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Why Winter Can Leave You Feeling Stuck
It’s coming up to 100 days since my last blog was published. That number has been sitting with me, lingering in the back of my mind. I have felt the weight of it, the quiet pressure to write, to create, to produce. But my creative energy has been in hibernation, burrowed deep for the long, cold winter. And if I am being honest, it is not just my creativity that froze.
I, too, have been wintering. Moving slowly, feeling the heaviness of transition, navigating the first steps into 2025 without urgency.
But as I sit here now, something feels different. Sunlight spills through the window, casting a soft glow, offering a subtle warmth I had not noticed before. Outside, the sky is a crisp, brilliant blue, breaking through the soft veil of clouds. The grass, vibrant and green, stretches towards the light. There is still a chill in the air and a few more weeks before spring officially arrives, but the signs are there.
And just like the season, I feel something shifting within me. A slow reawakening. A gentle stirring from the stillness of my own wintering.
Why Do We Feel Stuck During Winter? The Psychology Behind Seasonal Slumps
Winter has a way of slowing us down, not just physically but emotionally as well. The darker days, the colder weather, the natural pull towards hibernation. For many, this season can feel like wading through treacle, where motivation is low and even simple tasks feel heavier than they should.
Psychologically, winter can affect us in ways we do not always realise. The lack of sunlight impacts our mood, lowering serotonin levels and making us more prone to feeling low or unmotivated. The colder weather means less time outside, less movement, and often, less connection with others. And if we have already been carrying stress, grief or exhaustion, winter has a way of amplifying that weight.
Then there is the concept of wintering, those inevitable seasons in life where we retreat, pause and sit with what is. Sometimes this period of stillness is necessary, even healing. But when we are ready to move forward again, it can feel difficult to know how to begin.
Signs You Are Ready to Move Forward (Even If You Do Not Feel Like It Yet)
Change does not always announce itself loudly. Sometimes it is a whisper. A subtle shift. A quiet feeling that maybe, just maybe, you are ready to step forward again.
Here are some signs that movement is already happening beneath the surface:
🌱 A tiny spark of curiosity, whether it is towards a new idea, project or even a book you have been meaning to read.
🌱 A small burst of energy, fleeting but noticeable.
🌱 A shift in perspective, moments when you start to imagine things could be different.
🌱 A desire for connection, even in the smallest ways, sending a message, reaching out or just thinking about it.
Even if you do not feel fully ready, that is okay. The first step is simply noticing that something inside you is stirring again.
How to Start Moving Forward: Small Steps to Break Through Stagnation
Re-emerging does not happen all at once. It happens in small, deliberate steps, ones that do not force but gently guide you forward. If you are feeling stuck, here are some ways to begin:
🌿 Prioritise Self-Compassion – There is no ‘right’ timeline for moving forward. You are not behind. You are exactly where you need to be. Treat yourself with kindness as you step into this next phase.
🌿 Reintroduce Gentle Routine Changes – Start small. Maybe it is a morning stretch, a short walk, or simply opening the curtains first thing in the morning. Little shifts help reset momentum.
🌿 Seek Fresh Inspiration – Inspiration often sparks when we least expect it. Read something new, journal without pressure, listen to music that moves you or engage in conversations that make you think.
🌿 Reconnect with Others – Even the smallest social interactions can help shake off stagnation. A quick check-in with a friend, a casual chat with a colleague or just spending time around people can make a difference.
You do not have to have it all figured out. Just start where you are and take the next step forward.
Spring as a Metaphor: Embracing Renewal in Your Own Life
Spring does not arrive overnight. It unfolds gradually, one bud at a time, one degree warmer, one longer stretch of daylight. And in the same way, we do not emerge from our own winters in an instant. We stretch, we adjust, we take in the new season slowly.
If you are feeling the pull towards change, ask yourself:
🌼 What is one small thing I want to nurture in myself this season?
It does not have to be big. Maybe it is giving yourself permission to rest without guilt. Maybe it is taking a new opportunity, even if it scares you. Maybe it is simply choosing to be gentler with yourself.
Whatever it is, let it grow at its own pace.
When to Seek Support: You Do Not Have to Do This Alone
Sometimes, moving forward is not just about motivation. It is about having the right support. If you are feeling stuck and unsure of the next step, know that you do not have to figure it out alone.
Talking to someone, whether a friend or a counsellor, can bring clarity and momentum. Sometimes, simply voicing where we are helps us begin to see where we might go next.
If you are finding it hard to shift forward, know that support is here when you are ready.
Emerging at Your Own Pace
If winter has felt heavy, if you have been stuck in stillness, know this. You will not stay there forever. Just like nature, we all go through cycles, times of retreat and times of renewal.
There is no rush. No urgency. Just gentle, steady steps forward.
So, as the seasons begin to shift, ask yourself:
🌿 What is one small action I can take today to move forward?
Whatever your answer, trust that it is enough.
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