There’s something about this time of year that makes me want to move more slowly — not because I’m tired, but because I’m listening.

I find myself lingering in the kitchen in the morning, cooking something warm instead of rushing out the door. I’m drawn to quiet evenings, warm socks, a book in my lap, knitting or needlepoint in my hands. There’s a natural pull toward nourishment, warmth, and simplicity. Not hibernation exactly — but a soft pausing. A conscious choice to begin the year gently, with intention and ease, rather than urgency.

As we step into a new calendar year, it can feel almost rebellious to resist the pressure to push forward. But winter has its own wisdom — and so does midlife. Both invite us to slow down, to tend what’s essential, and to honor the deeper rhythms that sustain us.

Winter Isn’t Asking Us to Rush

In Chinese medicine, winter is associated with the Water element and the Kidneys — the energetic foundation of vitality, longevity, and resilience. This is the season of storage, restoration, and quiet strength.

Winter doesn’t ask us to stop living.
It asks us to live differently.

Not less — but more intentionally.

And interestingly, this mirrors what many women experience in midlife. There’s a natural turning inward, a desire to simplify, a discernment about where energy is spent. Less proving. More listening. Less urgency. More depth.

Rather than resisting that shift, winter invites us to work with it.

Morning Nourishment: Beginning the Day Warm

One of the simplest ways I honor this season is through breakfast.

In Chinese medicine, the hours between 7–9am are when the stomach energy is most active. A warm, nourishing breakfast sets the tone for the entire day — supporting digestion, energy, and clarity. This is one reason I’m not a fan of intermittent fasting for many midlife women, especially in winter. Skipping nourishment early on often leads to feeling depleted later.

A favorite winter ritual of mine is a warm porridge, slow-cooked and grounding. It doesn’t need to be complicated. Some nourishing additions you might enjoy:

• Black sesame paste to support Kidney energy
• Goji berries for blood and vitality
• A touch of honey or dates for gentle sweetness

It’s simple, comforting, and deeply supportive — a reminder that how we begin matters.

Evening Rituals: Preparing the Body for Rest

Winter care isn’t only about mornings — evenings matter just as much.

As the day winds down, I’m especially mindful of keeping the body warm and helping the energy settle.

Hot foot soaks before bed are one of my favorite practices in winter. They draw energy downward, calm the nervous system, and support deeper sleep — especially helpful when the mind feels busy.

I also pay special attention to the low back and kidney area, which are particularly vulnerable to cold during this season. Gently warming the area can be incredibly comforting. Diluted ginger or clove essential oil applied over the kidney area or to Bladder 23 (Shenshu) — located on either side of the spine at the level of the low back — is a simple way to offer warmth and support.

This isn’t about fixing anything.
It’s about protecting the inner fire.

Winter as a Season of Discernment

What I love most about winter — and about this stage of life — is the invitation to choose carefully.

Winter teaches us that not everything needs immediate action.
Midlife teaches us that not everything deserves our energy.

Instead of resolutions, this season favors reflection.
Instead of pushing, it favors listening.
Instead of rushing toward what’s next, it asks us to nourish what’s here.

When we allow ourselves a soft entry into the year, something surprising happens: clarity comes without force. Energy gathers naturally. And when spring arrives, we’re not depleted — we’re ready.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’re navigating menopause or this meaningful midlife chapter and craving a more seasonal, nourishing approach, I share deeper guidance inside Thrive Through Menopause and Yin & Yang of Menopause. Both are rooted in Chinese medicine and designed to support vitality, balance, and ease — not just now, but for the long road ahead.

For now, let winter be gentle.
Let nourishment lead.
And trust that what’s meant to come next will arrive in its own time.