On Winter

New Tuesday Class, Baltimore Events, It's Cold

As I write this it is 41 degrees F (5 degrees C) outside. It’s early morning, and birds are talking to each other. Trees are standing their ground as the late Autumn wind encourages each and every last leaf to find its way to the ground. I am drinking a hot coffee, and looking for the words to express how all of this makes me feel.

I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland so the concept of four seasons, two of which are very cold, grey, and dark, isn’t a surprise or mystery to me. I lived in Berlin, Germany for four Winters, submitting to the freeze year after year. I have a collection of big, warm Winter coats, most of which I’ve been wearing since my teenage years. I still love the coats, and most still fit like a glove.

However, something has changed since my teenage years in regard to my body’s ability to welcome and embrace the colder seasons. I have noticed less and less willingness to face the cold, and more and more retreating into my home and myself. I know there is an entire city of people surrounding me going through the exact same season, experiencing the dark afternoons, early sunsets, frigid mornings. Even if I don’t see as many people on the streets, I have faith that they are still surrounding and hibernating somewhere.

Ever since the temperature dropped, my motivation and mood have tried to go down with it. It can be so challenging to find the will to move my body, be creative, leave the house. This is standard Winter behavior— it happens to so many of us.

Yesterday I decided to make a list of Baltimore activities to combat the seasonal feelings of blaaaahhhh. Here are some things happening this week:

• Attend Más Movimiento’s first Tuesday evening candlelit class (6pm) !!!! 12/3

• Monument lighting in Mt. Vernon on Wednesday 12/4

• Visit the BMA (look for the Nasca ceramics) open late on Thursdays 12/5

• Live jazz at Faddensonnen on Thursdays 12/12

• Watch “Flow” at the Charles this Friday 12/6

• Explore SCRAP Baltimore and create something with your hands (amazing amazing amazing)

One of the hardest parts of doing anything in the Winter is putting on all of the layers of clothing, figure out the plan, and find the will to open the door and show up. Hopefully, by having a few options here one step in that process is a little bit easier for you.

The beautiful thing about many options on this list is that they have the potential to become part of a Fall/Winter routine. Creating a consistent plan of community-based, indoor, low/no-cost ways to spend my time this Winter is one way I can embrace the season. I hope to cross paths with you in some of these spaces, and until then I hope you stay warm and rested.

Sending a Big Hug,

Ania

(photo by @thatoldhype on IG)