The Long Winter explores mental health during the long winters of the Pacific Northwest, a season that can affect each of us a little differently. For some, winter brings quiet and reflection. For others, it can feel heavy, isolating, or endless. As the rain falls and the days grow shorter, the change in light, routine, and energy can quietly wear on us in ways we don’t always notice right away. And yet, resilience often shows up in small, unremarkable moments.
The Long Winter celebrates the everyday acts of self-care, creativity, and connection that help us stay well through the colder, wetter months. Not grand transformations or quick fixes, but the simple practices that help us feel grounded, a walk taken despite the rain, a creative outlet that brings a sense of release, a conversation that reminds us we’re not alone.
This mini-series follows individuals from the Wirth community who have each developed their own rituals, practices, and relationships to support their mental wellbeing throughout the season. Their stories reflect the many ways people learn to care for themselves when conditions feel harder, and how community often plays a quiet but essential role in that care. At its core, The Long Winter reflects one of Wirth’s core beliefs: that looking after your mental health isn’t something you do once, or only when things feel difficult. It’s an ongoing practice shaped by seasons, circumstances, and the small choices we make to show up for ourselves and for one another.
This series is a collaboration between Big Hugs Studio and Wirth Hats. Thank you to Nick Macleod and Mark Shuya for being part of The Long Winter and for sharing what a long winter means to you.
-Wirth Team
