Katherine May, a New York Times bestselling author known for her insightful works on emotions and healing, shares her thoughts on 'wintering' as a powerful metaphor for navigating tough times. She emphasizes the importance of embracing emotions rather than seeking quick fixes and the value of rest and creativity in the healing process. The conversation touches on societal challenges post-pandemic, the joy of handwritten notes, and how walking can ignite creativity. May's humor shines through as she discusses connecting to one's heritage and the complexities of modern life.
Katherine May emphasizes the importance of embracing and feeling emotions during challenging times, highlighting that healing is not linear and requires self-compassion.
The conversation addresses society's lingering grief from the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing the need for open dialogue and spaces that support emotional healing and connection.
Deep dives
Embracing Comfort Over Fashion
The host reflects on her transition from a fashion-oriented mindset to prioritizing comfort and individuality in her wardrobe choices. This evolving perspective highlights a growing dissatisfaction with traditional notions of fashion, leading her to seek a more tailored and personal style. Additionally, she shares her struggles with shopping for herself, contrasting it with her ability to efficiently choose clothing for her children. This narrative drives her discovery of a personalized styling service that curates a wardrobe based on individual preferences, revealing a modern approach to achieving comfort in daily attire.
The Power of Wintering
Catherine May introduces the concept of 'wintering,' portraying it as an essential phase of rest and reflection during challenging times. This idea emphasizes the importance of embracing and feeling emotions, allowing individuals to navigate periods of doubt and uncertainty. The conversation suggests that in our quest for constant achievement, we overlook the necessity of acknowledging our emotional needs and processes. By discussing the long arcs of our personal narratives, she conveys that healing is not linear and reminds us to be gentle with ourselves during difficult moments.
Coping with Post-Pandemic Grief
The discussion touches on the lingering grief that persists in society as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite having moved on physically, many individuals still grapple with the emotional aftermath of the isolating experience. The guests note that as life resumes normalcy, the deeper emotional transitions and personal growth initiated during the pandemic often remain unaddressed, leading to ongoing discomfort. This highlights the significance of creating spaces for healing and dialogue regarding shared emotional experiences.
Reconnecting with Place and Community
May explores the disconnection many feel from their sense of place and belonging, particularly in today's fast-paced landscape. She argues that without stability and a community connection, individuals struggle to establish deeper ties with their environment and ultimately, themselves. This disconnection can lead to environmental apathy, where people no longer feel a sense of responsibility for caring for their local landscapes. By advocating for the need to reconnect with our surroundings and communities, she underscores the vital role of belonging in personal and societal well-being.
Trying to bring the best sparkly version of yourself to your own healing: It just doesn't work, says Katherine May. In this conversation, we return to May’s New York Times–bestselling book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. It feels more relevant now than ever. We talk about finding a home for lingering, unexpressed grief and for vast, unsettled feelings. We talk about rest, creative work that we love, and things that make us laugh—and Katherine May always makes me laugh.
For the show notes, including links to May’s books and our previous podcast conversations together, head over to my Substack.