Dear readers, I hope you are all doing wonderfully! After spending a month away from home for my elective rotation in med school, I’ve truly missed connecting with you through writing. As I mentioned in my previous post, I’ve been navigating a busy schedule, but I’m learning to embrace positivity. I’m actively practicing seeing little snippets of love all around me and cherishing every season of my life. Although I’m currently working hard, I’m choosing to relish this phase and find joy in the little pieces of love at work each day. While I do miss summer, I’m wholeheartedly adopting my motto of loving every season, and I’m determined to appreciate the beauty of the colder weather. This week, I’m excited to share some delightful moments from the fall and winter that have brought me joy, hoping to inspire you to notice the small, love-filled moments surrounding us!

-Enjoying A Hot Cup of Tea

Since I returned from the US, I’ve been longing for the comforting taste of peppermint. It’s just not something I encounter often where I live, and I truly miss that iconic winter flavor! I found myself savoring the peppermint chocolate I brought back, but it only reminded me of how much I craved the fresh yet warm sensation it provides. I decided to look for peppermint locally, and to my delight, I finally discovered peppermint tea. The joy I felt was immense as I curled up with my tea and a good book indoors. Gradually, my aversion to the gloomy weather began to fade, and I relished the warmth of a hot cup of tea along with my favorite stories. So, perhaps this is a gentle reminder to indulge in your favorite warm drink; you might just find that you can learn to appreciate the gloominess of winter, just as I have.

-Things That Capture The Beauty of This Season

The next thing I love about cold weather is that everyone tends to stay inside, so I don’t have many plans like I did in summer. And since I work a lot, I started to use my time inside for fully resting. The next best thing to rest my mind besides reading is watching something (maybe better). I try to choose something that fits the weather, and it helps me look at falling leaves, sharp cold weather, and the morning breeze a lot differently. Some of my favorite shows to watch/rewatch in this season are Gilmore Girls and Over The Garden Wall. You have probably heard of Gilmore Girls before, and if you haven’t, it’s a small-town show about a mother and daughter. Over The Garden Wall might be for you if you like spooky things and animations for adults that explore meaning in life.

If you are not a TV show person but would like to read something that captures the beauty of winter, snow, and gloomy weather, I highly recommend the Webtoon (an app for online comics) In The Bleak Midwinter. It is not about winter; it is a sci-fi comic, though the story unfolds in winter, and the art captures the gloomy, snowy weather beautifully. I am sure you’ll love it if you are a fan of AI/robot sci-fi.

– Cherishing the giving season

I want to conclude this blog with a heartwarming act of kindness that beautifully captures the spirit of giving during the holiday season. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to express gratitude to someone who has stood by you through every season of life. This gesture also invites you to immerse yourself in nature and appreciate the serene beauty of winter. Here’s the idea: step outside and find a fallen leaf (please refrain from picking it from a tree), ideally in a soft, light color. Take a moment to think of someone who has been a constant source of support (or consider writing to yourself if no specific person comes to mind). Use a pen to inscribe a small thank you on the leaf and gift it to that person as a lovely reminder of your bond during this season. Alternatively, you can keep it as a personal reminder of gratitude. I believe this is a wonderfully poetic way to show appreciation and an excellent opportunity to cultivate thankfulness in our lives.

Well, I truly hope you relished every moment of this blog post, and that the enchanting festive season ahead fills your heart with joy! I’m bursting with excitement as I plan some thrilling changes for this blog in the new year, and I can’t wait to keep you in the loop!