Not Feeling Merry and Bright During the Winter Season? Lessons Learned From Nature
Daylight wanes, trees shed leaves, animals prepare for hibernation. While nature slows to rest, many of us bustle to meet deadlines and plan festivities making it a hectic holiday season. While winter activities with family and friends bring joy to many, others may experience emotions of tranquility, introspection or even a bit of melancholy. Do you find it difficult to keep up with the expectation of jubilation during a naturally more muted time of year?
Nature’s Example
During winter, trees undergo a process called dormancy. Many trees shed their leaves in preparation for the loss of daylight and water, thus conserving energy. Many trees even go through physiological changes, producing a type of antifreeze to protect their cells from low temperatures. Turning inward to fortify their roots, rest from growth and metabolic activities, and continue only processes essential for survival, trees build resiliency during harsh conditions. This dormant phase lasts until conditions are more favorable for growth again in the Spring.
Aligning our lives with the seasonal rhythm of nature can help us build resiliency. We too can emerge from winter focused and prepared for opportunities that lie ahead. Try balancing those times of celebration with quiet moments of rest and introspection.
Schedule Downtime: Plan specific periods for relaxation and reflection in your holiday calendar so you can be sure to prioritize them.
Mindful Moments: Incorporate mindfulness into your holiday preparations. Avoid participating in arbitrary activities that don’t bring you joy. Maybe savor a quiet moment enjoying a warm drink.
Nature Connection: Take a moment to recognize nature’s miraculous processes at work. Try to catch a glimpse of fresh snow silencing the noise around. Get outside for a short walk—the cold, crisp air can be rejuvenating.
Digital Detox: There’s no quicker way to get bummed out than comparing your holiday celebrations to that of your social media friends. Allow yourself time to disconnect from technology to enjoy uninterrupted moments of introspection.
Gratitude Practice: Reflect on all the good that you have witnessed this year. Practicing gratitude can help you have a more positive outlook for the future.
Simple Pleasures: Make time for the small things that bring you joy like reading a book, listening to music, or spending quality time with those who love you.
Remember that these moments of introspection don’t need to be grand gestures, but rather intentional efforts.
Introspection As A Compass
Thinking ahead to the new year? Introspection serves as a crucial foundation for goal setting. We often jump ahead to writing down the New Year’s resolutions we think others will be impressed by, lacking the personal meaning that will keep us going when the process gets challenging. Instead, it’s a good idea to set aside time to intentionally examine your priorities, reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and get clear on your objectives. This time of reflection can act as a compass, guiding you to goals that are not only achievable, but fulfilling to work toward.
It is easy to fall captive to many traps when setting goals, and to give you a few tips, we’re sharing a few of the most common.
All-or-Nothing Mentality: Many who set New Year’s resolutions on January 1 and abandon their goal by February 28 have often adopted an all-or-nothing mindset. They view setbacks or imperfect performances as failures rather than part of the journey to success. You must be kind to yourself and count every effort as progress and each roadblock as a challenge to be overcome.
Social Pressure: Too many of our goals are inherited through external pressure to perform. Whether it’s been set as an arbitrary standard by society, a well-intentioned request from a loved one, or fueled by unfair comparison through social media, we must be personally invested in the goal or we tend to unconsciously sabotage our chances for success.
Rigid Timelines: Making a habit of reflection throughout your journey is critical. This ongoing assessment of your goal and willingness to make adjustments can help you maintain momentum. Flexibility is a great skill to develop and can be the missing piece to overcoming challenges. Be willing to evolve your goals as your circumstances change.
Recognizing the transformation that happens in nature with the changing of seasons should validate the spectrum of emotions that can be felt at any time of year. If you’re feeling pulled into a wintery time of rest and reflection, recognize that it’s natural and even important to have moments of turning inward. These moments can build resilience and provide rejuvenation for continued growth when seasons change and conditions become more favorable.