This past weekend, after a stretch of early snow, then rain, I headed to the nearby beach on Lake Ontario in search of — something. Movement. Light. Maybe vitamin D. When the clouds felt charitable, the sun felt warm on my face. It was glorious.
Bundled to the point of near-immobility, I trudged along the beach while my dog sprinted ahead, half-inhaling blowing sand as she chased her ball with Olympic-level enthusiasm. The sand, packed firm by days of wet weather, felt surprisingly grounding under my feet.
When I reached for my camera, the four seconds of exposed skin made my hands burn, but strangely, it felt… good. Clarifying. Nothing like biting cold to wake up the nervous system.
Then I saw them: three women in bathing suits, cheering each other on as they waded deeper into the icy lake. They were too far away to read their expressions but I imagined they felt a mix of adrenaline, disbelief, and pure presence (they held their hands out of the water in what seemed to be mittens of all things). They weren’t doing it for social media. They were doing it to feel. And in that moment, I understood exactly why. I admit to being a little envious!
Why We Go Numb (And Why It’s Not Your Fault)
In the darker months, especially in Ontario, where winter arrives with personality, people often tell me they feel “numb,” “flat,” or “low”. Seasonal depression is real, but so is the emotional stagnation that happens when comfort zones turn into holding patterns.
Brené Brown talks about the courage required to live wholeheartedly. Esther Perel speaks about aliveness as something we cultivate, not inherit. Both remind us that vitality often lives just outside our routines. It does require some risk and vulnerability.
As a psychotherapist, I work with clients trying to feel alive or their “life” again. I have no doubt that feeling alive is a bodily experience and not just a mental one.
Somatic Awareness: More Than a Buzzword
“Somatic awareness” has exploded in popularity thanks to The Body Keeps the Score — and for good reason. But it’s easy for the term to become jargon.
Somatic awareness simply means noticing what your body is feeling, and letting that information matter.
It’s the opposite of powering through.
Somatic experiencing and bottom-up approaches in therapy can help you reconnect with yourself through sensation, not self-criticism:
• The solidness of wet sand beneath your boots
• The cold sting on your fingers
• The whoosh of winter air entering your lungs
• The sound of waves rolling in
• Your dog’s warm body brushing against your leg
• The way your shoulders shift when you finally breathe deeply
These tiny sensory check-ins remind your nervous system that you’re here—not lost in anxiety, not caught in autopilot.
Small Acts of Courage can Build Big Vibrancy
Watching those women wade into Lake Ontario wasn’t about cold therapy (I don’t think). It was about choosing aliveness over stagnation. At least that’s what it felt like watching them!
You don’t have to plunge into freezing water to rediscover your spark. But you can:
• Take a brisk walk even when the couch feels magnetic
• Let yourself feel the temperature on your skin
• Practice a 30-second body scan
• Try something new, even small
• Move your body in a way that feels good
• Seek connection, laughter, or novelty
Joy doesn’t have to be huge.
It just has to be felt.
If You’re Feeling Flat, You’re Not Alone
Many people across Toronto and Hamilton are craving more aliveness right now. If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, numb, or out of touch with yourself, therapy can help you reconnect with your body, your emotions, and your sense of possibility.
You’re not broken. You’re just needing a gentle reconnection.
Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again?
If you’re curious about somatic informed therapy, trauma-informed approaches, or simply want to feel more grounded this winter, I’d love to support you.
Reach out for a consultation—online or in-person in the GTA and Hamilton.
Disclaimer
This blog is for informational and reflective purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized mental health treatment. If you are experiencing significant distress, please consult a mental health professional or physician.
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