Wintering: The Gentle Work Over-Functioning Women Need at Year’s End

As the year winds down, many of us feel that familiar pull — the rush to finish strong, to show up for everyone, to make the holidays feel a little magical while already thinking about the goals of the year ahead. But our bodies and minds often crave something entirely different this time of year: rest, reflection, and slower rhythms. For over-functioning women, this often feels just out of reach and difficult to access. Safety often equals "doing" and slowing down  doesn't feel intuitive, safe or easy.

This season, I invite you to consider three things as you move into winter:

1. Notice your nervous system.
   Your body may still be in “go” mode, even as the season invites you to pause. Slowing down can feel uncomfortable — even wrong — when you’re used to constant motion. Try gentle transitions: a slower morning, a short walk without multitasking, or a few deep breaths before your next task.

2. Redefine productivity.
   Rest is not the opposite of growth. Wintering — the intentional slowing and turning inward — is nature’s reset. What if tending to yourself became part of what you consider getting things done?

3. Check in on your connection.
   Who or what helps you feel grounded? This time of year can amplify disconnection, especially for women who carry the invisible load. Reach out, even briefly — a text, a walk, or a quiet moment with someone safe.

Working on your mental health during the holidays isn’t easy. It takes courage to pause when the world is speeding up. Therapy in the winter can be a soft space — a way to tend to yourself and make room for reflection, even when your calendar and heart feel full.

If you’ve been thinking about slowing down, reconnecting, or caring for yourself in a deeper way, I’d love to support you in that.
Reach out if this resonates — this might be the exact season to give yourself some space to breathe.