Golden Hour of Winter
Snowsport enthusiasts always lament the end of winter. But the last few weeks of the ski season hold a special place in my heart. I like to think of this period of the season as the "Golden Hour of Winter".
For those who don't know, "Golden Hour" is a term used to describe the hours before sunset, when the sun emits warm, soft lighting. During Golden Hour, the world seems radiant and ethereal, providing excellent shooting conditions for photographers and videographers.
In the same way, the Golden Hour of Winter occurs right around the end of the ski season. Increased sunshine and longer days are a welcome reprieve after the cold, dark winter, making the world seem lighter, brighter, and full of potential. The Golden Hour of Winter brings a newfound vibrancy to day-to-day life. While it certainly is awe-inspiring to watch Mother Nature's extraordinary comeback from winter, this cyclical revival goes far beyond the return of birds chirping and squirrels scurrying. We are biologically programmed to feel more energetic and motivated come springtime.
Our brain chemistry changes seasonally. Scientific studies suggest that during the winter, our brains produce more melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that is made in response to darkness. With this increased melatonin, we feel sleepy, lethargic, and less motivated. Now, as the days get brighter and longer, our melatonin production diminishes, and we feel a natural energy boost. With more hours of sunlight, our brains produce more serotonin, a hormone associated with feelings of happiness, focus, and calm.
This spring, pay attention to the moments that bring you joy. In Kurt Vonnegut’s memoir, A Man Without A Country, he discusses the human tendency to ruminate on negatives, stating that his "principal complaint about other human beings was that they so seldom noticed it when they were happy". And if you think about it, it's true. We are quick to voice our frustration, annoyances, and grievances, but we rarely express our joy, happiness, and exuberance. So this spring, when you feel happy, express it. As Vonnegut so eloquently wrote: "I urge you to please notice when you are happy, and exclaim or murmur or think at some point, 'If this isn't nice, I don't know what is.'”
As winter draws to a close, there's no better time to harness spring’s natural high and focus your newfound energy on something meaningful. Whether that's spending more time with family and friends, trying something new, or accomplishing a goal that's been on the back burner. Now is the time to live in the moment, appreciate time with friends and family, and find happiness in the little things in life. And remember to think to yourself: "If this isn't nice, I don't know what is".
P.S. Think Snow