Check In During Winter
“There is nothing in the world so good as good neighbors.”
Practice
Practice Checking In:
Send a text. Confirm neighbors are safe during heavy storms and low temperatures.
Share seasonal comforts. Drop off cookies, a soup, or a simple handwritten note.
Provide practical support. Clear sidewalks, pick up groceries, or run errands.
Pay attention. Watch for lights left off, piled-up mail, or an unshoveled sidewalk.
In the chill of the winter months, it is instinctive to retreat into the warmth of our homes. But winter also presents unique opportunities to love our neighbors in tangible and practical ways. Checking in on neighbors is a practice that can foster meaningful connection and offer important physical, emotional, and relational care.
When cold temperatures set in, sending a brief text to check in on the safety of neighbors is a simple, yet greatly appreciated, practice. We live in a neighborhood with older overhead power lines that are often impacted by heavy snows and freezing temperatures. When the power goes out, our first response is to send a text to nearby neighbors to assess the scale of the outage and the safety of those affected.
Winter can be a challenging season, especially for older neighbors or those with limited mobility. Checking in to ask if they need someone to pick up groceries, a prescription, or run an important errand is a small act that may lift a heavy burden. Sharing seasonal comforts like a batch of cookies, a container of soup, or a simple handwritten note are ways to remind neighbors they are remembered during days when weather may keep them home bound.
Look for signs during winter that a neighbor may need someone to check in. An unshoveled sidewalk, mail piling up, or lights remaining on are a good reminder to send a text or knock on their door. Checking in communicates they are seen and can counter the overwhelming emotions of loneliness and isolation.
Winter is a season that often invites us to slow down and stay in. But it is also a season to act. By practicing checking in on neighbors, we embody a love that warms both hearts and homes.
