Snow crunches under my feet and a chilly wind caresses my face as I leave my apartment and go for a walk outside. Way above, the bare trees hover next to the sky and the sun is out and about, despite the temperature being thirty-something degrees.

Winter is here and it can last a couple of months, especially in New York. Sometimes I have to take a moment to stop and admire the gorgeous snow globe around me. Even though I’m so darn cold and bundled in a puffy, marshmallow-like jacket, I’m grateful for the snowy scenery around me. It helps me to slow down for a few minutes, take time off my phone, and admire nature.

Don’t get me wrong — I love the other seasons too. I miss spending time at the beach or pool, going for a hike when the leaves change colors, and listening to a thunderstorm while I’m cozy under a blanket. Winter though is something else — there’s hot chocolate, holiday lights, snowy trail walks, cute sweaters, skiing, and curling up on the couch with magazines.

Whether you spend time indoors or outdoors, winter can be the great season you want it to be. There may not be late sunsets or lush greenery, but this time of year can be beautiful in so many ways.

We may sometimes think, “oh I really don’t like when the days get shorter and darker,” or “do I really have to put on thick socks and heavy boots,” or “ugh I have to defrost my car for the millionth time,” but it’s in those moments we can reframe our thinking to what winter is trying to show us: a break from all the movement and creating space for whatever we need.

This could be self-care, working on our relationships, or setting new goals for the year ahead. We may wish spring could instantly show up, but there is no growth without the winter season. It’s the colder and shorter days that lead to more sunlight, warmer temperatures, flowers, and us taking those next steps.