finding comfort in winter

the art of wintering or how to find warmth in the cold through simple pleasures

Dec 20, 2024

Snow-covered trees on a quiet winter day.

Winter has begun its quiet takeover in Edinburgh, marking the bittersweet end of autumn. As I mentioned in a previous post, I used to look forward to December for the festive cheer. Maybe it’s because I won’t be spending the holidays with family, and instead, I’ll be working most days, but this year doesn’t feel quite the same. December feels less like Christmas and more like just winter.

Could this cosy guide to surviving the season, embracing the cold, and welcoming the darkness have come earlier? Probably. Although technically, the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere isn’t until 21 December, so I’m just in time! I also feel this list will come in handy as winter lingers into February and March when spring feels like a myth. Anyway, here are my thoughts and recommendations for eating, reading, making, and more to find comfort in winter.

Creating a warm space / body

Switch to soft, indirect lighting. Set the mood with a floor lamp, candlelight, or both. Harsh overhead lights feel jarring when the world outside calls for cosiness. You’ll be surprised how much warmth a few candles can add to a room.

Layer, layer, and layer like there is no tomorrow. Yes, having a different beanie for each day of the week is totally acceptable. Show off your coat collection while you’re at it (ok, maybe this one is only for me).

Put your pyjamas on the radiator for 10 minutes before changing into them. Trust me on this one.

Invest in a hot water bottle. This might not be new to you, but it is to me. I have lived all my life without and only in my thirties have I discovered the joy of a hot water bottle to warm up your bed before snuggling under your duvet. It’s a life-changer. What am I saying? A lifesaver!

Get wool or thermal socks and say no to doubling socks – your toes will thank you.

Hunt for the little sunny spots in your home and lay there – yes, like a cat. Cats know how precious the sun is to their metabolism and ours too.

Image 1: Close-up of seasonal spiced hot chocolate from Söderberg. / Image 2: A bowl of porridge made with mashed banana and cacao.

Food will warm up your heart

Spruce up your hot drinks. Last year, I got a tea advent calendar, and this year I have a bit of FOMO. Instead, I’m experimenting with teas at home and from coffee shops or recreating their seasonal specials. My favourite winter drink? Making hot chocolate with real chocolate (white hot chocolate is my guilty pleasure). It’s simple, delicious, and soothing for the soul. All you need is your milk and chocolate of choice. For an extra treat, add marshmallows or whipped cream. One year, I even brewed my very own apple cider. You can decide to spike it or not – I’ll let you be the judge.

Add cinnamon to e-ve-ry-thing. Porridge, yoghurt, granola, hot chocolate or cookies – a sprinkle of cinnamon makes everything taste better.

Soup is life. When I can’t be bothered to cook after work, soup is the answer. It requires little effort, and you can eat it all week long. Use any veg you have, blend it or leave it chunky, and savour the warmth.

Try different roots and seasonal vegetables. I love pumpkins and all their little friends, but when winter hits, parsnips or swedes are my go-to. They’re a little sweet and so delicious roasted or mashed. I love a good mash.

Bake something. Whether you’re sharing or hoarding baked goods for yourself, baking has a certain magic – even when the cleanup feels less magical.

Visit Christmas markets. Roasted chestnuts, mini Dutch pancakes, and mulled cider? Yes, please. My personal menu also includes mac and cheese.

Potlucks >>> Bring a dish to share at a friend’s house, and you’ll end up with a table full of comfort food from every cuisine. It’s the winter version of summer picnics.

A neon sign reading ‘baby, it’s cold outside’ at a Christmas market in London.

Finding joy in stories and screen

Go to the cinema. I can probably count the number of times I’ve gone to the cinema in the last eleven months on one hand. Luckily, winter releases tend to be stronger. Heading to the cinema – even if it’s freezing outside – with the promise of warmth and a good time always gets me. I find it fascinating that, as a collective, we decide to sit in a dark room with strangers to laugh or cry together. Bonus: many cinemas screen nostalgic classics during winter.

Movie nights at home. I’m not a romance girlie when it comes to my reads, and yet Christmas romcoms are another guilty pleasure of mine. Predictable plots, fake snow, and all. To me, it’s about the shared experience. You can watch them with friends. Or, if like me most of your friends live in other countries, you can catch up via WhatsApp audio messages and yap about them since you know they’ll watch them too. It’s tradition. If romcoms aren’t your thing (understandably), I’m all about nostalgia and love rewatching childhood favourites. My personal picks are Little Women (both the 1994 and 2019 versions), Mermaids, Lost in Translation, The Grand Budapest Hotel, or any Studio Ghibli movies. Watching them with friends who also loved them as kids is pure joy. This time, you can watch together and recite the dialogue to each other.

