Dear Friend,

 

Every other week I buy farm fresh eggs from a family outside of town. As the seasons change and the expansive summer months turn into shorter days with sparse sunlight, I wondered how this might impact my egg delivery.

 

So, I asked the farmer if they plan on continuing egg delivery through the winter months. “Yes, we will have enough eggs to sell through the winter,” she told me. “We have ultraviolet lights to help the chickens during the winter months, but they definitely produce less this time of year.”

 

That's because, for chickens, winter months signal it's time to conserve energy and stay warm rather than continue laying eggs. "That’s interesting,” I thought. “The artificial lights don't fully make up for the energy of the natural sunlight.” Her response surprised me and has been stuck in my head all week.

 

“We all need a season of rest,” she replied.

 

“Even the chickens!” I laughed.

 

I got in my car and drove home thinking about the hustle of our busy culture and the chronic fatigue that sets in when you don’t prioritize your own needs. I talk with so many people who work tirelessly both at home and in the workplace. They give of themselves to a point where they have nothing left for themselves. They're exhausted, burned out and don't know how to get off the hamster wheel of life. 😫 

 

I am reminded that nature holds so much wisdom. Just like the chickens need a season of less production and hunkering-down, so do you! It’s ok to slow down the pace, go inward or tap-out for a moment to enjoy the simple things. It’s usually because of this permission to rest that you will come back stronger, clearer and more energized when the time comes to take action towards what’s important to you.

 

Friend, this season, I encourage you to join me in embracing a “chicken winter.” Where you not only prioritize, but celebrate rest and make this season cozy and nurturing for your soul.

 

For me, it’s getting more sleep, cuddling on the couch watching movies with my family, staying in my pajamas until noon or making homemade soup 😋. Those are the things that bring me calm and ground me. 

 

 

 

In a society overly focused on constant production and doing MORE, let’s be rebels together and do less…

 

Less of what does’t matter

Less of what you don’t want

Less of what isn’t serving you anymore

 

This is a clearing of space for what really matters to you and honors your human need for rest. We all deserve it!