Originally published November 24, 2024
Back in October we talked about seasonal rhythms and holiday planning in advance.
But how do we shift from preparation to experiencing?
Our preparation strategies are (and have to be) different from our experience strategies that help manage our energy and needs during the event(s).
Part of my preparation for experiencing means this newsletter will be taking a break next weekend because #RestIsImportant and let's be honest, we all want to avoid the absolute chaos of our inboxes during Black Friday weekend. I'll be back again on December 8th as normal!
Now let's jump into the meat and potatoes of today's topic...
The Seasonal Surrender
We know that winter naturally invites us to slow down, yet our modern life often expects us to maintain the same intense pace year-round.
This disconnect between our natural rhythms and societal expectations creates a unique kind of stress - one where we're constantly fighting against ourselves.
It's like trying to stay awake at 3am when every cell in your body is begging for sleep.
This struggle is amplified during the holiday season. Where the pressure to maintain peak-level energy collides with winter's call for rest and we end up pushing ourselves to:
- Keep up regular work productivity
- Attend every social event
- Tackle ambitious end-of-year goals
- Create picture-perfect holiday experiences
- Start planning next year's achievements
All while our bodies are asking us to:
- Sleep a little longer
- Move a little slower
- Turn inward for reflection
- Conserve energy for what truly matters
- Find comfort in quiet moments
This resistance often shows up as frustration with ourselves - that inner voice questioning why we can't just "push through" or "do more." Feeling guilty for wanting more rest or judging ourselves for having less motivation than usual.
But here's what I've learned in my own journey with seasonal energy management:
Fighting against winter's natural invitation to slow down is like swimming upstream. You can do it for a while, but eventually, you'll exhaust yourself trying to maintain a pace that the current season simply doesn't support.
Instead, what if we experimented with surrendering to winter's rhythm?
This doesn't mean dropping all responsibilities or hibernating until spring (though daydreams of endless rotting has it's appeal!)
Rather, it's about making intentional adjustments that honor both our seasonal needs and our commitments. Giving ourselves grace and our future selves trust so that we can stay present, avoid anxiety, and focus on managing stress as it comes instead of borrowing it from tomorrow.
Here are some examples of intentional adjustments that my clients and I have use:
