Winter’s Reminder: Slow Down, Rest, Repeat

Two weeks into January, and I'm still finding bits of glitter from Christmas tucked into corners of my house. The holiday whirlwind at my parents' was exactly that: you barely sit down before someone's asking, "Have you eaten?" even though you're still digesting breakfast. Between the over-the-top holiday spread (I'm looking at you, Mom's fourth dessert option), the wrapping paper chaos, and kids bouncing off the walls from a sugar rush that might never end, it was that familiar joyful madness that somehow always rolls right into New Year's.

And now here we are, mid-January, my hardest month of the year. The one that always leaves me feeling like I'm trudging through molasses. The festive cheer has faded, but winter's grip is stronger than ever. The Christmas decorations are boxed away, leaving behind that stark emptiness that somehow makes everything feel... heavier. Despite our annual vow to "spend less this Christmas," our bank account is looking as bare as the packed-away tree, and that January credit card bill is lurking around the corner like a seasonal villain.

While I'm still trying to pull us back into a routine, the sounds of daily life carry on—footsteps, laughter, and the occasional sibling squabble—and the house feels quieter than usual, or at least as quiet as it ever gets with kids. Yesterday, I found myself standing in the kitchen, wearing two pairs of socks, a hoodie, and what can only be described as the world's coziest wearable blanket (I refuse to call it anything else). It’s -35°C again, though we did have a few mild days—just enough to tease us before plunging back into the deep freeze. It’s like the weather can’t make up its mind. Why can’t it just stay at a reasonable -10°C all winter? I was staring blankly at a bag of potatoes, wondering if I had the emotional energy to peel them, when my eight-year-old walked in, took one look at me, and said, "Mom, you look like you're about to nap standing up."

If you live in the middle of Canada—or anywhere winter gets real—you know the vibe. Winter is a full-time mood. The snow starts falling, the roads turn into an obstacle course of ice and questionable driving decisions, and suddenly everything feels heavier. The air. The meals. The laundry (how does it even multiply this much?).

The magic of the holidays is packed away with the decorations, and what's left feels raw and real. Every year, without fail, this is when my energy hits rock bottom. The shorter days, the bone-deep cold, and the seeming endlessness of winter ahead can feel overwhelming. But this year, I'm trying to see it differently, maybe January isn't broken. Maybe I'm just not supposed to run at summer speed right now.

Take seeds, for example. (Yes, I'm going to talk about seeds. Stay with me.) In winter, they aren't rushing to grow. They don't question their purpose or panic that they aren't sprouting fast enough. Nope. They sit there, tucked under the snow, conserving energy, storing potential, and just being.

Meanwhile, I'm over here cramming schedules, projects, and productivity into a season that's practically begging me to take a nap. Even the trees know better... they stop producing leaves, pull energy into their roots, and ride out the cold. Bears hibernate, animals slow down, and the earth itself quiets. So why am I sitting here in my wearable blanket, feeling guilty for wanting stew, silence, and maybe a sleep-in past 7?

This year, I'm trying something different. Instead of fighting winter—and especially January—I'm embracing it.

If I want to eat heavier foods—stews, breads, and enough potatoes to feed a small village—I will. If my movement looks less like a high-energy workout and more like yoga or a slow, meandering walk in the snow, so be it. If I need more rest (and yes, that includes letting myself linger in bed), I'm giving myself permission.

Winter isn't the time to sprint; it's the time to gather. To recharge. To wait.

Of course, this is my house we're talking about. Slowing down doesn’t mean my kids suddenly embrace the concept of calm. One moment, they’re peacefully playing piano or reading; the next, they’re fighting over who has to put on headphones because the other one “can’t concentrate.” And let’s not forget the constant battles over who gets the remote, mini stick hockey games that escalate into full-blown tournaments in the hallway, and the epic snack wars. The real drama is discovering someone’s hidden the last snack stash, and the ensuing interrogation to uncover the culprit.

But I'm trying to look at the chaos differently. Winter is teaching me to stop demanding perfection from myself or my family. If I want to sit with a book and pretend I can't hear the kids fighting in the next room, I will. If I decide to let them argue it out and just make hot chocolate for everyone when it's done, that's a win.

Winter reminds me that life works in seasons. Some are for growth, movement, and "go-go-go," but others? Others are for rest. Reflection. Waiting quietly for what comes next.

When I stop trying to fight the slower rhythm of winter, it feels like a breath of fresh air. A chance to pull my energy inward, focus on what truly matters, and stop running myself ragged just because the calendar demands it.

Sometimes, being a human hibernating bear is how we find balance.

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Because nothing pairs better with leaning into winter than a hearty, comforting soup. This Wild Rice Soup recipe from Gimme Some Oven is a family favorite at our house.

Ingredients:

• 6 tablespoons butter or olive oil

• 1 small white onion, diced

• 2 medium carrots, diced

• 2 stalks celery, diced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups chicken or veggie stock

• 2 cups wild rice blend

• 2 bay leaves

• 2 sweet potatoes, diced

• 4 cups kale or spinach, chopped

• 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk

• Salt and pepper to taste

  
  

Instructions:

1. Heat the butter or oil in a large pot. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until softened.

2. Stir in the stock, wild rice, and bay leaves. Cover and simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add sweet potatoes, cook for an additional 20 minutes.

4. Stir in kale or spinach and cream. Simmer until greens are wilted.

5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot and enjoy!

   
   

Pro Tip: Make a double batch—it freezes beautifully for those days when you just don’t feel like cooking.

Alternate cream sauce recipe: In place of the coconut milk, you can either add 1 1/2 cups half and half.  Or you can make a cream sauce by melting 3 tablespoons of butter in a (separate) saucepan over medium-high heat, whisking in 1/4 cup flour for one minute, and then whisking in 1 1/2 cups milk until the mixture is smooth.  Let the sauce cook until it nearly reaches a simmer, at which point it will thicken, then remove from heat and add the sauce to the soup once the rice has completely cooked.

Do you have a favorite winter comfort food or tradition? Share it in the comments below. I’d love to hear how you’re leaning into the season!