Wintering by Katherine May Summary

Wintering explores how to navigate life’s challenging periods—illness, loss, or emotional upheaval—by embracing rest and introspection. Katherine May intertwines personal memoir with insights from nature, literature, and folklore, framing “wintering” as a necessary, transformative season of retreat. The book emphasizes finding solace in small rituals, like cold-water swimming or baking, to rebuild resilience.

This book resonates with anyone facing adversity, burnout, or transitional phases. It’s ideal for readers seeking comfort in nature-inspired wisdom or those interested in memoirs blending personal struggle with philosophical reflection. Fans of lyrical prose and themes like cyclical resilience will find it particularly compelling.

Yes, particularly for its poetic exploration of hardship as a natural, restorative process. May’s blend of vulnerability and practical advice—such as reframing insomnia as creative time—offers actionable insights. Critics praise its evocative storytelling, though some note its metaphors may feel abstract for readers seeking direct self-help guidance.

May defines wintering as a fallow period of life where one feels “cut off from progress,” whether due to illness, grief, or stagnation. It’s a metaphorical winter: a time to retreat, heal, and draw strength from stillness, much like nature’s dormant seasons.

Key themes include embracing life’s cyclicality, finding joy in small daily rituals, and learning from nature’s resilience. May also discusses societal pressures to avoid vulnerability, advocating for self-care as a radical act. The book weaves personal anecdotes with references to dormice hibernation and Arctic survival.

May highlights cold-water swimming, mindful cooking, and walking in nature as grounding rituals. She also advocates “active acceptance”—like using sleepless nights for creative work—to reframe hardship. These practices aim to foster patience and connection during emotional winters.

The book normalizes periods of depression or anxiety as natural “winters,” urging readers to honor—not resist—their emotional landscapes. May’s struggles with insomnia and her son’s school refusal illustrate how wintering can alleviate shame around mental health crises.

Some readers find its focus on personal privilege (e.g., coastal living, travel) limits relatability for those without resources to “retreat.” Others argue its abstract metaphors lack concrete steps for immediate crisis management, though many praise its philosophical depth.

May parallels human struggles with natural phenomena—dormant trees, hibernating animals—to illustrate resilience through stillness. For example, she compares her insomnia to a “snow globe settling” and cites Icelandic winter traditions to model embracing darkness.

• “Wintering is a season in the cold… a time to retreat and heal.”
• “The inky hours are also for writing: the scratch and flow of pen on good paper.”

These lines encapsulate the book’s core message: finding purpose in rest and creativity during adversity.

Unlike tactical self-help guides, Wintering prioritizes philosophical reflection over step-by-step solutions. It complements works like The Comfort Book by Matt Haig but stands apart with its nature-centric, memoir-driven approach to emotional recovery.

In an era of constant productivity, May’s case for cyclical rest remains urgent. The book’s themes align with growing conversations around burnout and mental health, offering a timeless antidote to society’s “always-on” expectations.