Rest and Retreat
It’s wintery here in Northern Germany. The days are greyish, sometimes brightened by faint sunshine seeping through stone-coloured clouds. The days are short with just seven and a half hours of daylight. The trees are bare, even the last leaves have fallen. Nature is in retreat, hibernating, conserving what energy it has left.
Our human bodies crave that retreat to restore too. Just like our souls seek calm connections and harmony.
Yet balancing joyful, heartwarming festivities of the season with the inner focus our bodies and souls need can feel delicate.
The challenge, of course, is that December has the busiest week or the year. Our schedules overflow with social, professional and family commitments. There are expectations and people count on us to show up. We tumble forward into the busyness of the festivities and by the time we find ourselves sitting by the Christmas tree or raising a glass to the New Year, we’re often exhausted.
The quiet inner focus we genuinely need during these short days leading up to the Winter Solstice is easily pushed aside. Often because we don’t really know what makes us feel deeply calm, grounded or connected to ourselves.
More than once I have taken a bath, hoping to relax, only to catch myself restlessly eyeing the clock, wondering when I could get out and if I was now more calm than before.
What does give us the wholesome restoration our bodies and souls long for?
This is exactly where meaningful inner work and beautiful results can begin. Start by exploring what leaning into the Winter Solstice means to you. What does hibernation look like in your life? What does it feel like to retreat, withdraw and replenish?
There are so many pathways to peace, calm, connection and harmony. Begin with a gentle brainstorm of what it might be for you. Here are a few ideas to spark your inspiration:
taking a walk in the crisp winter air
curling up on the couch with a book
sharing an intimate conversation with a dear friend
gently moving your body with a yoga practice
getting creative with paints, colours, textiles or your camera
cooking or baking something you love and savouring the process
I encourage you to write or mind-map your list. Putting it down on paper makes it tangible. As you jot down each idea, you will feel which ones ring true for you, and which ones don’t.
So tell me: what will make it onto your list of winter favourites?
Congratulations on creating your rest-and-retreat list.
Now it’s time to make it real. Block moments, an hour or even a day to honour your winter rest. It may feel wobbly at first, but finding your balance is possible.
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Wishing you wonderfully wholesome and cosy weeks as you move towards the end of 2025.
~ Caroline