Read. This goes without saying. Curate a little winter to-be-read pile or let your fingers wander freely through your bookshelf, picking whatever speaks to you. Visit your local library and ask the librarian for recommendations—they always have hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

Just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean you can’t get coffee, sit outside, and people-watch. This is why turtlenecks and big coats exist.

Image 1: Pine tree branch covered in fresh snow. / Image 2: White bedding with the book The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath on top.

Taking care of yourself

Embrace the slowness. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and many other holidays are just around the corner, and this season can feel stressful. Take your time when you need to. Winter invites us to slow down. Savour simple moments: making your coffee, cooking a delicious meal, washing your face, or writing in a journal. Winter requires self-compassion. Find peace in those little pockets of time where no one (especially yourself) is expecting anything from you.

Take care of your skin. Harsh winds are brutal on your face. I told you about layering clothes, now I’ll encourage you to layer skincare. My first winter in Canada left my skin so dry I had to change my entire routine. I was practically shedding my skin, and it definitely wasn’t a pretty sight. Now I know better. Yes, Scottish winters aren’t as harsh (although the wind might disagree), but I always feel like my skin needs an extra boost during this season. And don’t skip sunscreen!

Journaling. With more time spent indoors, you may find yourself with extra moments to think – and yes, I know it’s a bit of a cliché to say this, but the end of the year and the beginning of the next (aka winter) are the perfect times to reflect. It’s a chance to confront your feelings and make plans for what lies ahead. My journaling habits have been rather sporadic this year, but they’ve been a lifeline when I’ve needed them most. If you’re unsure where to start, try using prompts, or simply let your thoughts flow with a stream of consciousness (my personal favourite). It doesn’t have to be perfect; it’s not a book for publication. Let it be messy – after all, you’re writing it for yourself, and no one else.

Saying yes. When it’s cold out, I’m usually all about staying in – but sometimes, I notice my introverted tendencies creeping in a bit too much. Self-care, for me, is also about gently nudging myself out of my comfort zone. Winter is a time for finding warmth in the people around you, whether it’s a casual movie night at a colleague’s flat (because you bonded over how Past Lives left you both teary-eyed at the cinema and have yet to rewatch it since) or going all out with a three-course meal at a cosy local restaurant.

…But also saying no. Self-care isn’t just about slathering on an extra layer of moisturiser (though I stand by my earlier point on that). It’s also about setting boundaries. You won’t feel happy or comfortable forcing yourself into plans you secretly dread – like going ice skating when you’re the only one who wasn’t born with blades on their feet. Lovely idea in theory, not so much in practice. If the people around you truly care, they’ll understand if you say, “Not this time.” And who knows? It might even inspire them to rethink their own boundaries too.

Go on that crisp walk. It’s very tempting to stay cosy inside, but if the sun is out, so am I. Sunny days are rare in winter, so you’ve got to take advantage. To me, there’s no better feeling than coming back into my warm home after a walk in the cold, with frigid toes and red cheeks. Taking care of myself, getting warm again, and feeling gratitude for the roof over my head.

Try new activities. Why not sign up for a pottery workshop, a poetry class, a coffee-tasting event? Or, as I did, finally click on that Skillshare referral link after watching one too many ads from your favourite YouTuber (or use my link for a free month, and I’ll get one too!). Winter is the perfect time to dive into hobbies that let you stay cosy indoors while exploring something new.

A building at night with glowing windows and Christmas trees visible inside.

Building warmth through connection

Check in on loved ones. Winter can be tough for everyone. A simple call, message, or visit can brighten someone’s day.

Write letters. Handwritten notes or postcards add a personal touch. They don’t need to be Christmas-themed – a random “thinking of you” letter works wonders.

Snow. I know it’s not always pleasant, but snow makes me feel like a kid again. If you’re at home, cuddle up in a blanket and watch it through the window. Or take a walk in nature with a friend. Avoid the city if you can – people tend to get stressed in urban areas where snow isn’t managed well. If you live in Canada, scratch that last sentence. I spent four years in Toronto, and I’m still amazed at how life goes on, even after a snowstorm. I miss it.

Stroll through bookstores or museums. Whether it’s an afternoon at a café or wandering an art gallery, these quiet outings feel perfect in winter.