Taking It Slow: Lessons from Winter and Postpartum
January often carries the expectation of a fresh start—new goals, new routines, a chance to “get it together.” But every year, I’m reminded of how counterintuitive this feels. Winter, with its stillness and frozen landscapes, teaches us something else: the value of moving slowly. While everything around us might demand momentum, nature encourages us to pause, reflect, and ease into the year.
This lesson feels especially poignant when I think about the postpartum period. After the monumental experience of childbirth, so much is demanded of you—caring for your baby, adjusting to a new rhythm, navigating the expectations of extended family, and contending with cultural pressures to "bounce back." It’s overwhelming. But like winter, postpartum is a time to embrace stillness. The best thing you can do is take it slow, honoring this unique season in your life.
In my own life, I often struggle with this. I push myself—whether it’s in work, fitness, or just the day-to-day grind—until I reach a breaking point. A personal example is my yoga practice: I love challenging myself with advanced classes, but too often, I tweak something because I’ve ignored the signals to back off. This month, I’ve committed to “ease.” I’m choosing what feels good over what feels like an accomplishment, noticing what feels like too much and allowing myself to step back. I remind myself that the ice will thaw in spring; there’s no need to force progress before its time.
The same principle applies to postpartum. You don’t have to do everything all at once. You don’t have to say yes to every visitor, every favor, every expectation. Give yourself permission to move slowly, to rest, and to adjust at your own pace. The world will wait. Your thaw will come.
Whether it’s January, postpartum, or any moment that demands more than you feel ready to give, I hope this message resonates. It’s okay to pause. It’s okay to ease in. There’s strength in moving slowly.
How are you embracing ease in this season of your life?
