Inquisitive Adventures

As the days shorten and darkness takes up more of our days, we can slip into the winter blues. I live in a state where I have the blessing of experiencing each season in full. The official first day of winter is still approaching, but we have already had our first few snowfalls. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I love all of the seasons, including winter. I love the cold and snow and all the things that come with it. 

One of my favorite winter activities is winter walks. There is something about cold crisp air, the beauty of snow, and the peaceful quiet that is healing and brings peace to my soul. I am naturally drawn to things that require endurance and strength. One of my favorite hobbies has been running half marathons. This year, however, I’ve had to make changes because, in this season of my life, it is not healthy for me to push myself through distance running. Instead, I’ve embraced winter walks, which will hopefully lead to winter hikes, and I look forward to sharing the stories they bring with you. This is one of the ways I am committing to creating adventure in a time when my life feels more ordinary than I would like. 

Winter walks allow me to re-create this season of my life in a way that feels more authentic to my true self. Even in the quieter seasons of life, there is still beauty and strength. There’s something about the cold that wakes me up, both physically and inwardly. It clears my mind and helps me breathe a little deeper. It tells my heart I am still alive and there is meaning when we slow down and gently challenge ourselves. 

There is something about this process that draws me closer to God. I think sometimes we can forget that God enjoys walking with us, even in winter, and we can meet Him there in the stillness. In these quiet steps, He helps keep the heaviness of the season at bay and reminds us that we are never walking alone. 

May your winter walks—whether outside or within—remind you that quiet adventure is still adventure, and that beauty can be found even in the slowest seasons.