While many folks are up to their eyeballs in New Year resolutions, goal setting, and planning, I’m quietly hunkering down here in my little East Tennessee cottage, doing all I can to rest and stay warm during these cold days of winter.
We have 3 weeks left of our winter homeschool break before our next year starts up, and I’m doing all I can to be mindful of each day, do things that bring me joy, and rest as much as possible before my days fill up again.
I’m taking naps, catching up on my favorite Netflix shows, finishing half-read or half-listened to books and audiobooks, cooking more elaborate meals, taking long herbal baths, journaling, and so much more.
Many people look at the winter months as something to get through. While the long, cold days of winter can certainly feel that way at times, over the last few years, I’ve learned to embrace this season. I mean, there are so many things to love about winter!
One of my favorite practices of seasonal living is putting off all my planning and goal setting until spring. Winter is a season of rest and just sitting with yourself and who you are. Spring is the time to get your wheels churning, to dream of what you want in the next year, and to map out the steps you’ll need to take to get you there.
I’m also not saying that winter is a season to do nothing. In my family, the boys have some basic school work to keep up with here and there, we have a ton of holiday activities to get to throughout December, it’s a time for me to catch up on work projects that require more of my time, and I do plan out the coming school year. So yes, there’s a lot going on. I guess it’s more that I have a restful, less hurried mindset during this time of the year.
Imbolc will be here before you know it, and spring planning and goal setting will commence. I’ll be planning house projects, work goals, vacations, reading lists, and more for the coming year. I’ll be asking myself all the hard questions and seeing what answers I come up with.
Just thinking about what could be is exciting, and while I’m beginning to feel the itch to plan and set goals, I’m not giving in just yet. For now, I will continue to just be and enjoy each day as it comes.
Love and light,
Meagan