Hibernation Hobbies: Surviving the Dark Seasons in MN (Part 1)

Do you feel that? The chill off the lake? The peace that flows through a body in the blue hours of the morning? It could mean only one thing: the dark seasons have arrived, and so has hibernation.

 

An Introduction to Hibernation and the Dark Seasons

“What are the dark seasons?” you may ask. Easy–they’re the seasons of the year where the days get shorter and the nights stretch longer. We are not bears or frogs, we do not hunker down in dens or mud pits to hibernate through the winter. You may wake up in the blue light of early morning, drive to work as the sun rises, and return home in the dark. It’s a slow time of year, one where many people struggle with keeping their mental state stable due to the lack of sunlight and activities. Well, I should say, the assumed lack of activities.

“Assumed?” you say, “what do you mean ‘assumed’?” Well you can’t very well go to the beach anymore, can you? Nor can you pack up and go for a hike as easily as you would otherwise. Driving takes more effort, and everything is dark sooner and generally colder, so you hardly want to sit on your porch anymore. But that doesn’t mean there’s a lack of things to do. Not all hibernation hobbies are just for these darker, colder seasons of fall and winter, but they do go hand in hand with the cozy, comforting, hygge vibe we all want to curate.

Low Commitment Hibernation Hobbies

As stated in the title, this is a two-part post. Part two will be linked here once it’s available, but for this one, let’s just start with what I call “low commitment” hobbies. During the dark seasons, people often pick up new interests, only to abandon them once the sun is out longer and their regular activities are viable again. And that is completely okay! That is why this post – Hibernation Hobbies Part 1 – is about those things that are easy to pick up and put down at your leisure, without taking too big of a chunk out of your wallet or your time!

Writing

Have you ever read anything and wanted more of that? Or perhaps you get little story ideas but don’t know what to do with them? Writing is an easy, accessible hobby that can go everywhere with you. All you need is a favorite pen and notebook, or a laptop, or even your smartphone. Whether you explore what could have been for your favorite characters via fanfiction, or what is for your own characters in a work of fiction, or even if you just love reading scientific papers and want to try your hand at researching and writing one yourself! Writing is one of the best hibernation hobbies (in my humble opinion) and is a perfect hobby to curate hygge vibes for. Light candles, put on cozy socks, snuggle in a blanket, and let your mind (and your pen) wander.

If you’ve thought about starting writing but don’t know what to do with it, that’s okay! Once you start writing, you are under no obligation to ever share it with anyone. Sharing your part is your own choice, and happens on your own time, if ever at all. Still, snuggling up by an open window, hearing the soft whispers of snowfall, and breathing in the fresh pine air is one of the best ways to inspire a writing mind.

Junk Journaling

Do you collect too many random things? Maybe ticket stubs, leaves, receipts, spare buttons, and business cards with no use for them? Don’t just throw them away or clutter a part of your home with them – make a junk journal! All you need is a notebook, glue or double sided tape, maybe some markers and stickers if you’re feeling fancy, and all the little things you want to keep. Turn days or weekends into spreads where you can look back on the most random little aspects of it.

Junk journals are perfect for slow vacations too! Book a trip to a cozy little location and you don’t even have to do much – just save the business cards, leaves, sticks, and receipts and turn it into a two-page spread of all the little moments of your trip. To get started, check out some junk journaling inspiration here!

Sketching and Watercolors

Like with writing, all you need is a paper and pen to begin sketching!

Nothing has to be perfect. Sketches are a way for us to connect loosely and freely with our art and the world around us. Sit yourself at your favorite part in your house, or stay in a cozy cabin. Set the scene; settle in and make it cozy. Then, grab your pen or pencil, a notebook or piece of scrap paper, and doodle what you see. That’s the best place to start–with what you know. As your hand and mind warm up, let your imagination drive your pencil. Maybe you drew  your tea cup to start, but now you see a lady drinking tea in your mind’s eye. Or perhaps your mind shifts to something completely different and you see a young girl in gákti or a knight. It could be as complex as a castle or as simple as a flower. It has value because you made it.

