Seasonal Resolutions

A few years ago we wrote a blog about new year’s resolutions that was based on a conversation with a fitness professional.  Her advice was pragmatic and useful.  We strive to be intentional with our blog and newsletter to provide resources for our audience living a nomadic lifestyle.

We are revisiting the concept of how to handle new year’s resolutions; however, we are incorporating the idea of “Wintering” –  a term popularized by author Katherine May that describes embracing life's natural fallow periods and cycles of rest and renewal.  Let’s explore resolutions while making room for the seasonality of life.

Reframe Your Resolutions

There is natural enthusiasm and energy with the idea of creating a resolution that will get you to a goal.  Maintaining that enthusiasm so that you can be consistent throughout the year is often the hard part.  Reframing our resolutions to incorporate space for slower, more restful periods of time is equivalent to taking time to recover on a weekend from a hectic work week.  We are so used to this notion that each moment must be lived to its fullest and the most productive moment of our life, but what if slowing down is the fullest and most productive moment for this time of your life? What if we interpreted this idea with only some of the information? Perhaps, trying to power through resolutions is the downfall to keeping up with them in the first place.

Winterize Your Calendar

Periods of wintering as described by Katherine May follow the seasons but can also happen at any time of the year. The concept of “winter” is really meant as a quiet time of isolation and downtrodden period of life.  So how can you make room to go through an unexpected winter and still accomplish your goals for the year? 

Here are some thoughts on how to incorporate wintering into your plan for new year's resolutions.

Identify your known “winter” periods in the year.

These are times when you have less energy or motivation to be productive.

Ask yourself:

• How do you like to spend the holidays? A quiet time at home or big adventures? 

• On the weekend, do you block out time where you can just simply be?

• Is summer the time that you really need to unplug and get away?

• During your winter periods, can you incorporate your resolutions?

  • For example, if your new year’s resolution is to cook healthier meals, ask yourself if cooking is something you enjoy during your winter periods? If the answer is “no,” what needs to change? Is it your resolution, or can you adjust the resolution during these times? Maybe you cook ahead and freeze some meals, have someone else in the family take over cooking, or find restaurants known for preparing food that meets your goals. 

What do you need to be successful during a winter period?

• Remember to give yourself space to be in this time. It is okay to slow down. It is okay to skip the social event, or just order take out. 

• What can you stick to on your worst day? This is something I heard James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, mention on a podcast about how to initiate change with small habits.

• Can you intentionally schedule less activities during this time? Be thoughtful about what you commit to during this time if you know you will be struggling with accomplishing the tasks, work, or being present at a social event.

Embrace reflection as part of wintering.

If you experience feelings of sadness or grief during your slow times, reflect on:

• What your wintering is for you,

• Why are you wintering, and

• Is it meant to help you get to your next place in life? Even if that next place is simply tomorrow.

It is okay to be sad and to want to take a break. It is also okay to accept help during this time. You can be in a period of winter and discover the purpose through reflection and quiet.

PCS and Wintering

For us, PCS is often a time of wintering that conflicts with the hustle and bustle of a move.  We are saying goodbye to what we have known and loved for the last few years without much space to winter. Winterize your PCS plan ahead of going through it.

• Carve out time every week that is just for you. Sunday mornings are great to slow down and take it easy.

• Most likely, you don’t have to attend every farewell event. If your position requires it, make a plan. Be intentional about what you will say “no” to in order to show up for these events.

• Begin your PCS task early. Start preparing for your move before the real crunch time so you can still be in your winter period too.

This past holiday season, my family and I had very loose plans to go on a quick getaway. Hearing our friends’ talk about their upcoming trips got us excited about the prospect for our own adventures. When the holidays came around though, we opted to hibernate in lieu of a trip. This made sticking to some of our other routines easier and we were able to relax -- it was spectacular! While we weren’t quite ready to come out of hibernation to go back to the day-to-day, we mapped out our January calendar to carve out time to rest.

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