Learning to Slow Down in Winter as a California Kid

I grew up in California, where winter means you might throw on a sweater in the morning, only to regret it by noon when the sun reminds you that seasons are just a suggestion. There’s no snow to shovel, no frozen windshield to scrape, and the most “wintery” thing about it is maybe, maybe wearing boots for fashion rather than function.

So, this year, as I found myself in a real winter—one with early sunsets, biting air, and a landscape drained of its usual green vibrance—I felt off. My body, accustomed to movement, outdoor adventures, and perpetual sunshine, rebelled against the slower pace. I resisted the urge to hibernate, feeling guilty for the days when I just wanted to do less.

But as the weeks passed, something shifted. I realized that winter isn’t just about cold and darkness; it’s an invitation to slow down, to listen, and to embrace a different rhythm. So, instead of fighting it, I started learning how to winter. Here’s what’s been helping:

1. Trading Hustle for Rest

California energy is go-go-go. But winter teaches something different: that rest isn’t laziness—it’s necessary. The world slows down in winter for a reason, and maybe we should, too. I’ve been allowing myself to sleep in a little longer, take deeper breaths, and let quiet moments be just that—quiet.

2. Leaning Into Cozy Rituals

I used to think the idea of hygge—that Danish concept of coziness—was just an aesthetic Instagram trend. But this winter, I finally get it. Lighting candles at dusk, drinking tea in oversized sweaters, curling up with a book while the world outside feels still—these things feel like little acts of self-care that make winter feel welcoming rather than something to endure.

3. Moving Differently

I’ve always associated movement with high energy—hiking, running, swimming. But winter has taught me a new relationship with movement. I’ve swapped beach runs for slow morning yoga, long hikes for gentle walks in the crisp air. I’m learning that movement doesn’t always have to be intense to be meaningful.

4. Surrendering to the Season

Winter forces us to be more present. There’s something about bare trees and quiet streets that makes you reflect, whether you want to or not. It’s a season of introspection, of sitting with yourself without distraction. It’s uncomfortable at times, but I’m realizing that’s where growth happens.

5. Remembering That Spring Will Come

It’s easy to feel like winter is endless, but seasons are proof that nothing stays the same. The quiet, the stillness, even the parts that feel heavy—it’s all temporary. Just as the trees will bud and the warmth will return, so too will energy, excitement, and movement. Winter is just part of the cycle, not the whole story.

So, if you’re struggling to slow down this season, if you’re feeling restless in the cold, I get it. But maybe winter isn’t something to push through—it’s something to lean into.

Maybe, just maybe, slowing down isn’t losing anything at all. It’s just making space for what’s next.