It is mid-January. The snow is melting, or just beginning to, Christmas lights are coming down strand by strand, and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season slowly fades away. Whether this feeling comes from entering a new season or simply from growing older, I am not quite sure. In the excitement and chaos of returning to school, for some of us for the very last time, a strange feeling lingers. It feels as though we are standing in an in-between space, waiting for a gentle nudge that tells us what comes next. The back-to-back celebrations of the holidays have settled, yet there is still a stretch of time before we are welcomed by the brightness and warmth of spring. We have stepped into new schedules and routines, but not long enough to return to the familiar rhythm that feels like home.
It is mid-January, and the choice is yours. Will you succumb to the overwhelming nature of the new year, or will you embrace your fresh start and take it for all it is worth? This does not mean having everything figured out. It means making the best of your circumstances simply because you can. It means grounding yourself in things that make you feel like yourself and spending time with people whose presence leaves you thinking, “I needed this.” It means asking yourself what life might feel like if you chose to focus on the good while still trying to figure it all out. Here are three habits that remind me how special life can be during a slower season.
1. Take control of your mindset.
Simple? Yes. Life-changing? Absolutely. We have all experienced moments when our thoughts feel clouded with negativity, but the real setback comes when we allow those thoughts to consume us. During the slower, colder months, when gray days feel more common, one of the most effective ways to pull yourself out of a slump is to reframe your thinking. Not only notice the good, but appreciate it. The beauty of this practice is that “the good” can be whatever you choose it to be. Maybe the sun rose today, or you finally completed a task you had been putting off. Perhaps your coffee was just right, or you noticed something meaningful that caught your eye. Maybe you simply got out of bed and reminded yourself, “I can do this,” and that was enough. Over time, these small observations add up. Eventually, you may wonder what life would feel like without noticing them. As this collection of moments begins to color your days, the birds will start chirping again, and the sun will set a little later before you know it.
2. Own your time.
Time is one of the most valuable gifts we are given. When you receive a physical gift, you naturally want to use it fully and make the most of it. Try viewing your time the same way. What if you woke up each day open to the possibility that it could be one of the best days of your life? While it is tempting to spend hours scrolling on the couch, it is just as important to prioritize the things that truly matter to you. Spend quality time with people you love. Invest effort in a new hobby and enjoy the satisfaction of learning something new. Seek inspiration and channel it into creative outlets. Whatever brings you joy, make a conscious effort to include even a small amount of it in your day. You may begin to notice that your jaw feels less tense and your heart a little lighter.
3. Do not rule out fun.
Leaving home after the holidays and returning to routine can be difficult. It is easy to feel weighed down by schedules, responsibilities, and an ever-growing list of resolutions. This season can feel serious and overwhelming, but it does not have to define how you live your life. Appreciate the privilege of returning to a place that challenges you after leaving one that was hard to say goodbye to. Give yourself credit for settling back into your routine and prioritizing what needs to be done. At the same time, say yes to ice cream with a friend, order the second scoop, or plan a small celebratory dinner simply for making it through Monday. Daily challenges and change are inevitable, but so are the moments worth celebrating. Anything can be a celebration if you choose to see it that way.
Life is heavy, challenging, and ever-changing. Right now, it is also below freezing during my walk from the parking garage to my 8:00 a.m. lecture. At the same time, life is a gift meant to be cherished. It is an invitation to enjoy your favorite things simply because you can and to feel excited about wearing your favorite coat and scarf on that same cold walk to class. If you are open to it, the good things in life can keep you warm this winter.