The Problem with Winter
The reason why people dread the cold, and how to survive it
Summertime in Finland is amazing. It feels so good to leave the house without the burden of carrying heavy jackets and gloves. The windows are left open in my apartment. There’s a constant buzz of excitement and adventure in the city. People open up like blooming flowers in the light of the sun.
If you know anything about this side of the world, it’s this: people are not really known for being loud, open, and bombastic. Personal space and being chronically aware of it are almost cultural norms. During the pandemic, there was a joke that the recommended distance people were mandated to adhere to when standing next to each other was way closer than Finns naturally stood. It is an exaggeration, of course, but there’s a kernel of truth in it.
Point is, when the country is brighter and warmer, the people are comparatively more easygoing. So I feel like when people talk about looking forward to summer on this side of the world, they’re referring to more than just the weather. It’s deeper than that. When the grip of winter begins to loosen after months, it stands to reason that people feel more hopeful, more full of life. For a big portion of people, the opposite is true. The fading light and the ever-cooling days—on the road to winter—are depressing.
I remember my excitement with the changing seasons when I first arrived in Finland all those years ago. Seeing the sun go down at 3 p.m. was truly fascinating to me. It evoked images of coziness, warm blankets, and hot chocolate. As a kid growing up in South Africa, those kinds of days were way less common than warm, bright, sweaty days.
The first two weeks, I was still caught up in wonder. Going to sleep when it’s dark, then waking up and it’s still dark. It was exciting because it was novel. But as time went on, things began to change. Waking up in the dark, coming home after work in the dark. Days felt short. My energy levels began to plummet. I felt like I was sleeping all the time. It wasn’t fun anymore.
There was a short reprieve when the snow first fell. It lit up the city and evoked images of Narnia as the golden light from the street lamps bounced off the thick white snow. It was a winter wonderland. After Christmas and New Year’s, however, it also got kind of old. At this point, I found myself looking up at the grey sky, wishing for a short glimpse of the sun. As the days, weeks, and months rolled by and the sun remained hidden, it slowly became a distant memory. The dark and cold were all I knew.
Okay, that is a little dramatised, but it’s true. Just like I explained earlier, the effect had a deeper impact on society in general. Life slowed down dramatically. There were fewer events, less laughter. Folk walked around hooded and clothed in thick jackets to keep the cold at bay. Not many people want to stay out in the open for a moment longer than necessary. Which is perfectly understandable, seeing that it gets ridiculously cold.All this is bad enough, but it’s the mental and emotional toll of all these factors that make it difficult. I know people who find this time almost intolerable. There are also others who thrive in the world of grey skies and white snow.
It’s the beginning of September, and the weather is slowly changing. I’m going to ask my girlfriend, who’s Finnish and has spent her whole life in this country, to tell us what she thinks:
“I feel kind of divided about it. I have a part of me that is excited about change and another part of me that is sad to see summer go. Because in summer I have a lot more free time. It’s a time to relax. A time of freedom. You can just go outside whenever you like without thinking about carrying a huge jacket. Seeing the weather turn can be depressing at times, but also exciting. For me, the change of season also affects my work—so this season coming now means more work. I love what I do, so that’s not a problem. I personally really enjoy the autumn as well.
The beginning of the change into winter has a beautiful atmosphere. The coziness is beautiful. The sun starts to go down earlier. I love it. But unfortunately, things begin to feel different when the dark is absolute. Waking up in the dark and going to sleep in the dark. That sucks. For me, when that happens it all depends on how I see things. I try and take more time for myself. I make sure to feel alright with the fact that not a lot of things are taking place. It’s like learning to be alright with yourself. I also understand that I might not have as much energy as I have in the summer. It’s true that I don’t really love winter when it’s at its darkest point. But I try and focus on the good things that only winter can offer. I have more time to be around the people that I love and care about. More time to focus on the beautiful connections that I have, like my friends and family.”
I resonate with a lot of that. Someone once said that the biggest pains in life usually come from fear of the future or regret from the past. I agree with that. Working hard to live in the present moment is the sweet spot. I don’t always get it right. But it’s a great reminder.
Yes, there are aspects of winter that can be quite daunting. But I want to put something forward to you. When it’s cold and dark, it feels like nature itself goes to sleep. The issue I fell into when I moved here was expecting myself to feel the same during that time. To have the same energy levels. To operate the same in life. But that’s not true. Just like with everything in life, you have to learn to adapt. There are practical things you can do, like taking vitamin D, as an example. Or buying lights that mimic sunshine. However, I think the biggest shift needs to be done in the mind. Nature sleeps in winter. Things slow down. This should be something that we accept. Talking from personal experience, a lot of stress and worry weighed heavy on my shoulders when I found my energy levels to be lacking. I thought there was something wrong with me. Little did I know—this was natural. It’s completely alright. There was nothing wrong with me.
Instead of dreading winter, I will try and embrace it. I will focus on the things that I can control. I will make sure to dress warm and to see the stark golden-red beauty of autumn. Shortly after that, I will rest in the cold, dark, peaceful winter. I believe that it will be a great time for inner growth and creation. For cozy nights, candles, and hopefully a lot of writing and more videos like this.
Thank you for watching. Be blessed.
Watch the video version HERE