Listening to the Quiet

a slow roll into the new year

As I sit here in the stillness of the pale, grey winter morning light, I marvel at how full the quiet is. No one is awake, yet the dull hum of the kitchen appliances is a white background noise, while next to me is the rhythmic thrum of the fireplace. I’m gazing out the window and catch the steam rising off my coffee cup in a way that feels almost mystical in the moment.

I am writing this in a time known as ‘the hush’, a liminal time between Christmas and the New Year, where time seems to stand still. This space is where I am learning to walk the wise woman road by connecting to my true self through seasonal shifts, writing, food, intuition, and resilience. If this resonates with you, subscribe and walk the season alongside me.

I take another sip of my coffee and think about what January really is. It’s not a beginning so much as it is a settling. Settling in to listen deeply to what the world around me is trying to say, and what I need to learn in this dormant time. In this season of life, I’ve learned that things can change suddenly. Parents are aging, and even friends are now beginning to battle illness or change. These things can bring a new level of grief to our lives, yet they also create a new resiliency and experience that brings growth as I navigate the wise woman road.

January seems to have always been a time for urgency, resolutions, and a demand to start anew to better yourself…which typically lasts for many weeks, at best? However, winter itself is a quiet time. What if instead we spent this time allowing our bodies and minds to rest, savoring the quiet landscapes around us? Like the flora and fauna, use this dormant time to feed our roots; grow stronger and nourish ourselves so that as the light continues to return, we begin gently.

What comes up when you focus on the quiet?

It allows you to tune into your inner self. Whether you are inside or outdoors, take inspiration from the sounds of the quiet. The muffled silence of a light snowfall, a squirrel running up a tree with a little treat to store away in the hollowed-out part that he calls home. Let your thoughts bubble up, look into them, and gently release them. Jot them down in a journal or just let the feelings ebb and flow like a gentle tide. This time will be a guiding light into the new year, where we can create thoughtful goals based on our inner work instead of rushed resolutions that may not last.

Having completed this thought, I realize that I’ve let my coffee grow cold, and I head to the kitchen for a warm-up. Oh, and maybe I’ll grab a Christmas cookie to munch on as well ☺️ This month, I will be offering a short seasonal practice to inspire, a few journal prompts to focus on, and a beloved winter recipe. Please walk with me as we begin to navigate the seasons of 2026.

Until next time,