Add order note
The Art of Wintering with Jodie Rogers
Follow Jodie on Instagram, TikTok, and Substack for more wisdom and warmth.
For those who don't know you, please could you introduce yourself?
Hello, I'm Jodie! A Yoga teacher, creator and writer. A lot of my work focuses on themes around slower, seasonal living and rest.
What does slow living mean to you and what exactly is seasonal living?
To me, slow living means a couple of things... It's allowing myself to go at a slower pace physically, so not trying to cram so much into my days, but it also speaks to something bigger around the choices I make to make life feel more simple. It comes back to this idea of how I can make life easier and more enjoyable for myself. Seasonal living ties into this, as it's basically living in alignment with the pace of the seasons throughout the year and the natural cycles we see around us. It's allowing yourself to be a part of it and being in tune with the changes.
Sometimes, the shorter days and darker evenings can be a little depressing. How do you lean in and embrace the cold, winter darkness?
They really can be. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is real and something to be taken seriously if it's feeling like too much. In terms of leaning into it and embracing it, that's where seasonal living has really helped. A major thing for me is adapting my routines. I tend to sleep a little longer this time of year, think more about lighting in the morning to give me a boost of energy, and use these months as a time to rest. I also try to actively find the beauty in it, so I'll go for walks in nature spotting the signs of the season changing and shifting. In moments it does feel hard, also reminding myself that it's temporary, and soon the cycle will begin again.
We often feel in need of a little extra TLC in the winter! What are your three biggest self-care tips for the months ahead?
Starting with a simple one, but making you're warm enough! Wear all the layers and invest in some wool socks - if you feel cold it can be hard to soften and relax. It taps into that first tip, but I also love indulging in baths this time of year, I try to have one once a week to warm my bones. I think the whole process of taking that time for yourself is self-care in itself! Lastly, engaging with rest practices. One of my favourites is Yoga Nidra (Deep Sleep Rest) for 15-20 minutes of deep relaxation, but also just getting earlier nights and allowing for slower mornings. If there's a time of year to rest more, it's now.
What's your advice for anyone struggling with productivity and feeling like they're not doing enough at the moment?
Typically this time of year our energy levels are lower, naturally this means we find it harder to be productive. I think it's really important to check-in with where this messaging around not doing enough is coming from, are you really not doing or enough? Or is it just that society has told us we constantly need to be on? If you need to, give yourself permission to soften, rest really is productive too.
Winter is often associated with lower energy - what are some gentle ways to stay active?
I love gentle Yoga flows and walks for this time of year. Both are gentle yet amazing ways to stay fit and active.
How do you wind down in the evenings after a long day?
This really depends on the kind of day I've had. If I've been indoors quite a bit, it's actually a walk that helps me switch off and reset. I also love cooking more this time of year, so being in the kitchen listening to music and making something hearty is one of my favourite ways to relax. I'm almost always reading in the evenings too.
Your home is SO cosy. What sensory elements (like scents, textures, or sounds) help you feel more comfortable and at ease during the winter?
Thank you! We've been slowly redecorating over the past few years to create our little cosy sanctuary. Scent is a huge thing for me, I love how grounding and earthy the MIRROR WATER SMOOTH Body Oil and RUB Solid Balm is so they've been gorgeous to use in the evening. Lighting is also a big thing for me in winter, so I'll almost always have candles lit to soften the darkness and bring light into the space.
Winter often invites reflection. What practices help you look back on the past year with gratitude and look forward with intention?
Journaling, for sure. I always start to feel reflective this time of year, so I tend to journal on those thoughts and feelings. I also run a Monthly Journaling Club which has invited even more of this into my life, the accountability of doing it monthly and as part of a collective makes the practice feel even more meaningful. I also love a vision board, so each season I'll make a new one to reflect how I want to feel.
Please could you recommend three cosy books to read over the winter months ahead?
Oooh, I love this question. First up, I'd say Wintering by Katherine May - it's a gorgeous exploration of the winter months and that invitation to rest. In a practical sense, I really like dipping in and out of A Year of Living Simply by Kate Humble. And lastly, a non-fiction book I read recently and adored was The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, it's a little longer so you really get to know the characters and become invested in them - perfect to get stuck into this time of year.