January is here, and with it, the fresh start of a new year. For me, it’s always a time of duality — balancing my dreams for the year ahead with the soft, reflective energy this winter season calls for. These quieter days remind me to hibernate, restore, and lay the groundwork for all that’s to come (to be broken up by the thrill of hitting the slopes, obviously…).
Winter isn’t just a time for bulky layers and shorter days — it’s a season that calls us inward. In conversations with friends, I’ve noticed how much more attuned we’ve become to the rhythms of the seasons. We’re not meant to be in ‘go mode‘ all year long. Instead, this season invites us to rest, dream, and plant seeds for the future.
Personally, I feel a tension between the excitement to take action on my vision for the year and the quiet whisper of ‘not yet…not yet…’ That trusted inner voice reminds me to nurture myself so I don’t become exhausted by April by going all in starting January 1.
Why I’m Saying Goodbye to Resolutions
Resolutions often feel like a checklist of obligations — things we think we ‘should’ do. But I’ve found they rarely align with the big picture of the life I want to create. Instead, I’m embracing intention, vision, and a roadmap of my own making. If you’re here, I bet you are too. It’s what led me to create a journal and a planner for myself to help stay clear on my path through the year. And if you’ve been here for awhile, you’ve come along for the evolution and all the interations from paepr to Forest+Winter to Focus On Simple to Holistic Living, where we find ourselves today. It’s been a journey, and the journey continues, and that’s kind of the point…
How I’m Embracing Winter’s Soft Energy
I’m excited for this year and to get further dialed in to my own path and journey and the work that’s required along the way. But in this winter season, I’m focusing on small, meaningful rituals to prepare for the months ahead :
Good Sleep : Prioritizing rest so I have the energy for my dreams.
Nourishment : Cooking warm, healthy meals that feel like a hug for my body.
Organizing and Decluttering : Creating a physical and mental environment that feels clear and inspiring.
Reading and Journaling : Reflecting on what’s important to me and what I’m working toward.
Tools to Support Your Journey
If you’re ready to start crafting your bold vision, this season of dreaming is the perfect time to begin. You can start with the Wayfinder Journal, a powerful guide designed to help you craft a bold, meaningful 10-year life vision, guiding you step by step to discover your purpose and create a future aligned with your deepest desires. Aaaaannnd/or you can enroll in the One Wild and Precious Life digital course. It’s based on the Wayfinder Journal process with additional exercises and content. This course guides you through the steps of understanding yourself on a deeper level in order to create a life vision that aligns with your core values + dreams. Having clarity on who you are in your soul, what you want in your heart, and a map for the journey is pretty invaluable, don’t you think?
As we move through the winter months, remember that this season of rest is meant to cherished and protected — it’s preparation for the seasons of growth and action ahead. Listen to your own whispers, honor the pace that feels right for you, and trust that the groundwork you lay now will serve your boldest dreams.
“Wisdom comes with winters.”
– Oscar Wilde