The winter season finally seems to be settling in, albeit with a lot more brown and green than I’m used to. (The featured image is from a more wintery winter. Actually an early spring.) As I’ve mentioned before, I’ve made intentional choices to ease my load and hope to embrace the natural rhythm of this quieter time. But that’s not to say that my progress has stopped completely.

I’m resisting the urge to do “New Year’s resolutions.” I’ve seen a lot of focus recently on humans having evolved to do less in the winter and how we should embrace this slow down.

So that’s what I’m trying to do. Especially with how hard this time of year is for me. I’ll leave any big changes to my life for the spring, the time when it feels much more fitting to make changes. In the meantime, I’m just doing my best to do what I can with the time I’ve got.

I recently passed a milestone with my WIP, Wilder Lands that I feel like I should’ve passed a while ago. But I just haven’t had the time or motivation. I finally finished my initial read-through for developmental edits and mapped out the changes I want to make. I have about 8 scenes to add, plus reading back through it again to make the rest of the text fit with what I’ve added.

Now I just need to actually do it.

I’m also going to start an anonymous Tumblr to write out some more personal things that I’ve wanted to get off my chest for a while. I’ve started writing out memories as part of my therapy process, and compared to how much I’ve been struggling with other things, I’ve been downright prophetic with these pieces.

However, I feel compelled to share them somewhere publicly for them to feel really “off” my chest. Hence the Tumblr. The blog will allow me to give voice to thoughts that seek catharsis. It’s a journey into vulnerability but in a measured, safe way for my mental health.

Finally, I’m looking into an art project of some sort for the winter months. My brother and sister-in-law got me an art supply set for Christmas, and I’d already been feeling the urge to do something artistic. So this seems like the opportune time to start messing around with something. The only problem is I have no ideas and no real motivation. So I might end up purchasing some sort of paint my numbers to help get the ball rolling and allow me to be creative without expending so much mental energy.

I would love to hear about what others are doing to embrace the winter slowdown. I’m tired of seeing everyone “rise and grind.” I want to see people living their best life by taking breaks and stopping to smell the roses.