How Winter Slows Us Down (And Why That’s Actually Useful)
That first week of January, after the holidays finally wind down, it feels like the whole house exhales. Even the kids seem to sense it. They play more quietly. They linger longer on the couch with a book. After weeks of full throttle living and a little too much sugar, everything naturally slows. We follow nature’s lead and step into a much needed rest.
This is the season when nothing is rushing. Not the trees. Not the garden. Not even the weeds. When I look out the window here at the farm, all I see is calm. The beds are quiet. The trees stand bare. The pasture waits patiently, doing exactly what it’s meant to do right now. Rest.
Winter has a way of slowing us down, even when we don’t plan for it. The cold settles in. The daylight shortens. Cozying up starts to sound pretty appealing, and there’s a reason for that. Our bodies weren’t designed to push at the same pace all year long. This season asks us to settle in, warm our bones, and listen. And if we don’t give ourselves that rest? Winter has a funny way of insisting on it anyway. Usually in the form of a cold that knocks us flat. So consider this your gentle reminder. Rest up, mamas.
Out in the flower field, a lot is happening beneath the surface. Some beds are holding onto life that’s determined to make it through winter, hunkering down close to the soil and bracing against the wind. Other beds are empty, but far from inactive. They’re being replenished with nutrients, building healthy soil so they’re ready to receive new growth in spring. There’s a careful balance of rest, planning, and quiet maintenance. And honestly, it mirrors our own lives more than we realize.
Slowing down doesn’t come easily, especially for busy moms who are used to going nonstop. But this isn’t wasted time. It’s necessary time. This pause is what makes spring growth possible. The reset we give ourselves now is what allows us to thrive later. Just like nature, resting well now sets the tone for the entire year ahead.
If slowing down feels hard, here are a few gentle ways to ease into it.
Create a five minute morning ritual.
Try waking up just a few minutes earlier than usual. Keep a journal and pen by your bed. Before you grab your phone or step into the day, write. It can be gratitude, hopes for the year, or simply whatever is on your mind. The point isn’t perfection. It’s carving out a small moment that belongs just to you.
Lower your home expectations.
This one is tough, but freeing. Winter means more time indoors, which naturally means more mess. More toys. More laundry. More clutter. And that’s okay. Let it go where you can. I love keeping baskets around the house for quick cleanups when things feel overwhelming. Sometimes I do it. Sometimes the kids do. And in the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more about keeping beauty at eye level so the chaos doesn’t steal your peace.
Winter is such a powerful season for emotional grounding. Nature is giving us permission to breathe instead of perform. To pause instead of push. I’m choosing to listen.
Winter is the pause that lets spring happen. And that same rhythm can hold space in your home, too.
