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  Ideas for a great retirement

Wintering... And Then Spring

4/19/2021

6 Comments

 
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I grew up in a place where there were harsh winters. Though we found plenty to do playing outside sledding and ice skating in spite of the cold, our activities and pace were different during the winter than during the other seasons. When I was in my late 30s, I moved to California for a few years. Folks living there would talk about having winter, but to someone who grew up on the Canadian border in the Midwest, it seemed like one long non-winter to me. I found myself longing for that change of pace that the frigid weather brought.
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 A recent New York Times opinion piece by Charlie Warzel reflected on how this COVID time has been a 'wintering' for all of us. Warzel had read the book, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May. The book was not written in response to this time of COVID, but rather to talk about the importance of having a ‘wintering’ whenever we encounter something difficult. She defines wintering as, “a fallow period in life when you’re cut off from the world, feeling rejected, sidelined, blocked from progress, or cast into the role of an outsider.” Have you felt that during this COVID time in some way, or at another time? I certainly feel I have been through a time like that.

Even though we are just coming off of seasonal winter in Minnesota, where I live, I resonated even more with the concept of the cultural and personal wintering that has been happening with less busyness and distraction or even the usual connection with others. We've had to do life differently. These have been and continue to be unusual times. Many of us have lamented the quieter days with fewer choices in places to go. Many have talked about ‘COVID fatigue’ where we lack interest or motivation to do things. It may be that we are still finishing our wintering.
 
What has this time added to our lives, as well? How can we take some of what we may have learned forward as our world opens up bit by bit? When I studied Asian medicine, I learned the important role seasonal changes played for our bodies and our well-being, rather than the perpetual “go forward” of our American culture. I ponder how this time may have shifted our culture as a whole. We likely aren't simply going back to 'normal' as we have talked about.

How has this time of change been gift for you? Here are some questions for you to reflect on about our collective wintering:
  • What did you find to do that you enjoyed during this quieter time? What was hard for you?
  • Were there new perspectives you gained?
  • How did your relationships with family change?
  • How did the quality of your friendships or even your circle of friends change?
  • What questions or clarity developed about the parts of your life that fit and the parts that don’t?
  • What did you resolve to do more or less of when we would be able to go about life more freely?
  • Did you spend more time outdoors? What awareness did you develop about the world around you?
  • Was there anything you were happy to have a break from?
  • Is there a new pace you want your life to have going forward?
  • Did you develop new depth or even new traits that you will have to take forward in your life?
When I work with folks who are newly retired or who are realigning how they live in retirement, I will often see people with the expectation they need to fill their hours and if they don’t, they’ve somehow failed. I advocate for some quiet time in each day, or better yet a patch in the week. It's a little wintering energy to take in all the change that is happening, particularly at the beginning of retirement. Some folks choose to have a longer wintering time after they retire and simply do nothing for an extended period of time. That may not be right for everyone, but may be a need for some.
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On a larger scale, as May talks about in her book, there will be times when things happen in your life for which wintering may become beneficial or even necessary. It is not often part of our life planning. We value staying active and involved. But there is great power in a time of being quiet and still. In what ways can you plan life so you have the foundation and structure in your life to be free for wintering in the future? Most of us assume we will go full steam ahead in the years to come. But it may be a great health practice to at least ponder the possibility of, if not become at peace with, wintering at times.

I have been wondering how can we learn to talk about our wintering with each other? We are so good at talking about all that we have been busy with. How might the intimacy of those conversations build new depth in our relationships? Who do you know around you who is having a wintering time? Can you hear about their season vs. do you feel the need to rush in and try buck them up? Can you tell someone about your winter?
When we allow ourselves, seasonally or otherwise, the opportunity of wintering, a spring will eventually come along, bit by bit. Spring is a time where we can celebrate new discoveries, new hope, new growth, new satisfactions, and the world will take on new color…based on the underground work of winter. It only comes when we are ready to get there.
References:
May, Katherine. Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. New York, Riverhead Books, November 10, 2020. 
Warzel, Charlie. Why You Should Adopt a Seasonal Mind-Set. New York Times, April 5, 2021.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/05/opinion/katherine-may-winter-covid.html?smid=tw-share

