The Winter Arc – motivating or just another TikTok trend?
The rapid rise of internet trends reflects our interconnected world, where information—and misinformation—spreads instantly. This makes it tricky to separate the helpful information from the not-so-helpful information. Today we’re diving into one of the latest trends to sweep the internet – The Winter Arc.
What is the Winter Arc?
The “winter arc” is a new internet trend taking over social media, urging us to embrace winter as a time for self-improvement, reflection, and preparation for the new year.
Winter Arc season officially starts on October 1st, lasting for three months until January 1st–but if you’re still yet to start, don’t worry, there’s still time. The Winter Arc can be started at any point in winter, but it’s best to start it in the final (darker) months of the year.
Think of it as levelling up—incrementally building healthier habits, cultivating a mindful approach to health and wellness, and making small yet impactful strides towards the life you envision.
Rather than pausing on self-improvement, embrace the season as a challenge to stay on track. And if you’re already hitting your goals, think of the Winter Arc as a nudge to keep that momentum going.
Why 90 days?
A 90-day period is ideal because it’s long enough to allow for noticeable progress while still being short enough to stay focused and motivated. Studies suggest it takes around 66 days to establish a new habit, so 90 days provides ample time to form these habits and see results.
Could this trend be onto something?
While it might appear like a passing internet trend, the Winter Arc has elements that can foster personal growth and well-being. Rooted in some principles similar to early New Year’s resolutions and 75 Hard Challenge (which are helpful for some), it advocates for a proactive approach to winter—a season often associated with inactivity.
It’s been suggested there’s merit to using winter as a time to cultivate good habits and stay motivated. The colder months can provide fewer distractions and create an environment conducive to focus and discipline.
For many, the Winter Arc aligns with established habit-building practices, such as those promoted by James Clear. This emphasises small, consistent actions over time. Clear and other productivity experts stress that making small adjustments during times of decreased social activity can lead to lasting habits that carry through the year.
What are the rules of the Winter Arc?
Unlike protocols such as 75 hard, which has pretty rigid rules, the Winter Arc is what you make of it. It doesn’t have a fixed set of rules – it’s more of a flexible framework for personal growth during the winter months.
However, common elements often include:
- Waking up earlier and being consistent with your wake/sleep time daily.
- Going to the gym 4-5 times a week or incorporating daily movement into your life, i.e., a 30-minute walk.
- Keeping your nutrition on point, for example, meal prepping…or letting us do the legwork for you!
- Limiting alcohol intake.
- Unlocking a new (beneficial) habit – whether that’s something like reading or learning a new skill.
How to approach the Winter Arc?
Although goal setting can be helpful, focusing on building sustainable systems and habits rather than relying solely on goals as commonly advised by Clear, may just be a better course of action.
1. Start small with habits
Clear emphasises the power of tiny habits that compound over time. For your Winter Arc, choose small, actionable steps that align with your goals. For example, if improving fitness is a goal, commit to just 30 minutes of exercise each day. This small start reduces friction and helps build momentum.
2. Design systems, not just goals
Clear is known for saying, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” To build effective systems, structure your environment to make good habits easy. If your Winter Arc involves healthier eating, stock your kitchen with nutritious options that support your goals or let us do it for you!
3. Give habit-stacking a go
You can build habits by focusing on habit stacking, a method where you tie a new habit to an existing one. This strategy leverages routines you already have, making it easier to add new behaviours that align with your winter goals. For example, after I pour my cup of coffee each morning, I will meditate for one minute.
By integrating habit stacking into your Winter Arc, you’re not just adding new behaviours—you’re building systems that align with your established routines, enhancing the likelihood that these habits will stick well beyond the winter months
4. Embrace Identity-Based Habits
Clear advocates for building habits that align with the identity you want to adopt. During your Winter Arc, view each action as a “vote” for the person you aim to become. For instance, by choosing to read each day, you reinforce the identity of a lifelong learner, making it easier to sustain this habit beyond winter.
Take-home messages
Firstly, while internet trends can offer valuable insights or fresh perspectives, it’s essential to approach them critically. Many trends, especially in wellness or lifestyle, lack scientific backing and can be more hype than help.
However, in this instance and when approached appropriately, The Winter Arc may just provide you with a little extra motivation to get after it this winter!
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