January offers us a time to reset for the year ahead. The first week of the year should feel like a deep breath of cold winter air. It’s a moment to pause, gather ourselves, and reset our priorities. Maybe we can get back to our regular morning ritual of a dog walk with a hot cup of coffee, or finally make time to crack open that new book or take a peaceful hike through the woods.
Here at Snow Peak, we believe nature has the power to restore the human spirit. By reorienting ourselves to the rhythms of nature, we can experience rest and rejuvenation. Each season has a different rhythm and offers different experiences. It’s easy to think of winter as depressing, monotonous, or boring, especially after the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
In reality, winter is nature’s time to rest. Many plants and animals remain dormant and gather energy for the growth of spring. Winter is a season of stillness. Thousands of years ago, when humanity lived more closely with the natural world, the patterns of our existence shifted with the seasons. While modern conveniences separate us from the rhythms of nature, by observing and following nature’s lead, we can still benefit from seasonal moments.
Throughout the first months of the year, we’ll explore the seasonality of winter, offering inspiration for infusing its quiet values into your life. Embracing stillness can take many forms, whether you’re gathered by the fire, baking bread on a snowy afternoon, or venturing out to experience the serene calm of winter.
Here’s some inspiration to get you started:
Ease into the day or wind down for the evening with a hot drink. Try the Takibi Toddy, Spanish Coffee, or Golden Milk Latte. Creating comforting meals during the depths of winter is a form of self-care, and one of these recipes is sure to appeal to your palate. If it’s simply too wet, cold, and rainy to spend much time outside, settle into your favorite chair and enjoy the sights and sounds of a winter afternoon in Mt. Hood National Forest.
Photography by Brandon Scott Herrell
