My love for winter, cozy meals, and slowing down
When I allowed myself to change, I discovered an even deeper sense of who I am. And I love it.
Today is my birthday, and on my birthday, I get reflective. I think one of the most profound things I’ve learned in my 31 years of life is the fact that I am an ever changing human being. While there are some aspects of my self that are deeply rooted at my core (I think writing will always sit there), I find there is still so much I’m learning about myself, so much that is changing from who I thought I was. And the profound part is allowing myself to lean into those changes.
One of them is my new love for winter.
I used to really hate the bitter, cold months. Being a February birthday girl, I always detested how my birthday couldn’t be celebrated at the beach or with a backyard barbecue like my brothers’ birthdays in July. It was cold, snowy, dreary, gray. The glimmers of pink from Valentine’s Day certainly would help, as well as my mother’s tradition of giving me a gift every single day of the week leading up to my birthday. But I longed for the sun and warmth and to throw my coat back into my closet.
Yet in the past couple years, my love for winter has changed. Winter is calmer, cozier, and care free. I read The Little Book of Hygge one year that taught me the traditions of hygge and cozying up during the winter. A warm meal on the stove, a homemade loaf of bread, fuzzy socks, a crackling fire, a warm blanket, a good book. When I finally allowed myself to really lean into these simple pleasures, it made me wonder how I could have ever hated winter in the first place.
Except deep down, a part of me has always known why I dreaded the long, cold winter months. Winter forces you to slow down in a way that other seasons don’t, and I’ve never been good at slowing down. After the holidays, the winter months are a season of reflection and hibernation. Between January and March I have less things going on in my life. My weekends are spent in slower motion compared to the summer—a typical weekend right now consists of reading an entire book under a blanket. In my 20s, this type of slow lifestyle would have driven me nuts. (I need to hit all of those new year goals!) But now, feeling more settled with myself and allowing myself the space to breathe and relax and—god forbid—take a nap? I find I crave the winter months more than anything.
People have always told me that when you hit your 30s, you finally feel a little more settled in your skin. Maybe it’s not true for everyone, but I personally agree with this statement. When I finally allowed myself to just be myself —with the shape of my body, with the ways I like to spend my time, with the career path I chose, with the the timeline I decided for my life—I felt more settled in who I am. I felt more comfortable with being the kind of person who slows down during the winter and enjoying the calm, quiet breezes and the soft trickling of snow. I am happy with the size of my waist and the way I look in my clothes.
Maybe my love for winter will change someday and I’ll go back to being the kind of girl who goes feral for the summer months. But you know what? I’ve learned that it’s okay to keep changing. Because when I welcome this kind of change in my life, I’m allowing myself to be the truest version of who I am. And what a gift it is to live that way.
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Two yummy eats today, perfect for your Super Bowl hangs this weekend!
This Texas Trash Dip is way better than the seven-layer dip you’re thinking about making, mostly because it’s a warm, cheesy bean dip rather than a cold one. You could still top it with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa to get that seven-layer effect, but in my opinion, this dip is way better.
Try the recipe now on The Kitchn.
As for your cocktail, you might as well sip on Taylor Swift’s favorite new beverage, given that we’re going to be rooting for her boyfriend and all that! This French Blonde is made with Lillet Blanc, St-Germain, gin, and grapefruit. If you love a sweet and sour drink, I highly recommend.
Try the recipe now on The Kitchn.
And now, for some of my most recent articles:
15 Books to Read After Crescent City (The Everygirl)
I Tried Travis Kelce’s Favorite “Magic Crescent Rolls” (The Kitchn)
The only 9 restaurants in the U.S. featured in the Michelin guide (Stacker)