“The year will move on no matter what, but by paying attention to it, feeling its beat, and noticing the moments of transition—perhaps even taking time to think about what we want from the next phase in the year—we can get the measure of it.” - Katherine May, Wintering

Here in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of Upstate NY, the quietness of winter feels a little like time has slowed down. There are snowy, icy days when everything grinds to a halt, even wonder-walking, and foggy snowy days when it feels absolutely, otherworldly magical. Winter, with its cozy fireside evenings, steaming bowls of nourishing stew, and abruptly short days, have so far felt like a gentle invitation to go within for a restorative retreat. I realize I welcome the change in pace winter brings.

Every tiny shift in a landscape covered in snow is immediately noticeable. The details we missed when there were a million wildflowers clamoring for attention back in summer, become starkly clear in a white winter - the shape of naked tree branches, wildlife tracks crisscrossing overnight snow, the way changing sunlight colors a landscape.

If there’s one thing that marked 2022 for me, it’s change in all its guises - disruption, upheaval, metamorphosis, transformation, seasons.

One of my biggest lessons from moving to this part of the country with its true four seasons is realizing the inevitability of nature's cycles: from summer’s wildflowers to fall’s vivid color and winter’s austere loveliness. Here in our new home in the countryside, I am reminded weekly how integral change is to life. It's a resounding appeal to honor my own rhythms and seasons, something I’m determined to be better at this year.