Books Wintering  by Katherine May (Author)

"Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times" by Katherine May is a memoir and meditation on the importance of embracing difficult, dormant periods in life—what the author calls "wintering." May uses the metaphor of winter from the natural world, where animals and plants slow down, adapt, and conserve energy, to explore how humans too can benefit from times of rest, retreat, and healing during life's hardships.​

The book weaves together May’s personal experiences with illness, family challenges, and career changes alongside rich explorations of natural cycles, folklore, literature, and cultural rituals surrounding winter. She encourages readers to accept sadness and struggle as part of the human experience, to slow down and seek nurturing activities like sea swimming, resting, and reflection, rather than resisting these phases. The narrative is both poetic and practical, blending insights from nature and psychology with personal stories.