Throwback: Walking in a Stress-Free Wonderland

Several years ago, I was a freelance writer for Kootenay Living magazine, and it was a really fun outlet for my writing and creativity. While I haven't done magazine work in some time, I would love to do it again in the future. Today I'm sharing my final piece for the magazine.

This was written for a winter edition, entitled: "Walking in a Stress-free Wonderland".

"Have you ever noticed that the main adjective used to describe the winter holidays is "busy"? Sales start earlier each year, decorations are displayed as soon as the school supplies have let the shelves, and recommendations for the "perfect gift" creep into your newsfeed. Advice on how to "cope with the busy holiday season", and tips for the winning holiday meal make you feel like you have something to prove. When did the holidays become about stress, stuff, and scheduling? When did it change from friends, family, and fun?

Living in the Kootenays means to go with the flow. With a "we'll figure it out" attitude, we do not take ourselves too seriously, and we know what is truly important to us. We try to live with intention, especially when exploring our magnificent outdoors. With a growing culture of community and mindfulness, the meaning of the holidays is changing. This winter season, let us take the "busy" out of it and do it up, Kootenay-style.

We don't need to buy the shiniest things for every friend and family member. We don't need to over-plan a grandiose meal by ourselves and decorate the table according to the latest trend. We don't need to fill our schedule to our breaking point, making us yearn for spring.

Take a breath. We can simplify our holidays and we will be happier than a bear in huckleberry season. We can bring it back to our values: friends, family, and fun. And with that, we can begin our Kootenay holiday, and let the rest of the world worry about being too busy.

There are endless activities that will leave us fulfilled and content. Many Kootenay-folk like things strapped to their feet in the winter; skiing, snowboarding, skating, or snowshoeing on our local slopes, frozen lakes, or in backcountry bliss will leave you in awe with scenes of frosted mountain tops and trees heavy with snow. Follow that up with a visit to a hot-tub, hot-spring, or a simple hot drink and you will feel warm inside and out. Ice fishing, tobogganing, or a nature-walk is soul-enriching, especially when in good company. Take a friend, family member, or four-legged pal, and head outside to breathe in that Kootenay air.

Maybe you're not the winter sports type; that's okay, it's not a prerequisite to live here! Perhaps it is more to your taste to have an evening fire outside sipping homemade soup out of a mug. Maybe all you want to do is curl up with a good book and a hot drink, which you can do at home or in one of our cozy local cafes. There are many community events that warm our hearts and hands, like Christmas parades, festivals, and markets. Or stay home, put on your favourite sweater, bake something. Do what brings you joy.

Spending money and energy over the holidays - we can take it easy there too. Having a no-gift and experience-rich holiday instead is just as fulfilling as the stereotypical Home Alone Christmas morning debacle (a whirlwind of people tearing apart wrapped gifts, one bigger than the next); some families pick just one name out of a hat (or toque), or focus on activities instead of things. Instead of supporting huge companies with generic gifts, visit our local markets where you can find special, handmade gifts made by our talented community; whether handknits, honey, baked goods, or unique cards and paintings, you can find a special gift and support a local business. Even holiday meals can turn into a low-stress event; eat at one of our amazing local restaurants or organize a potluck so everyone brings something to share.

We are pressured each year to have a certain type of winter holiday, and usually that involves spending more money, becoming more stressed, and being glad when it's all over. But if we think about what is truly important to us, what comes to mind? Is it the stress, stuff, and scheduling? Or is it the friends and family, and the fun you can have together? Whatever your picture looks like, let it reflect your values, and enjoy this winter season in our Kootenays."

In love and literature,

Nadine