When I think of the beach, my first thought is not of the beach in winter. I think of hot summer days, cold beers (preferably with a lime), splashing in the waves, or floating in the ocean.
That said, I still love the beach in winter. Here’s why:
When the kids were little, we often went to the beach in the winter: over New Year’s, Superbowl weekend, or even President’s Day weekend. Each morning began with coffee, the newspaper, and sometimes long conversations. Then we’d walk Cookie on the beach, which you can do easily in the winter.
Later, if it were nice enough, Joe and the boys would throw the football on the beach. If it was cold out, we would spend time inside playing cards and reading. Well…I would read, and the rest of my family would watch football. Then we’d watch the sunset, eat seafood for dinner and watch movies at night.
Around here, the weather is still nice in the winter months. It is often sunny outside, if not warm enough to get into the water. The humidity drops, the sky is clear, and the air feels fresh. Need a new perspective or an attitude adjustment? The sound of ocean waves and the feel of the sun on your face will lighten your mood quickly.
After our kids went to college, Joe and I often spent long weekends at the beach in the winter. We found that it’s much easier to take long walks in the winter without zig-zagging through beach umbrellas and chairs.
And without stepping on people.
We’d walk Cookie on the beach every morning and then again at sunset. We’d work or relax during the day, and sometimes I’d paint. We would watch the sunset and cook shrimp or tuna, or oysters. We would work on crossword puzzles, play gin, read, and watch tv together.
I like planning my year, thinking about my goals, and figuring out what’s next for my art business. The quiet time at the beach in the winter allows me to plan without distractions. When I’m at home in January, I feel like I need to clean out closets and get organized. When I'm at the beach, I don't feel the need to DO anything.
Something about the pace of the beach in the winter makes it easy to relax. This is especially true after the more hectic holidays. It’s nice to catch up on reading, writing, and maybe even napping.
The light is different. It’s lower, and the colors seem less saturated. Even the earth rests in the winter, preparing itself for new growth in spring. It’s a different kind of pretty and a reminder that we need time for rest and renewal too.
And that is why the beach in winter renews my creativity.