3 Ways to Embrace a Natural Rhythm this January

The 1st of January is when we’re told that we need to make promises to ourselves that we know we’ll likely break by the time February comes around. The cultural pressure to commit to the ‘New Year, New You’ trope leads us into fad diets, gym subscriptions and an expectation that we should be at peak performance. We may well have moved from one year to the next, but to consider this a time for radical change is arbitrary. In fact over history the date of New Year has changed, Roman’s, in fact, used to celebrate New Year on the 1st March, a time that naturally aligns with the natural return of life.

Consider nature in January. It’s in the deepest part of winter: a time of dormancy, rest, and hidden slow preparation beneath the soggy or frozen ground. Imagine attempting to grow a sunflower at this time of year, it would be doomed to fail.

Read on for 3 ways of looking to the natural world for a more sustainable and compassionate approach to the New Year:

1.        Embrace slowness: use January as the month of preparation, not pressure

Despite the stillness of January, there is still slow activity happening under the ground. Snowdrops and aconites are getting ready to shoot, the underground network of roots and mycelium are still operating, and the microbes in the soil are grafting away.

This slow, but hidden effort can be our blueprint for January. It teaches us that growth requires building a gentle, yet robust foundation. Ways of tending to your root system:

·        Take an internal inventory:

Instead of forcing changes to your diet or exercise routine, use the month to to take stock, reflect and research. What did you learn over the last year? What habits truly align with your values? What do you need to acquire before you launch your big goal? This is the slow, mindful "grafting" that can lead to greater levels of success later.

·        Conservation, not activation:

Recognise that energy levels are naturally low; conserve resources rather than force vitality. Resting is not failing; it is intentional preparation that wisely stores the energy needed for more sustainable activity later in the year.

·        Do the hidden work:

Focus on the sub-terranean strengthening of your root system. Build a mindful awareness of your internal experiences.

2.        Seek the Light Incrementally: Focus on Gentle Momentum

·        Look for Micro-Gains:

Focus on small, manageable, and sustainable actions (e.g. an extra glass of water, five minutes of stretching).

·        Respect the Curve:

Allow your energy and output to gradually increase alongside the slowly lengthening days, avoiding sudden leaps.

·        Build Resilience:

Use steady, small actions now to build lasting resilience, preventing the burnout that leads to failure later.

·        Get outside:

Seek out winter light. Natural light, whatever the time of year, can boost mood, reduce stress and improve focus.

3.         Practice Winter Compassion:

·      Reject Judgment:

Stop viewing rest or low-energy days as failure; they are necessary phases of the cycle.

·      Seek Warmth and Shelter:

Prioritize emotional and physical comfort and spend time with people and practices that nourish you.

·      Trust the Process:

Accept the current reality of the season. Know that just as spring is guaranteed, the time for your natural, unforced growth will arrive.

Final thoughts:

If we shift our perspective to match natural cycles, January ceases to be a month of "failed starts" and becomes a month of gentle preparation. By the time the spring equinox arrives in March, you may find that tending to your roots in winter can lead you to find you have the structural integrity to support more sustainable growth.

As you move through these colder weeks, remember that your are not separate from the world outside. You too are an organic being. You are subject to the same rhythms of rest and renewal as the forest and the meadow.

Taking the next steps:

The philosophy of In Our Nature is to work with individuals to cultivate a life that feels authentic and sustainable. Whether you are navigating a difficult season in life, or looking to develop a more compassionate relationship with yourself, please get in touch to see how therapy can support you.