Winter is a time for the world to rest. It’s nature’s quiet pause—a time for slowing down, turning inward, and seeking warmth. We come inside to escape the cold, and naturally, we look inside ourselves too.

Recently, during my own yoga practice, I’ve noticed my body craving forward bends—poses that allow me to fold inward and pause. I crave tea with less or no caffeine. My mind mirrors this longing for stillness. I want quiet moments to reflect on the year gone by, to look back at my experiences. I don’t want to rush into planning for the new year. Not yet. I just want to rest.

Before I came to Europe, I loved winter. In the region where I grew up, winter was cruel. The air was cold and dry; the wind could feel like blades against your skin. And yet, I loved it. Winter brought a deep stillness to everything. The skies were a clear, endless blue with only a few lazy clouds drifting by. Occasionally, snow would fall, and even then, the sun would keep shining. The air was so sharp and clean that a single deep breath could clear your lungs and sharpen your mind.

Coming inside after being out in that biting cold felt like stepping into an embrace. Our house was warm and welcoming. Thick jackets came off, and we gathered around the table, sharing meals that were both comforting and nourishing. Winter didn’t demand anything of us. It reminded us to slow down, to rest without guilt or pressure. Nature taught us that this was a time to recover, to preserve our energy for the days of hard work and renewal ahead. There was no rush, no anxiety—just the gentle rhythm of rest.

Now that I live in Germany, I can’t say I still love winter. The days are short and endlessly grey, and it affects me more than I’d like to admit. The gloom is demotivating, and while I’m not caught up in the pre-Christmas stress, I still feel down.

This, I think, is the real reason so many people in the West (and the modern-era of the East, too) feel overwhelmed during this season: they are being asked to do the exact opposite of what their bodies and minds naturally need. Instead of slowing down, they are told to “finish the year strong” or “get Christmas shopping done before it’s too late.” Instead of turning inward and conserving energy, they are constantly giving it away—rushing, consuming, and striving.

What the season really calls for is balance. Instead of being swept up in external expectations, we can choose to listen to ourselves. Maybe the answer is simpler than we think: to rest when we need to rest. To take time to look inward, to move gently, to nourish ourselves. But of course, if you hear the calling of being outdoors and go skiing, because that’s how you get your energy tanked up, by all means!

It is important to be aware of this: Winter isn’t here to push us forward; it’s here to help us pause, reflect, and gather strength for the spring to come.

So this year, I will take winter on my own terms. I will rest when my body asks for it. I will look inside. I will do what is best for me—and that is enough.

How about you?