A Walk in the Snow
Graphic by Catherina Jiang
Thoughts | Aanya Oswal-Monteiro
The cold creeps in.
It starts slow at first,
but soon engulfs you,
all the way from the tips of your fingers
Down to your toes.
One layer,
and then another one.
As boots crunch the snow,
cheeks prickle at the gust of cold.
The final autumn leaves fall;
naked branches stretching out.
Reds and yellows replaced
with muted browns and whites,
sounds hanging in the air
in little clouds.
Who can deny
the unbridled, child-like wonder
at the sight of fresh,
falling snow?
Blanketed in white,
and all is silent.
Silent, except for the whistling of the wind.
For a moment, it seems the world is still.
In the quiet of this scene,
I find solace in nature's arms,
Like a faraway land,
From a dream.
And I breathe.
***
As someone who has never loved the cold, nor is accustomed to it, winter is a difficult and dreaded season. I want to reframe it as something beautiful. Here are some tips to combat the wintertime sadness so you can appreciate the world around you.
Spend time with people! Getting out of bed and seeing your loved ones is always a good remedy for the 5:00 pm sunsets. From going to the Christmas Market in the Distillery District to watching a Christmas movie with hot chocolate wearing your pjs, this is a guaranteed way to lift your spirits.
Find cosy places around campus to study. My personal favourites are the University College area, either the main UC building or even Hart House. Sitting by a window brings a newfound appreciation of the season, making the experience of being alone reflective and calming. Winter, I find, is the ideal time to reset and ground yourself.
Going outside is so important. I cannot stress this enough. Pull on your coat and take a walk. The feeling of coming back home and slowly warming up is unparalleled.