Wintersβ Day In
Spilling the tea since 2006. Wanna cuppa?
Conversations on life, faith, stories, and creativity from author and songwriter (and aspiring mermaid) Talena Winters.
The Season of Darkness and Light
Navigating the holidays can feel like standing in the tension between darkness and light. In this post, I reflect honestly on the irony of Decemberβhow twinkly lights, parties, and celebrations can magnify our grief, loneliness, and losses and invite you to find small, intentional ways to make the season merry and brightβfor yourself and for someone who needs your light.
Defying Gravity: The Songwriting Dream Iβm Finally Chasing in 2026
Defying Gravity: How this lifelong songwriter-turned-novelist is using AI tools, hard-won creative skills, and a little Wicked-inspired courage to heal an old wound, return to music, and finally pursue a professional songwriting career in 2026.
Donβt Just Sit There: Risk Something
Feeling stuck? Discover why taking smart risks can lead to growth, courage, and a life worth livingβand how small steps outside your comfort zone can change everything.
Plus, a sneak preview of my new book!
The Power of No: How Boundaries Create a Better Yes
Learn how the power of no can bring peace, balance, and purpose by helping you say yes to the thingsβand peopleβthat matter most.
How to Have Hope in Uncertain Times
When times are troubled and dark, thatβs when good people need to fight for the right and share their hope. And thatβs what Iβm doing in this post.
The Power of Perseverance
The daily work of achieving our dreams may not be sexy, but itβs the only way to get it done. A pep talk for anyone struggling to stay the course right now.
Become the Hero: How to Rewrite the Stories We Tell Ourselves
Iβve been thinking a lot about the lies we tell ourselvesβthe stories that shape our lives, often without us realizing it. In this post, Iβm exploring how these stories work in fiction (and real life), how to spot the ones holding us back, and how we can choose to rewrite them. Itβs about becoming the hero of your own storyβon purpose.
Prune and Grow: Digital Decluttering, Plant Parent Style
Sometimes, the best thing you can do to produce growth is to cut off the parts that are slowing you downβwhether thatβs on a plant or in some other part of your life. (Which is what I'm currently doing for my platform.)
How to Make Difficult Decisions
When thereβs no easy answer, sometimes we need to get a little analytical to make good choices. Here are a few decision-making frameworks I found to help with the tough calls.
The Secret to Being More Human
How reading lots of different kinds of books can make us better humans and better as a culture and race. Plus a new short story.
Life Lessons from a Late-Undiagnosed ADHD-er
Iβm still new on the journey of learning about my ADHD, but Iβve been learning about how to deal with it for a long timeβand these are a few things Iβd love my kids, or anyone else learning to deal with executive disfunction (or even just life), to learn earlier rather than later.
The Good, the Bad, and the Wicked
In which I explore the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West (both the book, the Wicked musical, and the history of this story), and what Elphaba and Batman have in common.
Coming to Life Again
Iβm rising from the ashes of a crash and burn four years ago with hope and optimism for a new year, and some intentions to make it a year Iβm proud of.
We Contain Multitudes
Thoughts on using winter as a time of rest, healing, and retreat from the pressures of modern life.
