Winter's Wisdom: Rest with Purpose
Are you feeling the winter call to hibernate? Part of me just wants to curl up under my comforter for a long winter’s nap.
It’s not just me. As winter deepens, the natural world takes its cue to slow down. Some creatures hibernate, conserving energy until spring’s return. |
But while nature’s rhythm often calls for rest, there are different ways to embrace it.
Are you hibernating—shutting down and switching off—or are you recalibrating—taking this season to pull back, reflect, and realign with your vision?
Recalibrating means using this pause to:
- Reflect on where you’ve been and what you’ve learned.
- Evaluate where you are now and realign with your deeper yearnings—the longings we have to love and be loved; to feel alive; to be secure; to be seen, valued, belong, create, to matter, to make a difference, to be part of something greater.
- Create a vision for your year based on what you truly yearn for, discover what it takes to realize your vision, and begin to take steps to fulfill it.
Get Cozy – Consciously
Rather than just collapse in my comforter cocoon, Bob and I created a cozy space to recalibrate. We lit a fire in the fireplace, put on some beautiful music, and sipped on cocoa as we reviewed our last year—reviewing events, celebrating successes, exploring what didn’t work, and harvesting the lessons of our year. Then, we began to dream into our visions for this year, focusing on our deeper yearnings and what it will feel like, what we will be like, what we will experience if/as our yearnings are fulfilled in the coming year in the different areas of our lives. |
Winter is a time for dreaming, envisioning possibilities for our future. Take a lesson from what some of our neighbor farmers in Wisconsin do in the winter. They rest from the busy days of planting and harvesting, repair their equipment, and envision their planting in the spring, perusing seed catalogs for what they want to grow this year.
Rest, repair, and dream. From there, we are clearer on our direction for the year and are making plans to realize our vision.
Here are Three Practical Tips for Recalibrating This Winter
1. Reflect with Purpose Take a moment to look back on the past year. Ask yourself:
Write these reflections down or share them with someone you trust. Reflection builds awareness and awareness opens the door to meaningful change. |
2. Vision With Yearning and Plan With Intention Winter is the perfect time to vision with yearning that flows into your actions. Consider:
Break your goals into bite-sized, achievable steps, and use this quiet season to create a roadmap for success. |
3. Prioritize True Rest Rest isn’t just about sleep—it’s about nourishing your body, mind, and spirit. Schedule intentional downtime for activities that fill you up:
When you allow yourself space to recharge, you’ll emerge with greater clarity and energy for what lies ahead. |
Don’t just hibernate—recalibrate. Let’s make 2025 the year you step into your greatest self.
Rest, Recalibrate, and LiveWright,
Drs. Judith and Bob Wright