Taking comfort in the season that endures

Maybe it's because I was a winter baby or maybe because I'm a bit of a home bod at heart, but I'm one of the few people that genuinely loves the winter season, specifically, this latter part. The part that comes after the Christmas chaos and sees most of us feeling a little glum and well, over it. 

Perhaps it's the unsocial part of my personality that loves it. It's an unsociable season, or at least this part is. After Christmas there's little money to throw around, the weather is gloomy and we return to our day to day routines. 

So I shouldn't love it as much as I do, but there is something deep in my psyche that simply loves winter. As long as the weather doesn't take a turn for the dangerous, I'm happy. Let the rain pour down and the howling wind blow. I'll pull my scarf tighter around my neck and pour another coffee. 

As I write this, the wind is blowing hard around the house and the rooms are dim without lights. I'm sat next to a window so I'm getting all the light I need. When Dan returns from getting the food shop, I'll head down and will have to turn on lights to see what we're doing. 

Am I mad?

Perhaps it's because I know it won't last. It's just another season doing exactly what it's supposed to. Perhaps I've simply managed to do what I struggled with last year and I've finally connected with the seasons to the point of truly feeling part of them? 

Yes, I know that last sentence sounded self indulgent, but it would be lovely if it were true.

I know there's not much going on outside. Nature can look barren and depressing at this time of year. The weather can be harsh and the days dark, but it's important to recognise the good that's around us too. And there is good.

The days are getting slowly longer, the sun a little higher in the sky. We'll be in for some worse weather before the warmth of spring returns, but it is coming. 

In the meantime, pick up a book, a blanket and a cup of something hot and hunker down. Winter is for hibernating and taking stock whenever you can. And when you can't, wrap up in warm, comforting clothes, put on an extra pair of socks and throw yourself into it.

Summer will be here soon enough and no doubt people will then complain that it's too hot and start yearning for the colder months again. Like the fickle humans we are.