December hits and suddenly you feel like you’re running on half-battery, even though your to-do list hasn’t gotten the memo. While everyone around you is pushing to “finish strong,” you know it’s time to slow down.
That instinct isn’t laziness. You’re actually responding to a biological rhythm that humans have followed for centuries, even if modern life tries to push against it.
Here’s what’s happening: studies in chronobiology show that seasonal changes influence hormones and sleep patterns, with noticeable shifts in energy and motivation.
The problem is that modern life expects you to maintain the same energy levels year-round, which creates an exhausting mismatch.
Katherine May’s concept of “wintering” offers a different approach. Instead of fighting these natural energy dips, what if you worked with them?
Animals conserve energy during colder months without any guilt or productivity anxiety. They understand something we’ve forgotten: rest isn’t the opposite of productivity – it’s what makes productivity sustainable.
Neuroscience research also reveals something counterintuitive: your brain is incredibly active during periods of rest. This is when it consolidates memories, processes emotions, and repairs neural pathways damaged by stress. What looks like stillness from the outside is actually a vital form of restoration on the inside.
I know it’s not winter everywhere, but this liminal space between year’s end and new beginnings offers everyone a natural opportunity to slow down and reset.
So how do you actually put this into practice without completely abandoning your responsibilities? The key is making small, intentional adjustments that align with your natural rhythms while still moving your life forward. Here are four ways to start:
1) Create a wintering nest. Set up one corner of your home dedicated to rest and reflection: comfortable seating, good lighting, some books or a journal, maybe even a “no phone” sign. Having a designated space you can reliably retreat to makes it easier to actually use your downtime.
2) Adjust your rhythm. Look at your calendar and identify what’s truly necessary versus what you’re doing out of habit. December is perfect for experimenting with saying no to non-essential commitments. Notice how much mental space opens up when you’re not constantly rushing between obligations..
3) Choose nurturing activities. Engage in activities that require presence rather than performance. Reading without taking notes, cooking without recipes, or working on small creative projects with no end goal. These activities help your nervous system downshift from constant productivity mode.
4) Prioritize quality connections. Instead of spreading yourself thin across multiple social obligations, choose deeper interactions with fewer people. Cook for someone, have longer conversations, invite a couple of friends over for a quiet evening, or simply hang out together without the pressure to entertain.
As you move through December and into a new year, give yourself permission to slow down. The idea isn’t to become a hermit, it’s to align your energy with your actual capacity instead of forcing yourself to operate at 100% year-round.
When you create intentional space for rest and reflection, you build a solid foundation for your next season of growth and discovery.
Tiny Experiment of the Week
Ready to put these ideas into practice? Try this week’s tiny experiment to help you practice slowing down:
I will [try one slow activity each day] for [5 days].
Five minutes of doodling, reading a good old magazine, or writing a few lines just to help you feel more present. This will also reinforce that restoration doesn’t require huge chunks of time. Want to dig deeper? Get your copy of Tiny Experiments.