Franchisee post: Life in the dark months

Lynne, founder of WildStrong Falkland writes about her first WildStrong winter.

It’s as regular as clockwork. The dark nights descend. And with it - as if innately connected to the dial of my kitchen clock - my energy and mood switch to ‘winter mode’. It’s not to say I have no energy. Or that I am in a ‘bad mood’. It’s precise in its timing, but subtle in its ways this ‘shift’ within me.

In my 20s I got annoyed at it. It tried to shake it off, ignore it. In my 30s with 2 young kids and a full-time job I just got on with it. Forged on with life regardless of the season and met the demands of the day-to-day. In my late 30s this approach took its toll and poor physical and mental health started to show. Then, in my early 40s it dawned! I don’t have the same capacity, energy, drive to go at life at the same speed during the winter months. With less energy in these months, I realised I needed to actively choose what (not to) spend energy on from October to March.

Embracing my new approach of doing less and being ok with it in winter has been a game-changer for me mentally and physically. Winter is no longer something I survive. Granted it is not my favourite time of year, but I have built up little routines and traditions that make it happy and comfortable, rather than the endurance challenge it was before.

So in the lead up to my first winter leading WildStrongFalkland I could see the challenge ahead. How would stepping out two evenings a week into the dark, facing elements, to coach others in physical activity; dealing with the mud, the set-up of kit in the dark; running off to collect 2 kids from activities after the WildStrong session; juggling kids and self to get a shower to get warm, and wash off the mud at 9 o’clock at night (when my body would be telling me it was midnight!) … I won’t lie, it shuddered my new-found acceptance of retreating inward for the winter to the very core!

Sitting writing this - rather aptly on Imbolc - the juxtaposition I faced at the start of winter has morphed through the winter months into a paradox I would never think could have truth for me. Getting out in the dark, and being physically active in the cold have increased my ability to ‘get my hygge on’ no end. Spending time in an open field under the clear winter skies brought me a fresh appreciation for the stars, moon and planets; lying on the frozen ground feeling the warmth my own body generated by hauling a tyre 50m multiple times would never in my imagination have felt as good as it did; see the dazzle of 10 head torches bobbing towards me in the pitch black blinding me from seeing the smiles of the faces wearing the torches brought me a warmth that the coldest winter could never chill.

I have never been one for high-heels, glittery tops, disco lights and dance floors in December; and I didn’t think I would ever be one for mucky trainers, thermals and floodlights , and a frozen field. It’s changed days in winter for me, much to my delight. The open air, good people and quality workouts; followed by a dimly lit room, my favourite blanket and my book. WildStrong in winter improved my life in winter in a way I didn’t think it could.

I know others in the group also struggle(d) with winter. I’d like to thank my fellow WildStrongers for spending time in the dark months with me - whether you came once or every week - you have been part of this journey, thanks.

You can find out more about Lynne’s group here or on her Instagram page @wildstrongfalkland