The Quiet Work of Winter

The holidays are ending. The weird week between Christmas and New Years is here, and I am thinking about the work ahead.

There’s a lot going on here. My business is exploding in great ways, my family is busy, and my dad is requiring new kinds of care. My social life is rich, and I am focused on my health and future self. And, I have more travel planned for 2026.

These next few months will be filled with change, new challenges, and will require new ways of working and balancing life.

My goal right now is to stay quiet, focused, and calm. I’ve been reading a lot about winter rest, winter hibernation, and reflecting during these cold months. How do I combine the quiet, rest, hibernation with working hard, change and evolving?

I keep thinking about “The Quiet Work of Winter”. It concurs up images of working hard, but in quiet spaces, cozy environments and being purposely inward in my thinking. It is deep work combined with fuzzy socks, soft blankets, candles, and calming music.

Here is what I’m creating for the next few months as a mantra for Quiet Work:

• Let winter be winter: it’s a season for quiet, it’s not a failure of motivation

• Work can be small and deep: diving deeper is important, sometimes more important than going big

• Rest: you don’t need a reason. rest is the work, especially in winter

• Say no: winter is quieter socially- for a reason. fewer plans mean more space to hear yourself

• Do maintenance, not makeovers: winter is for upkeep. Sleep, food, and movement.

• Listen to yourself: before you act, think, “What feels heavy?” “What feels steady?”

Remember that nothing looks busy in winter, but roots are still growing underground. Bulbs are preparing to push through the snow. Seeds are ready to grow. Trust this in you, too.

I hope you have a beautifully quiet winter of work.