As a Caribbean girl born and raised in Cuba, Winter has never been a cherished season for me. Since immigrating to Canada, I’ve made it my mission to embrace, enjoy, and honour this dark season. 

After ten transformative years in this Canadian land, I find myself savoring Winter more than ever. I learn something new every year, such as how to dress better,  enjoy more winter outdoor activities, eat the right foods, vitamins, and my favourite one, going on winter nature walks solo with my camera or with my daughter and husband.  

Perhaps it’s a shift in perspective, or the way one feels after turning 40, becoming a mother, or discovering a true love of solitude and silence. Learn to embrace and honour this dark season; it takes courage and patience.  

Here are some of my favourite activities, tips, and rituals  I always do very consciously during winter and beyond. 

1. Read| Write Find time for a good book and immerse yourself in it for at least 20 minutes every day. Three winters ago, after reading Wintering by Katherine May, I realized that an unconscious mental transformation had sparked within me; this book resonated so deeply with me that I struggled to resist underlining every page. Since then, I have borrowed from the library every year. Here on my Goodreads and Bookshops, you can enjoy all the amazing books I have read in 2025 and beyond! https://www.goodreads.com/readingchallenges/gr/annual/2025/QTNGTVg3ME9RTkM2VEcMjAyNQ Poems to embrace, enjoy, and honour this dark season.  https://poets.org/poem/evergreen-0 https://poets.org/poem/stopping-woods-snowy-evening

2. Nature Photography
   Go outside with your camera phone and spend 10 to 20 minutes capturing the beauty of nature through photography. Focusing on nature’s details helps in mindfulness and relaxation. I recently wrote an article about this theme, “The Art of Mindful Nature Photography: A Contemplative Journey as an Immigrant in Canada By Yannis Lobaina. Article in Canadian Photography Magazine. Vol.3.No.3. Fall 2025.
3. Mindful  Walks

Each year, I host an inspiring event known as theMindful Photo Poetry Walk in my neighbourhood. This unique experience blends the beauty of photography with the power of poetry, inviting participants to slow down and appreciate the natural world around them. 
Take a slow, mindful walk around your garden if you have one. Pay attention to the colours, textures, and details of plants, allowing yourself to be fully present in the moment.

4. Disconnect and Reconnect
   Try your best to disconnect from digital devices and immerse yourself in the natural world. Take time to reconnect with nature, allowing yourself to unwind and find inner peace away from the noise of technology.

ABOUT MY PODCAST.

 

 I am deeply grateful for all the guests who have joined me since 2020! Five years on, some months brought more guests while others featured just one or two, but each encounter was filled with purpose, love, and alignment with my vision for meaningful connections in our community. In 2025, I had wonderful interviews with artists, poets, and educators, exploring art, music, poetry, and creative living. I’m excited to announce that I’ll be back in February 2026 with fresh, inspiring episodes! I’m working on new styles and themes that I can’t wait to unveil. So, stay tuned, take good care of yourself, and savour every moment! In the meantime, enjoy the wisdom of these remarkable guests and support my work by listening, sharing, liking, reviewing, or subscribing on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favourite podcast platform. Visit my YouTube channel and all the other platforms featuring the @The Yannis Lobaina Podcast. Dive into the world of Spanish/English literature, art, and community, celebrating the voices that inspire us all. Listen to these fantastic episodes to broaden your horizons, discover new authors, art creators, and community builders, and cherish these amazing conversations. I hope you enjoy these offerings as much as I do! Wishing you a fantastic end to the year and a wonderful 2026!

 

Yannis Lobaina at INaturalist.ca
https://inaturalist.ca/stats/2025/yannislobaina#sharing

Year in Review 2025

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supports me in every way possible. To those who subscribe, share, or buy me a coffee, I offer you an original digital photograph from my ongoing series “Courage.” I aim to continually grow, learn, and create a space where literature and art intertwine as a hope, peace and love. Let us persevere and keep moving forward in our creative journeys. Thanks, Gracias, Merci. Bendiciones! https://ko-fi.com/yannislobaina

As we approach the end of the year, I want to take a moment to wish you a Happy and prosperous New Year. May 2026 greet you with beauty, health, and love! Here’s to a year filled with awe-inspiring moments, love, healing, peace, creativity, joy, inspiration, and happiness to all of you here and there! 

With gratitude, Peace and Love!

Yannis Lobaina

¡Feliz y próspero año nuevo 2026!

Happy and prosperous New Year 2026!