Summary
Catherine May, author of "Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times," explores the concept of "wintering" as a metaphor for enduring life's hardships. She defines wintering as both a natural process for plants and animals during winter and a reflection of personal struggles when individuals feel isolated or frozen in difficult times. May emphasizes that these periods are a normal part of life, not a personal failure, and can ultimately lead to valuable growth and understanding.
The conversation also delves into the impact of social media on perceptions of hardship, where curated portrayals of others' lives can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy. May critiques the culture of "toxic positivity" that often dismisses genuine struggles, advocating instead for a more authentic sharing of experiences. She encourages individuals to embrace their challenges and find solace in community and nature, highlighting the importance of rituals and moments of rest as essential tools for navigating life's inevitable downturns.
May shares personal anecdotes of her own experiences with wintering, including a challenging period in her life marked by illness and family crises. She underscores the significance of acceptance and the transformative power of acknowledging difficult emotions. The discussion concludes with practical advice on managing insomnia and the value of reading, particularly poetry and children's literature, as a means of comfort and reflection during tough times.
Show Notes
Winter is coming. The author of Wintering on weathering the cold, dark seasons, literally and otherwise, with rituals, cold-water swimming, reading in the middle of the night, and a lesson from a hibernating dormouse. Katherine May is the New York Times bestselling author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. She is an internationally renowned writer, podcaster and speaker whose work touches on nature, spirituality, slow living, and neurodivergence; her podcast is The Clearing. Katherine lives by the sea in Whitstable, UK, with her husband, son, and pets. In this episode we talk about: What "wintering" means, and why hard seasons aren't personal failures How trees and a hibernating dormouse model surviving the cold Katherine's year of cascading disasters while writing Wintering The difference between control and agency when the world feels overwhelming How fear spreads online like rabbits fleeing danger signals Why rest isn't selfish, and how caregivers are denied it Rejecting performative rest, ice-bath bros, and biohacked cold-water swimming Simple rituals, "first and second sleep," and reading through insomnia Get the 10% with Dan Harris app here Sign up for Dan's free newsletter here Follow Dan on social: Instagram, TikTok Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Additional Resources: This episode is sponsored by: Planet Visionaries: In partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, listen to or watch Planet Visionaries wherever you get your podcasts. Instant Hydration: For a better way to stay hydrated, go to instanthydration.com/10happier and use my promo code 10HAPPIER for over 40% off your first subscription order - it's Instant Hydration's best offer available. Vinted: Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller's fees so you keep everything you earn. OSEA: Go to OSEAMalibu.com and get 10% off your first order with code HAPPIER. To advertise on the show, contact [email protected] or visit https://advertising.libsyn.com/10HappierwithDanHarris
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