Winter is my season of quiet and introspection. I find myself reflecting more on my life, reading more, and I also tend to write more. For me, it’s the best time of year to go within and get to know yourself a bit more.

Over the winter season, particularly as we say so long to this year that has been incredibly challenging, I encourage you to slow down during this hurried season. Become more conscious and aware that everything doesn’t have to be finished so soon. Pay attention to what’s going on around you in nature and notice to how much your body wants to mirror that.

Reflect on this year that is soon coming to an end. Acknowledge and celebrate where you’ve grown, what you’ve learned, how far you’ve come.

And of course, do all of this with kindness and grace. Be kind, gentle, and loving towards yourself.

When we think about the themes of the winter solstice, we can see how a call to bring light into the darkness aligns with how we celebrate Christmas. December is a month that can feel overwhelmingly busy. From preparing for the holidays to managing end-of-year work responsibilities, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of stress and over-scheduling. But in all of the chaos there are simple, powerful ways to create space for more softness, slowness and for winter reflection.