The Beauty of Winter: What Difficult Seasons Teach Us About Life

Struggling with winter? Find beauty and meaning in life's hardest seasons.

In my home, next to the front door, hangs a painting from my grandpa, who passed in 2024. He was an artist, and when my family went through his collection of artwork, I noticed something I hadn’t before: he painted several winter scenes.

Living in Chicagoland, winter is a significant part of the year. Sometimes, it lasts up to seven months of cold, snow, and short days. Yet, when I think about home décor, winter is hardly represented. Sure, we put up seasonal decorations during the holidays. But once the lights and garlands come down, winter is something we often want to move on from, not something we celebrate.

One of my grandpa’s paintings caught my eye. It’s called The Picnic Spot. In warmer weather, the scene might evoke memories of meals shared outdoors or lazy afternoons in the sun. In this painting, though, the same spot is covered in snow. It’s still and quiet but strikingly beautiful. I requested the painting, and now it’s my daily reminder that there is beauty in every season of life, even the hard ones.

Having a hard time with winter

We often find ourselves struggling with winter. We’re tired of the cold, the minimal daylight, and the cabin fever from being indoors too long. But what if we paused to find or create some happiness in winter? What if we acknowledge that while winter can be a difficult season, there are moments of enjoyment mixed in? What if we embraced it for what it is? A slower, quieter season that offers its own kind of beauty.

Difficult seasons of life

This idea of finding or creating happy moments resonates with me when I think of my clients. Moms who are navigating the many seasons of parenthood, whether it’s the sleepless nights of newborns, feeling touched out with a toddler, running around to activities with kids, or the challenges of raising teenagers, each season of motherhood can feel overwhelming and unrelenting.

I think of my clients experiencing anxiety and/or depression, women who feel stuck in cycles of worry and exhaustion, longing for something easier or brighter. Anxiety and depression amplify those feelings, making every season feel heavier. Many of my clients describe feeling like they’re just trying to “get through” the day, much like we often try to “get through” the long winter months. 

But what if we could shift that mindset? What if, instead of pushing through, we could find small ways to embrace and endure the season we’re in? Whether it’s motherhood, anxiety, or another challenging period of life, there is often beauty and meaning to be found, even in the hard moments.

When we come out of the holiday season, we’re left with winter. It’s often a time we want to escape or fast-forward through. But what if we could find joy, even here? What if we reframed winter, and the difficult seasons of life, not as something to simply endure but as something to be sure we experience?

How to cope with winter–and life’s hard seasons

Here are a few ways we can embrace winter and what it teaches us about difficult seasons:

Engage with Your Values

Staying connected to what matters most to you is important, especially during tough times. Life might limit what you can do, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to still enjoy things that bring you joy. It might look different than it did before or than it does in warmer weather, but there are always creative ways to stay aligned with your values and find moments that fuel your soul.

Look for the beauty

Just like my grandpa’s painting, winter invites us to notice stillness and simplicity. Frost on windows, the way snow blankets the ground, or even the quiet of an early morning can feel calming if we let it. In life’s hard seasons, finding beauty might mean looking for small moments of joy—a kind word, breathing in fresh air, or even a hot cup of coffee. Practice your ability to be connected to the present. In this hard moment are small joys you don’t want to miss.

Try something larger and more intentional

While small moments are important, sometimes it’s also helpful to plan something larger that aligns with your values. It could be something like scheduling a dinner out, going to a museum, attending a concert, or planning a weekend getaway. These moments give us something to look forward to and can provide a much-needed break from the routine of day-to-day life. They serve as a reminder that we can still make space for joy, even in the midst of a difficult season.

Get creative with your time

Winter forces us indoors, which can feel limiting, especially if you’re struggling with winter’s challenges. But it’s also a chance to explore hobbies, try new recipes, or watch movies you’ve been meaning to see. Similarly, hard seasons of life can push us to get creative in how we meet our needs, whether it’s finding a new way to connect with others, carving out moments for ourselves, or discovering things we didn’t realize we’d enjoy.

Embrace rest

Winter naturally encourages rest. The world slows down, and so can we. This is often the hardest for my clients to embrace, especially when feeling pulled in every direction. But just as the earth needs time to recharge, so do we. Difficult seasons might require us to scale back and focus on the essentials, giving ourselves grace to rest.

Focus on what you love

Even if winter isn’t your favorite season, there are likely small things you enjoy about it. That may be cozy sweaters, warm drinks, or the way snow sparkles under a streetlamp. Similarly, in hard seasons, we can find small anchors that ground us, things or people we love that remind us there’s more to life than the struggle of the moment.

Find meaning in the season

Winter, like difficult times in life, won’t last forever. But that doesn’t mean it’s wasted time. Instead of seeing winter as something to “get through,” we can choose to reframe it as an opportunity for rest, reflection, and connection. What can this season teach you about yourself? What strengths are you discovering? What relationships or priorities are becoming clearer?

A Different Perspective

I think about how The Picnic Spot shows the same place in a completely different light. In summer, it’s alive with activity, yet in winter, it’s still and serene. Both are beautiful in their own way. I might prefer one over the other but I can still see winter’s beauty.

If you’re struggling with winter or another difficult season of life, remember that this season is a chapter, not the whole story. Just like winter, life’s hard seasons can hold their own unexpected beauty if we take the time to look for it.

About the author:

I’m a therapist who specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, motherhood, and life's transitions. I use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Activation, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to guide my clients in managing stress and embracing the challenges life throws at them. I believe that even in the hardest seasons, there is room for growth and meaning. I work with my clients to build resilience, develop practical tools, and find moments of peace amid the chaos. My goal is to help you discover your strengths and live with intention, even when life feels overwhelming.

If you are in Illinois or Wisconsin, connect with me to see if we may be a good fit to meet your needs and goals. You can also check out my full website to learn more.