February 1st was the mid-point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox, signifying that we are halfway through the northern hemisphere’s dark, cold winter season. While February is the shortest month of the year, it can often feel like the longest. It’s right in the middle of the winter cold, and while we tend to anticipate the spring weather coming in March (even though it more likely comes at the end of April!) February still feels very much like winter. And because this year has truly been an extraordinary one, we wouldn’t blame you if this winter seems longer than usual!
With all of that in mind, we wanted to drop into the journal this week with five little winter self care tips to make bright spots in your winter days. While the days are shorter, the nights are longer, and the temperatures are colder, there are lots of small ways we can invite in beauty, calm, and a deeper sense of well-being to our days. So slip into your floral kimono robe, sit down with this list, and find something that speaks to you and encourages you to bring a bright spot of joy and gratitude into your winter days.
Instead of overdoing it with the caffeine, carve out a little bright spot into your day by sitting down with some afternoon tea! A little afternoon tea can be a delightful way to brighten your day, break up the repetition, and carve out some sacred space. All it takes is a little intention. Find your favorite kind of tea — we love loose leaf anything! — and drape your silk kimono robe around your shoulders as an extra reminder to slow it down. Just a little break, whether you’re sitting in your favorite comfy chair or gazing out the window and watching the clouds roll by, can provide a deep sense of calm and groudnedness that can do a world of good for your daily winter well-being.
It can absolutely be a challenge to get outside in the winter months. However, it’s been proven again and again that taking a little bit of walk every day can do a lot for both your physical and mental health. Depending on where you live, maybe all you need to do is slip your white kimono robe over your pajamas and walk around your backyard. Take a look at your garden, or consider what you might want to plant this spring. Taking the time to get out of the house (safely of course!) is a great way to reset your mind and get unstuck if you’ve felt bogged down inside your home.
Whether it’s fake or real, bring nature to you! Especially if you live in a city and don’t have access to green space, do what you can to create that green space inside your home. We love a big, overgrown plant to anchor a living room, or even a few delicate succulents to spruce up your bathroom. We have always been inspired by nature and our kimono patterns show it. In every beautiful piece is a theme, pattern, or inspiration from nature. So wrap yourself up in your blue kimono robe, add a little greenery to your living space, and don’t forget that nature is an integral part of being in touch with a grounded, calm, and relaxed sense of self.
Our physical bodies have likely missed out on a lot of movement this year. And in winter, it is even easier to feel stagnated and sedentary. While hibernation is a good instinct for these cold, dark months, it’s important to move your body in a way that helps reconnect you to it. Maybe you’re not going out for grand adventures this season, but stretching can do just the trick for a body that feels a little stiff. Make sure you give yourself reminders to stretch throughout the day. Perhaps you wake up in the morning, slip into your maxi kimono robe and do a light stretch of your neck, shoulders, and arms. Then after lunch, perhaps you have a cup of hot tea and pedal out your feet through a downward dog and find positions that loosen your hips after so much sitting all day long. Then before bed, do another full body stretch, slip into your silk kimono robe, and settle down for a beautiful night of rest. While you may not leave your house, you can still find a sense of groundedness by reconnecting with your body by stretching and add a little bright spot of movement to your day.
Perhaps it’s too cold to open up your windows all the way, but one way to find a bright spot is to pull open all the shades. It sounds simple, but letting the sunshine into your home can instantly boost your mood — even if it’s below freezing outside! While you’re at it, you might as well dress in your favorite white kimono robe to add a little brightness to the space yourself. Turn on some lights and help your body and mind wake up. Once it gets a little bit warmer, don’t forget to crack those windows and let the fresh air circulate through your home. Just a little bit of outside air can help flush out the stale energy or stagnated feel of your space and help you see with a new perspective.
No matter how you bring a little brightness to your every day this winter, try to find something that makes you feel a little bit of joy and a little less stress. While we hope every time you slip into your kimono robe, you feel that sense of confidence and beauty in your own skin, we know that feeling good is a practice as much as a one time mood. This winter, find the bright lights that bring you joy and practice them as much as possible. After all, lovely, you deserve it.
