The quiet hibernation and nesting of winter is something I savor. It is Januray, everything outside looks spartan, we have had a constant deluge with atmospheric river after atmospheric river, and there is only a rare glimpse of that California sunshine that bathes my face with warmth. While many people may find this season invokes a depression, and yes, that can happen to me from time to time, I have also learned to lean in. I embrace the hygge winter invokes. I work on returning my home to its organized peace after the holidays, and just dig into this mental space of quiet before the burst of spring. January is a time to dig deep.

Unlike most people, I prefer to start my resolutions/yearly goals not on January first. I find I prefer to feel the year out a bit before diving headfirst into goal setting. With each new year I greet her warmly yet quietly while I bat ideas around in my mind like a cat with a ball of yarn. I slowly tease out what ideas feel right in my gut or that I want to see come to fruition. After that I sit down, put pen to paper, and earnestly jot down my dreams and my goals.

During this lull I have abandoned pretty much all exercise and know all too well it will be both misery and relief to start back up. Therefore consistent exercise makes it onto my list of goals. I am learning to embrace intentional physical activity as it is not my favorite. However, I have found that I love how I feel afterwards and value the clarity and calming effect it has, especially when dealing with my nemesis: anxiety. Yes, it truly is a love-hate relationship.