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Have you had a wintering time in your life over these last months? Do you anticipate one in the months ahead for whatever reason? I'd love to hear any insights you have from your time or wondering you have for the time ahead. Feel free to leave a comment below or email me.
If you are emerging and creating something new for yourself and need a partner to check in with, or find ways to be your best self on the journey, I'd love to help.
You can contact me via email: [email protected] or phone me at 952-223-1121.
6 Comments
Maxine
4/23/2021 12:24:21 pm

Generally I like the season of winter to slow down, cook more hearty meals, and still gather with friends. This pandemic was hard for me being an extrovert. I did do parking lot lunches, backyard potlucks, potluck fire pit gatherings of 4 of us. And I missed eating out and more gathering with friends during the coldest months. We also gathered at a friends heated garage, she came here once and we stayed on the deck and we met in between once for an extended lunch. All that helped me. We also camped with 3 other women and did our best to socially distance. They even surprised me with a birthday party while camping.

I became more of a slug and didn’t feel like doing anything. I didn’t even read. We fixed 3 meals a day and that was the basics and I gained weight. Gyms were closed so I couldn’t even do that. We did watch more Netflix and more public tv.

I missed Christmas and birthdays with my family and yet I know I am blessed because I do not live alone. I had someone to talk to and commiserate with.

Thanks Ruth for the good questions to get me thinking about my blessings
Maxine

Reply
Ruth
4/25/2021 02:05:11 pm

Maxine, you listed so many creative ways to spend your time during the pandemic. I certainly see how it would get an extrovert down to be cut off, and it seems like you found some great ways to get to the other side. Thank you so much for sharing and your honesty.

Reply
Denise Musser
4/25/2021 10:46:51 am

Thank you for sending the email, Ruth. The pandemic has enabled me to work from home and provide care to my husband who had an open heart surgery and kidney surgery, so I am grateful for that. It's been very hard on me emotionally, but I've learned to focus on what matters, how to turn a corner in behavior, so my emotions will follow and how to be open minded to new activities that bring me joy..

As far as relationships, I think the stress of the pandemic plus the stress of the national political state, my husband's health challenges and the fact that all "fun" and "travel" plans were stopped brought out the worst in me.

I became depressed, short tempered and anxious.

However, after that cycle, I found that journaling, reaching out for emotional help to God and my family and friends and music/film and books helped bring out the best in me. I have not read as many books as I'd hoped to, but I've listened to a few. I wasn't able to concentrate on puzzles, but I learned to color again. I didn't knit or crochet, but I organized and cleaned my house from top to bottom and I learned I can live with a lot few things.

Maybe these habits will carry over into next winter. I hope so. I know that I can navigate a long winter, and I am blessed with many resources that some people don't enjoy, so there is no real reason to complain about what I "don't" have.

This year of winter has illustrated the importance of self care, meditation and connection with loving family and friends.

Denise

Reply
Ruth
4/25/2021 02:02:03 pm

Thank you so much for so honestly sharing your wintering experience. You are indeed resilient and resourceful. You have definitely mined the richness of a wintering experience. My best to you and your husband.

Reply
Lauren
4/27/2021 08:08:41 am

The pandemic has provided much time and opportunity for self care and learning. Having to quit working has been a struggle on an emotional level, spiritual level and practical level. Within the struggle is the area of learning. I can't change what is happening or control the future, so how can I change my approach to the circumstances? Working toward releasing my illusions of control. I've also been finding that resting in the unknown is tricky, but doable. At this point, I've stopped struggling so much and am enjoying this impermanent situation.

Reply
Ruth
4/29/2021 10:15:05 am

Loving What Is. How eloquently you described the journey of learning. Thank you!

Reply



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