Writer Wednesday - A Little Winter Introspection

A Little Winter Introspection

By Kelli A. Wilkins 

Hello everyone! 

It’s February, and we’re in the throes of winter. Depending on where you live, it might be seasonably cold and rainy, or you could be suffering with bouts of ice and snow. Either way, for me (and most folks) winter tends to be an “inside” time. 

I find myself spending the winter months catching up on my reading, watching movies, and of course organizing/purging accumulated stuff as I do my pre-spring cleaning. I’m inside anyway, so why not? (I know I won’t be interested in cleaning up the cellar when it’s gorgeous outside in April.) 

I use this indoor “hibernation” time to sort the piles of saved paper, magazine articles, catalogs, ads, and all the other stuff that built up over the holidays. I file last year’s bills and make way for a fresh (hopefully clutter-free) start to this year. Sorting through my clutter keeps me busy and gives me a feeling of accomplishment. If you need suggestions on how to start your own decluttering project, there are lots of “How to Get Organized” books out there. Check your local library for titles. 

But winter isn’t just for organizing in the physical world — it’s a great time for introspection and reflection. If you have free time, you might consider journaling. Perhaps you want to start the year with a new outlook on life, or you need to write about events that took place last year. Journaling your thoughts and feelings helps you process them. You could also start a gratitude journal or begin a simple meditation practice. 

Almost everyone rushes to make New Year’s resolutions in January, but now that the post-holiday excitement has settled, take a few moments to think about what you want to accomplish this year. Do you have personal or professional goals? Jot down a few things you want to do this year, then see what steps you can take to get started. 

Gardeners (like me) often use this time to mentally plan their spring planting projects. I find myself contemplating what I’ll plant where, wondering if my transplanted tulips and roses will take, and pining for spring that’s still far off. It’s not a coincidence that gardening/flower/seed catalogs are mailed out in the winter. They know people are looking forward to the warmer spring days! 

You can use this inside time to brainstorm ways to enjoy the upcoming year. Are there any local trips you want to take? Do you have a big vacation planned? (Do you want to plan one?) Are there friends or family members you didn’t see last year that you want to visit this year? Are you looking to add more fun into your life? Want to go to more concerts and/or plays? How about redecorating or repainting a room in the house? 

Winter is a good time to make plans and get some project prep work done. For instance, make reservations for a trip (or get all the details squared away), check out concert schedules and order tickets, clear out unwanted stuff from the room you’re going to paint and start looking at paint colors. This not only gives you a head start on your project, but it gives you something to look forward to. 

If you’re suffering from a bit of cabin fever (or seasonal boredom/depression), try to get out of the house and socialize. I schedule one or two days a week where I go somewhere and/or do something different for a few hours, just for a change of scenery. If the weather permits, walk in a park or along the beach. Visit antique stores or museums. Go to lunch or dinner with friends or family. Have people over for game night or movie night. You could explore a new hobby or take online classes. 

Winter will be here for a little while longer, so we might as well use this time to make plans for later in the year. Because if you’re like me, the minute the weather is warmer, I’ll be running out the door to celebrate the spring season. 

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20+ romance novels, and 8 mystery/horror ebooks. Her latest release, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in January 2025. In August 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. In addition to her fiction, Kelli has written Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing, Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love, and You Can Write—Really! A Beginner’s Guide to Writing Fiction. Visit her website www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and social media links.