![](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/720b681b-61e9-4f8e-9205-9cb5b5c3bd96/WDI+mermaid+reading+blog+header+2024-02-24+web.jpg)
Winters’ Day In
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author Talena Winters.
Pour a cuppa and stay awhile.
![7 Moments: What's Been Keeping Me Busy](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1510454287823-MGQRSATYQCUXOZ3U0NY8/DSC_0200+fxd+16x9+web.jpg)
7 Moments: What's Been Keeping Me Busy
A photo essay of what's been filling up my blog silence.
![It's All About Love](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1502050694854-Y8R8PPTWLWSR8JDCFFPJ/lightstock_70438_medium_talena_winters_web.jpg)
![When You Just Can't Do It All](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1500316015942-0G8P5WASTQ9Q4H3T2ENU/36184731_ml+web.jpg)
When You Just Can't Do It All
Lately, I've been getting that too-familiar "overwhelmed" feeling. Looking back over the first six months of this year, I am coming to a difficult conclusion: I still can't do it all. So it's time to reset some priorities.
![7 Things I'm Grateful For](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1493665869552-HT21W8D5AJDNW7IHZFXX/59393056_ml.jpg)
7 Things I'm Grateful For
Wow, so much has happened last week/will be happening this week that I'm going to be posting a couple times this week. For today, because it's Monday, because it's been a while, and because I'm much better at posting these moments on Instagram and Facebook than keeping my blog updated, here's a 7 Things summary of what's been going on.
![Sticks and Stones, Love](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1491940458515-44KCCGIXIONAE3AIHUA3/PrincessBride_145Pyxurz.jpg)
Sticks and Stones, Love
What happened when my book was captured by pirates. Turns out, it's a lot more fun when it's in fiction than when it happens to your fiction...
![Reset](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1490393783927-QX8M9DCSR38BI1J07YXC/2016-07-12+140540+fxd+web.jpg)
![Full Circle](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1489861934853-4QRHTFQS0PYUIO7M4YHV/Summer+daisies+and+blue+sky.jpg)
Full Circle
Good morning, blog. I had no idea when I got up this morning that this is the day I would come back here, finally, and reintroduce myself.
I've missed you while I've been away. Have you missed me?
![Getting Unstuck](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1484767508906-5LD16R8QTZE0QICQPPKI/44582515_l+adj+web.jpg)
Getting Unstuck
A day at a time, the log jam is loosening and the ideas are flowing. The sun is coming back, energy is returning, and I am pulling myself blinking from the retreat of hibernation. For my own mental and emotional health, this year needs to be less about driving myself and more about reducing commitments, taking care of myself, and finding my passion again. It needs to be about healing.
![A Year is Just a Trip Around the Sun](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1483218433592-CGSBNN4DZ891F9SE3I4O/51106108_l+web.jpg)
A Year is Just a Trip Around the Sun
I've been quietly avoiding interacting with all the social media posts bashing 2016, as though a year can be to blame for all the things that are wrong with the world or a person's life. It seemed so ludicrous, and I figured if someone was going to be that negative and blame it on a calendar, my energy would be better spent elsewhere than trying to help them see how ridiculous that is.
![Photo Friday: Memories of India](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1479531468610-EF7XQKMJ95TWYR4XI8Z4/DSC_0082+fxd+web.jpg)
Photo Friday: Memories of India
Tiptoeing through time and space back to India, where we made friends for life--and where our love story began.
![Misadventures in Mumbai](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1478786397051-UIFA964ET2JRRY1V63HX/image-asset.jpeg)
Misadventures in Mumbai
This might look like greasy, fried Western food, but tonight, it was what relief tasted like. It was the flavour of a small victory after a long and frustrating day. It was safety after about as much adventure as we could handle at once.
![Reworking Working from Home](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1476220616422-34WT24B1MV98J5Z8TWRZ/100_2901+fxd+web.jpg)
Reworking Working from Home
My Left and Right Brain are having a showdown and I need to figure out how to make them play nice together! Do you have some pointers?
![Racing the Frost Giant](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1475785745639-T5K39C8J6YLBOKBHR1P9/DSC_0031+fxd+web.jpg)
Racing the Frost Giant
It's been a crazy week. Next year, I'm going to look into growing a clone of myself in my garden. :-) Here's a few of the blessings that came with the crazy in the shape of a bountiful harvest.
![Photo Friday: Become Vulnerable](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1475213519894-022YIS4YE8YS92BM99P1/Vulnerability+has+strength+1920x1080.jpg)
Photo Friday: Become Vulnerable
By opening up your heart and showing others your weaknesses as well as your strengths, you become more of who you are, and give others permission to do the same. Isn't that the most loving thing to do?
![Photo Friday: Become Brave](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5400f920e4b0b0a7e18454b2/1474587135439-3VXMB16OMQ8YRG15HHYG/Practice+being+brave+1920x1080.jpg)
Photo Friday: Become Brave
The theme of my life for the last several months has been about becoming brave. My life has become less about protecting myself, and more about how my life can bless others. Sometimes, the things I have done have cost me. But for the most part, they have helped my heart and my courage to grow. Here are some lessons I've learned on the way.