Ahhhhh, January……what does a person do during such a frigid time of the year? For whatever reason, while looking out upon my dreary yard, I got to thinking about the trees. What do trees do in winter? Thanks to AI, this is what I found (via a Google search):
Trees prepare for winter by entering a dormant state, where they slow down their metabolism and growth to conserve energy and survive.
I’ve lately felt the need to slow down and rest. I literally feel it in my bones. But I also hear the voice telling me “you are lazy” or better yet “you should be doing x, y AND z”. The busyness/rest balance is complicated because we are so used to being held hostage by to-do lists. Yet, over time, not slowing down can lead to big concerns such as mental and physical exhaustion, anxiety, and depression. Slowing down allows you to recharge and challenges the idea that you must prove your worth. I believe we need to try and reframe rest. Try giving yourself permission for some self-care and try not to fall into the trap of proving your worth through productivity. Remind yourself that rest IS productive – it fuels your creativity, your energy, and your ability to give. Remind yourself that you are just as worthy of a person if you are sitting on the couch at 2 pm on a Sunday watching a movie as you are cleaning or doing laundry. I invite you to embrace rest in a way that feels joyful and healing to you. Whether it’s curling up with a book, soaking in a bath, doing yoga or simply gazing out the window, allow yourself to enjoy the stillness. It’s in the quiet moments that we can hear our own intuition and feel the presence of our higher power. I believe we are meant to recharge during this time of year. I’ll leave you with this quote:

“ ’No’ is a complete sentence.” Anne Lamott