“You haven’t met the new me yet” – Taylor Swift
As the months start to end in ‘-ber’, and the urge to stay wrapped in a blanket all day kicks in, so does my incessant need to create a new winter outfit Pinterest board.
It’s like clockwork‒ the weather drops a few degrees and all of a sudden I convince myself this is the year I get my life together. Before I know it, it’s 2am and I’m curating new playlists, finding new hobbies, and scrolling on Vinted to create a whole new perfect wardrobe.
And it’s not just me; TikTok’s constant recycling of challenges like the ’75 hard’ always regain popularity as the trees lose their leaves.
So why do women gravitate so heavily towards change in winter?
The quiet of winter creates space for introspection, away from pub gardens with friends, girls’ holidays, and busy social calendars. I find myself walking to my lectures, in my big coat and a pair of UGGs, reflecting on the labyrinth of a year I’ve had.
The highs and lows: passed exams, weddings and funerals, and the embarrassing moments I try to convince myself nobody remembers. Everything, all at once, suddenly rushes through my mind.
The kind of memories that prepare me for the year ahead.
Whilst women all over the world are beginning their ‘Winter Arc’, a 90-day wellness challenge, I think it is important to recognise that winter is not merely a time of physical transformation but should also consist of reflection: self-care before self-improvement.
In the natural world, winter is reserved for rest and recovery before the arrival of spring. But the quiet complex processes within the roots, underneath the tree that appears dormant, may be the most important. The roots are strengthened and prepared for the new year. Maybe we should take a leaf out of nature’s book, taking the time to seek clarity and closure from the year’s events before channelling our energy into our beauty and fitness goals.
Women are often socialised to view self-care and self-improvement as synonyms. It’s not inherently wrong to want to try a new workout routine, take up a new hobby or buy a new lipstick. Just don’t forget to give yourself grace in the meantime.