Winter is definitely in the air. The nights (and mornings) are getting darker, there’s a bite in the air and all I want to do is snuggle on the sofa in my pyjamas under a cosy blanket.
Now that it’s December, we’re on the countdown to the holidays, and then it’s time to start over again in the New Year.
From September until the end of December has always been my favourite time of year. I love the cold weather, the promise of snow and frosty mornings and the feeling of new beginnings that still remain from all those new September school years.
But there are a few reasons that winter is also a great time to get creative:
Dark nights
In summer, the long nights are great for going out, socialising and meeting friends. But the dark winter nights were made for staying in.
Use the extra time at home to inspire your creativity and start that new project or write that novel. There’s a reason NaNoWriMo takes place every November.
Internalisation and dreaming
The winter months bring out the desire to hibernate in all of us. It’s cold and dark and we don’t want to venture too far from the house.
Spending so much time inside gives my mind more time to wander and I start to turn inward. I dream and do a lot of thinking; it’s the perfect way to come up with new ideas for a book or the blog.
Moody weather
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always preferred the grey weather that comes with living in the north of England. I love nothing better than a rainy, cold day where I can curl up on the sofa with a book and ignore the world outside.
Dramatic cloudy skies and snowy landscapes are also fantastic for photography, especially if you enjoy capturing the landscape the way that I do.
Some of the great works of literature evoke the moody landscapes and stormy weather of a winter struck England; just think Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights.
Holiday season
Autumn and winter are jammed with holidays: Christmas is the obvious one, but don’t forget Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Diwali, among others.
With the traditions of giving gifts and decorating the house, Christmas is a great time to practice arts and crafts. Remember the hours you spent at school making your own Christmas cards or decorations?
And if you’re lucky enough to be able to take some time off work, you can focus on your creative activities.
Time to reflect on the previous year and set new goals
As the year comes to a close, we like to look back at the significant things that have happened and at our achievements, before we plan for the year ahead.
There are some great seasonal challenges like NaNoWriMo and BEDN (Blog Every Day in November) that prompt those taking part to get creative, but the habits we develop during these times can be sustained throughout the year.
New Year is also the perfect time to start a new creative project, as we often get a boost of energy once we decide where we want the new year to take us.
So, is winter your creative time? What about it do you enjoy the most?
Sara Strauss says
I love winter too! Once I get a burst of inspiration, one of my favorite things is staying up late and writing, especially if it’s cold and snowy outside! And now that December is here, I need to figure out my goals for next year!
~Sara
Amy Lord says
I always feel more creative late at night when I should be sleeping! Definitely agree about setting some goals, need to make a good start to the year!