Brain Waves with Debra Rose: Winter 2025

Winter Cleaning

Like many things in Montauk, traditions and rituals have a twist.  St. Patrick’s Day is busier than Christmas, when the ocean is warmest we could have a snowstorm, and the dead of winter is a time of renewal.

When we think of these next few coldest, darkest months, many on the east end travel for weeks or months at a time, renovate their homes, do construction on their businesses.  Winter is a perfect time to ‘spring clean’ and crush your to-do lists.

Donate: It is easy to let things go in the summer when the doors are open, and everything is flooded with sunlight.  Trapped inside for more time allows you to see what can stay and what needs to go.  Donate, discard, recycle what no longer serves you and your space will feel better.

Edit: Go through your clothing, surf gear, kitchen cabinets.  We have more than we need, excessive of what we use.  Make space and keep things that you love and remove the rest.

Renovate: Tackle a project big or small, let your creativity run and all year long you can look at your accomplishments and smile.

Create: Try new dishes, attempt to cook something that has intimidated you (rolling sushi, baking bread, steaming an artichoke)?  We are not at pandemic levels of culinary desperation, but maybe for a dinner party attempt something unusual.

Move: Cleaning can be internal.  Incorporate more healthy habits this winter around your fitness and food.  Maybe start a journal, or a daily appreciation list.  Winter is the perfect time to start a new wellness routine when you have the focus and concentrated energy.  By spring you will feel brand-new, and winter will be over before you know it.