Embracing January as a Season of Rest (Not Resolution)
January often rolls in with a loud, unspoken pressure. We are told to do more, plan more, and be more. However, if we look outside, nature tells a different story.
In the natural world, January is the opposite of busy. It is quiet. The earth is resting, seeds are dormant beneath the frost, and energy is being conserved for the bloom to come.
If you are currently navigating pregnancy, postpartum recovery, or the long nights of early parenthood, your body is beautifully echoing this same slow, steady rhythm. This month, we invite you to lay down the "resolution mindset." Instead, step into something more aligned with the season of life you are in: rest as preparation, not laziness.
Winter Is a Slower Season By Design
The colder temperatures, the darkness of longer nights, and the shorter days naturally signal the human nervous system to slow everything down.
When we are pregnant or freshly postpartum, this biological pull toward rest becomes even stronger. It is essential to remember that slowing down right now isn’t "falling behind." It is purpose-driven work. You are intentionally working with your body to honor the season—both the season outside your window and the season of motherhood you are walking through.
Why Rest Matters for Maternal Health
If you need a logical "why" to give yourself permission to stop moving, know that rest in the winter is scientifically supportive of your health. Prioritizing rest leads to:
Increased emotional regulation: Vital for navigating hormonal shifts.
Boosted immunity: Essential during cold and flu season.
Enhanced resilience: Helping you cope with sleep deprivation.
Reduced stress & anxiety: Lowering cortisol levels for you and baby.
Increased hormonal balance: Supporting milk supply and recovery.
Deeper reflection: allowing space for intuition and clarity.
What Realistic Rest Looks Like for Moms
We know what you might be thinking: How do I rest with a baby or a to-do list?
Rest doesn’t require that everything on your list is "ta-da-done." It doesn’t require perfect, serene conditions or endless hours of free time. Sometimes rest is subtle. In the early days of parenting, small pauses really add up.
Rest can look as simple as:
Going to bed 30 minutes earlier than usual.
Saying "no" to one extra obligation or social gathering.
Letting meals be simple (soup and toast is a meal!).
Choosing comfort and warmth over productivity.
Allowing unfinished tasks to wait until tomorrow.
A Note From Your Midwives
If you’re growing, birthing, or healing a human being, rest is not optional—it is foundational.
You do not need to use January to "catch up" after the holiday craze. You do not need to earn rest by doing more chores first. You never, ever need to earn rest.
This season asks for gentleness, warmth, and a slower pace for yourself and your family.
A Gentle January Intention
Instead of a laundry list of high-pressure resolutions, try focusing on one quiet intention for the month ahead:
"This month, I will listen when my body and heart ask me to slow down."
Let that be enough.