I came across the term “Winter Arc” just a week ago, while I was browsing through some (how to start afresh and become a better you) video on youtube, I know.. How predictable, right? Apparently this term -“winter Arc” is a new trend made popular by TikTok – and I had already been partaking in this trend without even knowing it. I stopped using social media at the end of August (instagram) -since that’s the only one I use. I still use Line and whatsapp for keeping in touch with friends and folks back home though, and by October 1st, I committed to working out and eating clean—or at least trying to avoid my beloved potato chips and hash browns (I love potatoes). Applying the 80/ 20 rule – (Pareto Principle)- i.e; eating healthy food 80% of the time and enjoying treats and snacks I like 20 % of the time. More importantly, these months were also the time I recognized the need to set real boundaries with people who bring negativity into my life. Anyway long story short, I had unknowingly already started on my own Winter Arc right on time with the rest of the world.
What is the Winter Arc?
The Winter Arc is all about personal development. It starts from October 1st or anytime around winter, aiming to prepare you to enter the New Year as a refined version of yourself. The YouTuber I was watching described it in a way that made me disgusted at first but it made sense. She said: “It’s like your old self is a pair of smelly old socks—throw them away, or at least wash them and make them feel brand new.” Though comparing myself to dirty, smelly socks initially felt a bit depressing, the metaphor was surprisingly motivating.
I’ve done a bit of research—though not too much, as I’ve been busy lately, but while doing my research on this topic – one thing stood out to me: just like many trends today, the Winter Arc has also become a meme. We live in a culture where most of us strive for self-improvement, yet there’s also a significant number who belittle those efforts. They poke fun at the person who’s always at the gym or mock the friend who frequently talks about their self-growth journey. I know we all know at least a few people like that in our lives.
This crab mentality can discourage people from pursuing their goals by promoting the idea that being ‘average’ or conforming to societal norms is preferable or better than standing out. Despite the mockery, I believe the concept of the Winter Arc is powerful for anyone looking to restart and find hope amid the monotony of everyday life.
But I wonder – why do we joke about it? Perhaps because embracing change and hard work can be intimidating, and humor helps mask the discomfort? According to my research there were many reasons why people start mocking well meaning good folks. One of the reasons was that mocking can be a defense mechanism to downplay the significance of self-improvement. The idea is that if they ridicule others, they don’t have to confront their own shortcomings, that makes total sense.
Another one that was similar was: Sometimes, people make jokes about “serious” topics like fitness and self-growth, as a way to cope with their own anxieties about these areas. Humor can create distance from uncomfortable feelings of inadequacy, so instead of engaging with the challenge of improvement, they make light of it. By creating memes and laughing about it 😀
But -the idea behind the Winter Arc—a seasonal transformation that focuses on wellness and positive habits—is genuinely inspiring. If you ask me, it’s worth giving it a shot. After all, the colder months are perfect for going ‘BEAR MODE.’ Yes, I know bears hibernate in winter—but this isn’t about sleeping away, bears do that cause food is scarce and hard to find in winter, but you have ample food available for you. Think of BEAR MODE as entering your Winter Arc, a phase of transformation where you shed the old and emerge stronger. “Tis the season to reset, reflect and renew.” By the time the new year arrives, you’ll be refreshed, energized, and ready to take on new goals. Isn’t that exciting?
So far, my Winter Arc is going well, even though I took a week-long break. The biggest lesson came this week, after pushing through two weeks of one hour long HIIT workouts everyday with minimal rest days. I took a break, and that’s when I realized I can’t keep up with this intense routine long-term. I realized that the key isn’t about sticking to a strict routine. I had to be honest and I honestly can’t picture myself working out for an hour everyday forever. Being real and honest with myself has always helped me make big changes in life. Questions like- “Why is this important to me?” Really has helped. Try asking yourself the same and If it arouses some strong feelings, chances are if you make the habit easier to follow it will soon be a lifestyle. I felt a deep sense of remorse for animals when I decided to quit meat, and I became very aware of how smoking was harming my internal health when I was planning to quit smoking. This awareness also made me realize that going cold turkey on any habit works for only a few people. For many, the key lies in finding balance—aiming to do more good than bad is also great! And just this way slowly I quit meat, it’S been 7 years now and I haven’t smoked for months. I was someone who smoked everyday, I could even finish a packet in a day. If I liked. I didn’t go completely cold turkey but it’s like everytime I feel the urge and I ask myself “But WHY?” And if there’s more reasons that are bad for you than good. It gets easier to stop and slowly in your own time QUIT. I am proud I don’T get tempted anymore and have stopped smoking all while being kind to myself. It’s funny because I remember saying “I would rather kill myself slowly by smoking than eat meat.” When an ex told me he’d be happier if I quit smoking and ate meat instead. bleh.. I promise no more ex-related topics, but it’s hard not to reflect on how those past relationships influenced my choices and perspectives. Y’know.
Also, quitting bad things came naturally after I started taking self growth and self love seriously. It became easier to follow when I started seeing changes. After all focusing on self growth – It’s that area of your life that improves everything else right? It’s not about being perfect everytime but rather about making gradual, sustainable changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle. I hope you keep that in mind as you enter your winter arc. So while my Winter Arc might not be a perfect workout schedule, it’s becoming a more balanced approach that focuses on long-term health and changing my over all lifestyle.
Best place to hold me accountable besides my boyfriend. 2 weeks completed on 14th October. Currently, on a new challenge.
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