A New Year: Resting, Planting, and Aligning with Nature
As we step into the new year, there’s an undeniable energy in the air—a pull to set resolutions, dive headfirst into action, and achieve as much as possible, as quickly as possible. The world seems to buzz with productivity challenges, fresh starts, and the pressure to be “better” than we were the year before.
But this year, I’ve chosen to move differently.
In nature, winter is a time of stillness, reflection, and preparation. Trees stand bare, conserving their energy. Seeds remain nestled in the ground, waiting patiently for the right moment to grow. Animals slow their pace, some retreating into hibernation, honoring the rhythms that have sustained life for centuries.
Yet, modern life pushes us in the opposite direction. It celebrates hustle over rest, constant movement over stillness, and productivity over patience. It disconnects us from the wisdom of the natural world, leaving many of us burnt out, overwhelmed, and unaligned with the seasons of our own lives.
This year, I’ve decided to embrace the rhythm of nature.
Yes, I’ve set resolutions. I’ve reflected on my goals, envisioned my future, and chosen my path forward. But I’m not treating them as a checklist or a race to the finish line. Instead, I see them as seeds—small, intentional actions planted with care.
These seeds represent the life I’m building. For example, I’ve started incorporating movement into my days—20 minutes on the Peloton here, a long walk there—not to chase immediate results but to nurture a healthier version of myself. It’s not about hitting milestones overnight; it’s about preparing for the hikes I want to take with my kids when the weather warms. It’s about feeling energized for the adventures we’ll share this spring and summer.
To support these intentions, I’ve embraced a daily rhythm that feels natural and restorative. From 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., I dedicate myself to movement and productivity—tackling tasks, working toward my goals, and aligning my actions with my vision. But when midday comes, I shift gears completely. The rest of the day is for rest, connection, and reflection. This balance allows me to honor both my need for growth and my need for stillness.
This period of rest feels especially important because in two weeks, my routine will shift again. School and teaching will begin, bringing with them a new wave of responsibilities and demands on my time and energy. Before I know it, spring will arrive, and the busyness of life will be in full bloom. I can’t emerge from this season of rest unprepared—I need to plant the seeds now, laying the groundwork for a smoother transition into what’s to come.
Rest isn’t an interruption in the work; it’s part of it. In my home, midday downtime has become sacred—a space for quiet connection with my children and time to recharge. Just as seeds gather strength beneath the soil during the cold months, I need this season to recharge so I can bloom when the time is right.
This slower, more intentional approach has reframed my perspective on resolutions. I no longer see them as urgent tasks demanding immediate results. Instead, they’re promises I’ve made to myself and my family—commitments to nurture a life rooted in health, balance, and harmony.
And isn’t that what the new year should be about? Not about rushing to prove our worth through achievements but about laying the foundation for a life that feels meaningful and aligned.
As you reflect on your own resolutions, I encourage you to think of them as seeds. What are you planting this year? How will you nurture these intentions while allowing space for rest and stillness?
Let’s honor this season of preparation. Let’s give ourselves permission to slow down, to reflect, and to tend to the seeds we’ve planted. Because when the earth warms and the seeds begin to grow, we’ll see the beauty of what patience, care, and alignment with nature can create.
Here’s to a new year of planting, healing, and blooming—at nature’s pace.