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Humans don’t hibernate for winter like animals or trees, but there is a strong inclination to wind things down to a slower pace, end your day a little earlier, take more naps, and just plain zone out for a bit more in the colder months. I think it starts right after the holiday hustle and bustle, as we feel the need to tidy up our spaces, clean out the things that no longer serve a purpose to us, and organize the ones that do. Even the stores feel the need at this time to put baskets, bins, fresh sheets and towels on sale, mostly for our consumption but because there is also a strong demand for them at this time of year.
I myself have been going through my home since the day after Christmas (and if I’m honest with myself, a little before) opening each drawer and closet to tidy and remove what no longer belongs. “A fresh start to a New Year”, I tell myself year after year of doing this. This time, I had a new inclination of why I feel the need to clean and organize like a new mother in her third trimester every post holiday/early January. Perhaps what feels like a new year cleanse is actually a preparation for the season of Wintering.
Much like an animal will forage and stock up on food, or a tree will change color and lose its leaves…we humans feel the urge to prepare for the slower darker months of cozy blanket couch cuddling, warm beverages, and tucking ourselves in a little earlier to catch up on sleep. The Danish call it Hygge, the Scottish Hurkle Durkle, and Gen Z coined the term “Bed-Rotting”. Even our pets are down to snuggle and nap more! The need is there and whether we are conscious of it or not, tis the season to get ready.
I don’t know how many of us tend to use this time for preparing the home for this slower pace, but I know many like me that stock up the pantry and emergency stores in our homes. So I know I’m not alone on this. I myself know for a fact that as I pack up the decorations until next holiday season this coming week, that I will also deep clean all the spaces and items I put back around the house and even rearrange a little to make the space feel as cozy and homey as possible, I've been doing it for decades.
Like a bird building nests for their young, or a new mom getting her home ready for a new arrival, there is an instinct that comes out to prepare our homes for the settling of our families through these colder, darker months. I don’t know if it is gender specific, as I see it present with both my daughter and son (however, they were raised by me so???). My husband is a happy helper too, as he tidies the garage and blows the leaves around with the rest of the guys in my neighborhood. Perhaps we all just know that as soon as our space is ready we can hunker down and sit a spell while we wait for our next motivation or inspired warmer day.
I might just be spouting complete B.S. for all I know, but I feel like the numbers are with me on this one. I’ve seen the posts of people taking trees down the day after Christmas, and the donation bins at the Good Will filled up. I think we are tapping into an animal instinct to get ready to rest.
So if you are feeling that urge to tidy, purge, or organize, know that you are not alone. And if you are an early bird that has already made your space a cozy haven…I envy you, enjoy your warm beverage with your cozy blanket and get that rest. You deserve it!