Hybernation: A practice for creative people during winter

Winter asks something different of us. For me, it’s a simple fact that’s unavoidable.

The light fades earlier, the air loses its softness, and the outside world seems to get quieter. At the same time, the holidays add a new energy and for many people, new challenges. Most people try to push straight through it. We tell ourselves we should be producing at the same pace within all of our commitments, chasing the same energy we had in July, showing up with the same fire, even when our world is clearly shifting gears.

But winter has its own rhythm that’s unavoidable. If we work with it instead of fighting it, the season can become one of the most restorative and creatively meaningful stretches of the year.

But, man, it is not easy.

The truth is, our biology naturally leans toward something close to hibernation. Not the bear-in-a-cave version, but a natural slowing. A turning inward. Shorter days change our chemistry. Cold temperatures shift how, and how much, we move. If we let ourselves listen, winter can become an invitation to reset both our creative practice and our actual body and mind.

For people who need creative pursuits in their lives, this matters. Creativity isn’t a machine you can program to run at the same speed all year. It has seasons. It changes. It needs time to breathe and reorganize. Winter is the perfect moment for that.

Instead of treating this season as a slump, we look at it as a recalibration.

This old photo that I took about 20 years ago feels a lot like how I feel at the end of the year when I’m ready to hybernate. A little weathered, a little scarred, wanting to just sit quietly under a blanket of snow and prepare for the next season of growth. (Photo Credit: Chris Auman)

Start with pacing.

Give yourself permission to work a little slower. Let projects simmer. Let new ideas take their time. Winter is often when you make the small discoveries that shape everything you’ll do next. I know you might think that this is just an excuse to be lazy. If I’m honest, I tend to use this excuse on a regular basis to justify not getting stressed out throughout the year. But this is the time of year that it's really not an excuse. Moving more slowly is a necessity, and we need to let it happen for our own well-being long term.

Build in more moments of stillness.

Even a few minutes each day where nothing is expected of you can make your creative mind feel less cramped. That quiet space is where new ideas start to form on their own. Not forced. This is actually something we should all work to do more of throughout the entire year. The end of the year is especially important, though, and we can embrace these moments as short, powerful bursts of hibernation that are incredibly energizing and restorative.

Take care of your body like it’s part of your creative practice.

Sleep more than you think you “should.”

Our bodies are designed to rest more in the darker months. When you give yourself that extra sleep, something shifts. Your thinking sharpens. Your instincts align. Your work gets better simply because you aren’t running on fumes. I try to stay on a sleep schedule, but today, even though I slept a normal amount of time, it was hard to get up. My body just seems to want more sleep.

This small little gallery of photos I found feels like hybernation to me. (Photo credits: Chris Auman)

Eat warm, grounding foods.

It sounds simple, but it matters. Soup, roasted vegetables, slow-cooked meals. This type of food calms your nervous system and gives you steady energy instead of spikes and crashes. Plus, it’s just more satisfying and comforting. Your creativity will always reflect how well your body is supported. You’ll literally be happier because I can’t think of anything more enjoyable than a warm bowl of nourishing food on a cold winter’s day.

This isn’t an excuse to eat junk food or unhealthy food, though. You’ll come out of hibernation feeling bad about yourself if you gain 10 pounds over the winter, and that will only add another layer of stress. I say this for myself more than anyone: Resist this! It’s counterproductive. It will feel great in the moment. But I know from experience that a long list of “moments” will add up to long-term stress and disappointment. (Here is a list of semi-healthy comfort foods that’ll give you an idea of what’s possible instead of eating fried cheese doughnuts every day.)

And for me, winter can’t be discussed without discussing alcohol. I’ve grown up with a family and friends who enjoy a good cocktail. So, naturally, it’s around all the time when we have parties, good meals, and occasionally “just because” on a cold winter’s night.

For me, this is part of the hibernation process, and it’s really enjoyable. But, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve become aware of the effects of alcohol on my body. Just like a lack of sleep, making poor food choices, not exercising, or simply pushing yourself too hard, your body will revolt. You will simply not be happy. If you’ve followed me this far, you know that this is not what you want. So, practice moderation.

For me, it’s hard, but at least I’m aware and try to intentionally moderate my consumption. I just know at this point that overdoing it is not worth it. I’m tired. I’m unmotivated to do anything but lie on the couch. I get lazy with almost everything, including my relationships, eating good food, hydration, and, of course, my art. It ends up sitting quietly, untouched for days, because of my lack of discipline. This makes me feel even more like shit, and that certainly is not the goal here.

Move your body, but gently.

Winter isn’t the time for all-out intensity. A slow walk, a stretch session, a bit of regular strength work. These activities keep your creative energy from feeling stuck. You’re not training for anything. You’re just moving. You’re just maintaining. You’re strengthening your foundation for what’s next. Personally, I love walking. Even when it’s cold and dark out, so there’s no excuse for me. There’s nothing better than a cold, quiet winter’s night walk with Christmas lights throughout the neighborhood. Bundle up and give it a try sometime if you live in a cold region.

Then there’s the emotional side of hibernation.

Winter naturally encourages a shift inward. Instead of fighting that, let it shape your creative process. This is the perfect time for sketchbooks full of half-ideas, messy studies, and experiments that aren’t meant to impress anyone. Give yourself room to play without expectation. Let this season be your creative lab, and let yourself feel good about just exploring. It may seem like you’re wasting time in the moment and letting yourself get distracted. But this is still progress. Magic can be found in these moments if you let them happen.

Winter landscape abstract sketch - approx 12×14 - Chris Auman

It’s also a good time to pay attention to what’s working and what isn’t.

When you’re settling into that winter hibernation mode, it’s the perfect moment to take a real, honest look back at your year. Just a thoughtful review of what you did, what you enjoyed, what you created, what felt good, what drained you, and where your curiosity is pulling you next. A full year-end check-in gives you perspective you can’t get while you’re moving at full speed.

Then consider where you want to go next. Set some goals. What do you want more of? What do you want less of? What goals feel exciting instead of obligatory? What do you want to say “hell yes” to, and what else do you want to say “hell no” to? Do this for all areas of your life.

This kind of reflection isn’t about building a perfect plan. It’s about understanding the arc you’ve been on, so you can choose the next step instead of stumbling or missing it entirely. (Yes, I love a good metaphor.)

Still, don’t mistake hibernation for isolation.

You don’t need to disappear. Winter supports smaller, richer connections with yourself and the world around you.

Maybe the most important thing: don’t judge your output. Winter isn’t built for polished masterpieces. It’s a season for rebuilding, listening, experimenting, resting, absorbing. When you treat it that way, by the time you emerge, you’re not running on empty. You’re ready. You’re clear. You’re genuinely excited again.

Creative people aren’t meant to grind straight through the cold months pretending nothing has changed. The fact is, many of us are introverts on top of it all, and that demands that we pull away to recharge. We’re not meant to respond to the world the same way everything else does. We need to respond by slowing, recalibrating, absorbing, and building up our energy for what comes next. Winter is the perfect time for this.

Let winter be your quiet season. I know it can be hard. Especially for someone like me who loves to be productive and to feel accomplished. But hibernation is important. It’ll reset your body, deepen your work, and send you into the next phase with a full tank instead of fumes.