Winter: A Time to Slow Down, Reflect, and Begin Again

Regardless of how every little piece of it turned out, take a moment to acknowledge what you accomplished this year. That matters.

Now it’s time for two things: rest and celebration.

Whatever your faith or spiritual perspective, there’s no denying that this time of year carries something special. December 21st is the Winter Solstice — the shortest, darkest day of the year. From here, we move forward into renewal. And with a new year on the horizon, it’s natural to start thinking about intentions, resolutions, and what you want to create next.

I love this. It’s essentially goal setting — something we should all be doing regularly.

The Water Element

In Chinese Medicine and Taoism, winter belongs to the water element. Living here in central Texas, we don’t get many snow days — or even prolonged stretches of cold. But winter still calls us to slow down, and I think that’s something our culture desperately needs.

As a society, we tend to pile more and more onto our plates every year, demanding that our bodies and minds keep pace. We don’t honor recuperation. But winter, even subtly, invites us to sit by the fire, read a good book, and actually be still for a while. That’s what I love most about this season.

The water element asks us to be reflective. To listen. To unwind. To become more present and more aware — and to let go of the fears that are really just stories we’ve been telling ourselves. You know the ones. The whispers that something is going to go wrong, or that things won’t go the way you want.

Letting Go

Slowing down and reflecting also means releasing missed opportunities and missteps. It means accepting what was and what is — and finding genuine gratitude in that.

If you don’t make space for this kind of practice — regularly, or at least once a year — you may find yourself drifting into a prolonged dark place, heavy with regret and self-criticism. This season is your invitation to do the opposite.

Let the winter holidays be a time to simply be. Indulge in some self-care and some peace and quiet. And while you’re there, reflect on your life — what you love about it, what you want to change, and what you will change.

“The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none.” — Thomas Carlile

Some Questions Worth Sitting With

Make some tea. Think and feel. Notice how your thoughts affect you. Journal. Do some yoga. Take a bath. Come back to it.

• How do you want your life to be?
• If you were 99 years old looking back, what would you regret not changing now?
• What legacy do you want to leave?
• Are you pursuing your dreams — or have you quietly let them go?
• What do you need to release this year?

Remember: it is your life, and it is happening right now. You’re in the middle of it. It’s worth engineering it so that you’re actually living it the way that makes you happiest — in a way that nourishes you on every level and lets you express your gifts and your love most fully.

If you like these questions, get the essential questions here — a set of journaling prompts I put together to help you go deeper.

Journaling is exceptionally valuable. Set aside at least 30 minutes, get into the zone, and let yourself write freely — stream of consciousness, no editing, no judgment. You’ll feel great afterward because you’ve made it real. You’ve become more aware of where you are and where you’re going.

Spring is still a couple of months away, so if you don’t finish over the holiday break — come back to it soon. I promise you’ll be glad you did.

I’d love to hear how you renew and restore yourself this time of year — leave a comment below.

To all of my wonderful clients and subscribers: thank you. I wish you peace, a full heart, and a season that truly restores you.