If you find you like traditional art and want to spruce up your doodles, consider picking up a tin of watercolors! I personally use this one. It has a large array and was actually quite cheap! Besides, it’s super easy to bring with you places–just toss your sketchbook, pen/pencil, and watercolor tin in a bag and off you go!

Mindfulness Walks

There’s a Norwegian saying I grew up hearing: “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlig klær!” or, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing!” My dad would often repeat it to me before we went on walks or hikes on less-than-ideal days. Snow, rain, sleet–none of it could stop us from pulling on the correct amount of layers, the properly thick mittens, and whatever hat was necessary. And you know what? Even the coldest of days turned lovely when bundled up properly.

Getting outside, even during the dark seasons, is incredibly important. We may not have the sun all day every day, but we still have an innate need for fresh air and connection with nature. Hibernation does not just refer to hunkering down and doing nothing all winter – even the bears leave their dens to stretch their legs!

Find a few minutes out of your day – anywhere from 5 to 30, or maybe more – and dedicate it to go on a walk with no electronic distractions. Use your five senses to take in the world around you. What signs are around you that show the transitions of the seasons? Are there any animals you can hear, or see? Don’t get stuck in your thoughts–allow them to pass by like clouds. You can acknowledge them, but when you start to get stuck and go on a tangent with planning or anything else, find something physical to connect to with one or more of your five senses, and move on. You’ll be amazed at the positive impact on your psyche. My favorite route is through the woods behind the Rec Center!

Cold Swims

I know some of you are shaking your heads at me right now, but give me a chance! I’m not talking about chipping a hole in the ice and jumping in, especially for people with Asthma or POTS, or similar conditions, as those can be exacerbated in freezing water. All I mean is take a moment out of your morning to breathe in the cold air and dip yourself in the lake at least up to your shoulders.

The mammalian diving reflex is triggered when our face comes into contact with cold water. Affecting the Vagus nerve, our heart rates slow, decreasing panic and calming the body. Though you can do this simply by sticking your face in a bucket of ice water if just the thought of walking into an icy lake is enough to make you shiver. Submerging (as much as you can) in a cold lake outdoors does more than slow your heart though – it connects you intently with the earth and the space around you. Scandinavian countries have long championed this practice, and I highly suggest you try it! Afterwards, hop into a hot shower or stop by the lodge for a warm drink!

As always, make sure you take the proper safety precautions to avoid hypothermia!

Candle Decorating

One of the simplest, most beautiful hibernation hobbies – and right in time for the holidays! You don’t have to learn how to melt and mix your own candles, or spend time sourcing beeswax. This form of candle decorating is as simple or as difficult as you want it to be!

The simpler version is thus: take a taper candle of your choice, or really any open-sided candle (taper, pillar, etc), and grab some water-based, non-toxic acrylic paint. Use a regular brush and paint on whatever kinds of designs you’d like! Consider theming them after the season, or even after specific holidays!

For a more complicated way to decorate your candles, pick up some foliage before the ground is covered and dry them off. Then, take your candle (pillar candles work best for this), and lay it on its side. Get wax paper and a blow dryer or iron, and lay the leaf, flower, pine needles, or what have you where you want it to go. Cover with the wax paper, iron or blow dry it until the wax starts to melt just a little, let it cool, then peel the wax paper off. You’re left with beautiful, homemade foliage candles!

Not only is candle decorating one of my favorite hibernation hobbies, it’s one of the best ones for people who like to DIY their holiday gifts. Even if you’re making them just for yourself, these candles will help usher in light, warmth, and hygge to the dark seasons. If you’re looking for a place to start, take a peek at some inspiration I’ve curated just for you!

Don’t forget to check out our Campfire Bay Resort Pinterest, specifically the Hibernation Hobbies board! There, you’ll find inspirations specific to these hobbies discussed here (and a few sneak peeks for Part 2’s post!) Happy crafting, and happy hibernating!