A Phrase for the Season

Hullo and Happy New Year! I did not intend to take all of last week off from the blog and, in my defense, I did try to post on Friday, but WordPress was being dumb and I couldn’t make things work. In any case, here we are, the first Monday of 2026, raring to go. Okay, maybe not raring, but at least ready. Okay, maybe not even ready, but at least present.

For many years I have chosen a word for the year and, while I have learned a lot through that ritual, I am not doing it this year. Instead, I am going forward with the idea of choosing a seasonal theme. I’ve actually been doing this for the last 6 months, first with the Summer of Sway and then with Rooted in Enchantment for the fall. The phrase I have chosen for the winter season is

This, too, is living . . . meet it with mercy.

In essence, it captures the idea that I want to be open to the experience of this season, I don’t want to grin and bear it and see it as something to endure until spring arrives. I want to stop bracing myself for the misery of it and instead I want to meet it honestly, allowing the season to be what it is and allowing myself to be changed by it even if I don’t love it. This phrase is a comforting reminder that this is a season and it will pass and I’m meant to be living my life to the fullest while it does. It’s not about trying to fix me or convince me that I love the cold, it’s about standing beside me and saying my life counts even here. It’s a reminder that even the cold, tired, cranky moments are part of a full life.

I hope it works. And if it doesn’t, well, spring is only 74 days away.

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Comments (7)

  1. As queen of the attitude, you have hit this one out of the park, Carole. Yes, be joyful when you can, tolerate what you must, and spring is only 74 days away. This, too, shall pass away.

  2. I really like your phrase idea and this current one seems perfect! 74 days is not that long! Good luck with getting back to reality today.

  3. I had only scrolled down far enough to read “This, too …” and wondered if the rest of it was “shall pass.” That may be my phrase for the foreseeable future. I hope your phrase works well for you this winter!

  4. What a lovely way to look at things that aren’t always how you want them. I like this idea very much! (and Happy New Year, my friend! XO)

  5. That’s a beautiful sentiment, Carole. And a terrific way to celebrate the cold and dreary season that IS winter, whether we like it or not. Here’s to a mercy-filled season. XO

  7. I’m a new reader and I can relate to this post. I am not a winter person, and on top of that, I just had hip surgery to repair a tendon, so I’m not going for walks. Thankfully I can still knit, or I’d be off to the funny farm already.
    Thankfully you for sharing your coping strategy.

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