Mother Nature built this time of year for turning inward, preparing for rebirth. But our cultural expectations + modern lives have disconnected us from this knowledge.
Accepting that this is a time of year for rest, stillness, reflection + letting go, I was better able to manage my own expectations for each day.
As an added precaution, last January when I was setting up my new planner, I wrote LEAN INTO THE LOUNGE in orange capitol letters. I knew I was going to need this reminder a year later when winter break rolled around again.
When I turned the page to December this year, I was thankful for the message from my past self. All month long, I've silently recited this mantra to myself, preparing for the slow days of winter break.
I've thought about the ways it feels good to fill my time, making a mental list of activities that would be cozy + indulgent: reading a book under a blanket, doing a puzzle while drinking wine, coloring in my unused adult coloring books, cooking with my husband.
Making art for the sake of making art with no expectations + no time limit.
The thing is, my family—well, us three girls; my husband, not so much, as he paces when he's indoors too long—are pretty good at settling into the rhythm of being home together. When I remind myself that my 5- and 9-year-olds don’t need me quite as much as they used to, I realize how much freedom I actually have during Winter Break, free from the constraints of our usual school schedule.
With that in mind, I want to encourage you to find your own ways to lean into the lounge this year. What does that look like for you? When you're not caught up in the doing or the need to be productive, how do you choose to spend your time?
P.S. If you know you're going to go stir crazy by the end of winter break, even when you lean into the lounge, I suggest scheduling some time for yourself after school's back in session. Having an intentional activity to look forward to just for you goes a long way in keeping spirits bright.
