Rising Rooted

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Winter often feels like a contradiction. On one hand, it invites cozy moments by the fire, steaming mugs of tea, and blankets piled high. On the other, it can bring a heaviness—a longing for sunlight, energy, and warmth that seems just out of reach. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) makes this longing even sharper, pulling us into a darker season within ourselves.

But what if winter wasn’t just something to “get through”? What if it held wisdom about how we’re meant to live—not in perpetual motion, but in cycles of growth, rest, and renewal?

How SAD Challenges the Myth of Productivity

For many, SAD feels like a personal failure. We think, “Why can’t I just keep going like everyone else?” But here’s the truth: It’s not that you’re lazy or broken. It’s that our culture wasn’t designed to honor natural rhythms.

The myth of endless productivity pressures us to hustle, even in the dead of winter. Yet humans aren’t machines; we’re not wired to operate at the same speed year-round. Unlike animals that rest and slow down during the colder months, we live in a world where rest isn’t always an option. Work, bills, and caregiving responsibilities don’t pause.

This makes it even more important to tune into your body’s needs. When your body whispers, “Slow down,” it’s not a sign of weakness; it’s a call to align with the season. Resting in the dark season isn’t laziness—it’s reclaiming what’s been stolen by a culture that values doing over being.

Listening to the Wisdom of Winter

Instead of fighting feelings of low energy or sadness, what if you approached them with curiosity? These feelings may not be here to drag you down but to guide you toward what your body and mind need.

Try This Somatic Practice:

• Take a moment to pause and check in with your body.
• Ask yourself:
  • What sensations do I feel—tightness, warmth, or heaviness?
  • Where does my body feel drawn to rest or move?
  • What does my body need right now: a stretch, a deep breath, or stillness?

If you’re familiar with parts work, this season can be an invitation to meet the parts of yourself that emerge in winter. Is there a part of you that feels withdrawn? What does it need? Approach these parts with compassion, and let them guide you toward care.

Systemic Pressures That Make Winter Harder

While personal practices can help, it’s important to acknowledge the systemic issues that amplify winter’s challenges:

• Lack of public green spaces to access natural light and fresh air.
• Inadequate mental health funding that leaves many struggling without support.
• Climate change disrupting seasonal rhythms and impacting mental well-being.

These factors aren’t your fault, and they’re not something you can solve on your own. However, small collective actions—like organizing community winter walks or advocating for better mental health resources—can foster connection and resilience.

Radical Rest as Resistance

In a world that demands constant productivity, choosing to rest is a radical act. Slowing down to journal by candlelight, curl up with a weighted blanket, or even take a nap is a way of reclaiming your humanity.

Practical ways to nurture yourself this winter:

1. Create a “rest nest” with blankets, warm drinks, and soothing scents to make rest feel inviting.

2. Journal in the evenings to reflect on what this season is teaching you about yourself.

3. Practice body scans to reconnect with your body’s needs each day.

Embracing the Gifts of Winter’s Wisdom

Winter is an invitation to turn inward, to honor the quieter parts of yourself that often get drowned out by the noise of daily life. This season isn’t a punishment—it’s a pause. A chance to realign with the natural cycles of rest and renewal.

As you navigate shorter days and longer nights, ask yourself: What might shift if I stopped resisting winter and started embracing its gifts?

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If this spoke to something in you, there are a few paths you can follow from here:

Each door leads somewhere different. It is my hope that all of them lead back to you.

<3 Rachel