I missed coats. So much!
Awww thank you for sharing Emma. Nothing like the fresh cool air of home. Such a good point about the seasons creating backdrops to remember specific scenes. And coats! Scarves! There is something so ritualistic and pleasurable about wearing these items.
Really enjoyed this, Lauren! We lived in Tucson for 10 years but I didn't really miss winter then - I think I needed to get winter out of my system after growing up in Wisconsin. But I do love fall, and I do love cozying up with blankets, so I do appreciate the seasons. However, I'm a little miffed at the seasons right now because my tulips were starting to come up and now we have snow.
Thank you Cherie. Oh my, the tulips! We were experiencing similar weather here last week - spring flowers with light snow fall (ugh). Sending you sunny vibes to keep those buds happy! 🌷🌷 Have a great weekend.
Can very much relate. Also live in the PNW and despite complaining about the long, dark months, I think I would struggle to live in a place with no seasons. I too would feel the pressure to always be “on” as I like to take advantage here in the summer, but that’s because I can rest in the winter.
Yes, for sure! We can play hard because we know rest is coming soon. Thanks for the comment Monia 🩷
Yes, yes, yes. Speaking to my northern Minnesota HEART. I always dread winter a bit.
….But, like, I also NEED it on a soul level.
Absolutely! We love to hate it, but know we need it.
Thanks so much for the comment Kate. 🩷
What a great read and much needed reminder as I continue through the Calgary winters! It’s almost opposite here as your experience… we live constantly in a state of cold winter (but with lots of light being one of the sunniest cities in Canada), and have our summers to reflect and appreciate. I find myself in working-overload-mode during the winters instead, because if you don’t continue to get out and move, especially with two young babies!, you’ll get trapped in the winter depression. We hussle around all winter going from work to appointments to swimming lessons etc., and not always appreciating the darkness. But when summer comes, it’s our time to relax and vacation and rest. It is incredible how the seasons affect us physically and mentally. Again, loved this read!
Ahhh Meg, thank you so much for your sweet comment. Such a lovely surprise to see your name. I have heard Calgary gets all the sun (lucky ducks), but I know it's a very long winter. Interesting how things are almost opposite - rest and relax in the summer. Thanks for the perspective! Glad you and the babes are keeping nice and busy. Lots of love, xx
I really enjoyed reading your reflection about seasons, Lauren. So beautifully written, I got shivers. I've never lived somewhere that was 365 days of summer, however, I've noticed that by the end of summers in Vancouver, I start to crave fall and very much look forward to it. On the other hand, this year I've noticed in particular how much the dark, rainy, dreary gloom of winter here has affected my mood. More recently with the sun popping out here again, it's like a weight being lifted off my shoulders. I very much look forward to the bounty and sunnier days of spring ahead!
Thank you Naomi, that means a lot. I always enjoy your comments. This year has absolutely been a long winter, very dreary. Hopefully we end up with a beautiful Spring/Summer ahead (minus the wild fires 🤞🏼). Have a great weekend, xx
Yes yes yes. I lived in the Phoenix area for a few years and I was so fricken disoriented. I remember when I finally got to pull a hoodie out in January and I felt so safe and warm and cozy.
Also, I love getting these little breadcrumbs about you—like that you lived in Hawaii. All I can say is, I’m listening…
My relationship to spring has evolved, some years I didn’t track anything. I was so consumed with just getting through the benchmarks of school and life. I honestly lived more on a school year schedule than a seasonal one for a long time, long after school ended for me. But this year, I can feel my readiness. A blooming.
Loved reading this. Such a wonderful reflection—and thanks for linking my one on belonging 🧡🧡
Ahhh, the school year schedule is so real! Thank you for your comments Kaitlyn - I agree, putting on a hoodie is just so satisfying and safe. 🩷 Happy blooming, xx