Creative Warmth for Cold Days
On slowing down, getting cozy, and creating under a blanket.
Hello, dear one, and welcome to The Pause.
December has officially arrived, and although I’m not a mainstream-holidays lover, I appreciate this time of year in my own way; I love going out to see the lights, and some of the Catalan traditions, like Tió de Nadal, warm my heart even at my age. 😍
While many find this season stressful, full of shopping, family gatherings, obligations, and a thousand tiny pressures, I try to take December as I believe it was meant to be: a time to slow down, wrap myself in comfy layers, get cozy in front of a (real or virtual) fireplace, and dive into my creativity much more gently.
Although I am not one for hustle culture, December still comes with that subtle pressure to “finish strong,” plan the entire next year, and become a more organized, sparkling version of yourself before 2026.
But honestly? All I want is a warm drink, a heavy blanket, and a bit of writing time… enough to romanticize my life just a little and make winter feel softer.
What Writing Daily Taught Me This Month
November felt surprisingly balanced. With my yearly November writing challenge in full swing, I created space to write daily while staying grounded and connected with the people I love.
Since ‘Saber tornar’ just came out in October, I wasn’t ready to jump into writing 1,500 words a day. Instead, I focused on slowly rebuilding my writing habit and sketching the foundations of my next novel.
It’s been fun — truly fun — to explore my new characters, imagine the settings, refine the plot, and draft a few early scenes.
Aside from a couple of travel days or much-needed breaks, I’ve written almost daily and made steady progress. Most importantly, I’ve reconnected with my creative flow, which was the real goal.
Letting Winter Shape the Way
Although I don’t live in particularly cold climates (Barcelona and Florida are both quite forgiving), I still like to let myself be swayed by the season. With the falling leaves and crisp air, a gentle shift is needed.
As the Winter Solstice approaches, I’m rearranging my Sadhana and my schedule to match the mood: coziness, slowness, and care.
This is the season where I stop asking creativity to perform and, instead, give it space to stretch, yawn, and settle. I let winter guide me toward gentler rhythms.
A Few Things Bringing Me Creative Warmth
To feel more aligned with myself and with the season, here are a few small things that are helping me stay grounded and creative:
🌅Watching the sunrise: when the weather allows, I love bundling up, stepping outside, and finding a quiet spot to do my Morning Pages as the day begins.
🕯️Lighting candles: Real or battery-powered, they shift the atmosphere instantly. Something about soft light invites creativity in a way nothing else does.
📚Reading cozy fiction: Gentle, homey novels with warm, human stories are my favourite companions this time of year… especially when I’m curled up on the couch under a fuzzy blanket.
☕Warm drinks: A latte with oat milk while I write, or a peppermint tea in the evening. They warm my body (and my fingers), which is always welcome when I’m typing for a few hours.
💛Cozy dates with friends: A stroll to see the holiday lights, xocolata amb xurros, or simply sitting on a park bench to chat for a bit. Time with the people I love is priceless… in December and always.
🧘🏽♀️Gentle yoga: Moving my body is essential for my physical and mental health, and for my creativity. Even a few minutes of soft, accessible movement before writing — or before bed — helps me stay connected to my practice, especially on low-energy days.
Wherever December finds you busy, resting, inspired, or somewhere in between, I hope you can carve out a little space to breathe, to feel, and to create at your own rhythm.
➡️ What small ritual is bringing you softness this end of autumn?
Until we meet again, pause often, breathe deeply, and be kind, especially to yourself.💛
Much love,
Laia.