Winter Break

Katherine Warren

I love the messages I’m seeing so much more than I used to this time of year: encouragement to slow down, start the year soft instead of strong, and thoroughly enjoy the downtime.

I even saw one message suggesting people turn into a couch this holiday week. I love that, I’m working on that, and I did better this year than I ever have before.


In fact, this is the first year I’ve ever fully taken off of work the week between Christmas and New Year. I thought I’d go crazy by Thursday to be honest. I thought I’d need to pop into the office for a bit or get out and do more “productive” things. But I didn’t, and I fully credit the work I’ve been doing on understanding what it truly means for me, Katherine, to relax.


Because here’s that “no one size fits all” thing again, what relaxes me is likely very different than what relaxes you.

Do I have immaculately organized drawers throughout my house now? Yes. Did I finally get around to putting the lawn furniture away for the winter? You bet. So I did some things, but you know what else I did? I relaxed for hours at a time, fully, deeply and unapologetically. I watched more movies than I have maybe, ever; I read and read some more; and even enjoyed some elongated TiK Tok time.


My workout and stretch sessions lingered longer. I took the pup on walks around town instead of just in our neighborhood. I started reorganizing the 1,600 recipes I’ve collected over the years (no, I haven’t cooked them all, I have a bit of a recipe-collecting habit :)). I just simply lived my life without defining what that life “should” or “could” be.


Am I ready to go back to work? More than ready. I think I’m starting to hit my limit. But I genuinely hope to carry some of this new understanding into the new year :


Life doesn’t have to be constant progress. We can take big, long, lovely breaks and still feel good about ourselves.


“The world is hibernating over winter, you should give yourself permission to also.” That’s a phrase I use a lot teaching yoga as the winter weeks get long. I’m going to attempt to live this as best I can, while welcoming back fuller calendars, more obligations, and stronger agendas. I’m going to try love and respect both sides of my life AND make room for both. Often.



Here’s wishing you whatever it is you truly need this year. And the time, peace and privilege to take some slow, still moments to listen to what that really is.

_

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