Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

by Katherine May

Sleeping is my sanity, my luxury, my addiction.

And winter sleeps are the best. I like my duvet thick and my bedroom cold so that I have a chill to snuggle against.

We seem to be living in an age when we’re bombarded with entreaties to be happy, but we’re suffering from an avalanche of depression. We’re urged to stop sweating the small stuff, yet we’re chronically anxious. I often wonder if these are just normal feelings that become monstrous when they’re denied. A great deal of life will always suck. There will be moments when we’re riding high and moments when we can’t bear to get out of bed. Both are normal. Both in fact require a little perspective.