What is Wintering?
Wintering is the practice of aligning with the natural world’s slower pace during winter, embracing rest and reflection rather than striving for constant productivity. It’s a way to nurture yourself in harmony with the season’s quiet rhythm.
Starting the New Year Slow and Gentle: Embracing Winter’s Quiet Rhythm
As we step into a new year, the pressure to start strong, set ambitious goals and hit the ground running can feel overwhelming. But what if in 2025, we embraced a different approach? Instead of racing into January with the world’s expectations, we honour the natural rhythm of winter — a time of rest, reflection and gentle renewal.
Hey, I’m Laura, founder of Rock + Realm. Over the years, I’ve shifted away from setting New Year’s resolutions that feel out of sync with the season. Instead, I’ve found peace and purpose in “wintering", living in harmony with nature’s slower pace and creating space for self-kindness.
In this blog article, I’ll share why wintering wellbeing wisdom resonates deeply with me and how you can embrace it, too.
Together, we’ll explore five simple, nourishing winter wellbeing practices to gently guide you through the first months of the year in 2025.
- Journalling for Reflection & Emotional Release
- Restorative Mindful Walks in Nature
- Breathwork for Relaxation & Rest
- Restorative Yoga & Crystal Meditation
- Decluttering & Energetic Cleansing for Renewal
Honouring Winter: The Case for Starting Slow
The societal narrative often tells us to “hit the ground running” in January, yet the natural world paints a different picture. Trees are bare, animals hibernate and the earth rests under a blanket of frost. Winter invites us to do the same... to pause, conserve energy and prepare for the renewal of spring.
As Katherine May, author of Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, beautifully writes: “We can’t always be in bloom. Winter is a time to tend the roots.” This sentiment reminds us that it’s okay to be gentle with ourselves as we ease into the year.
Living seasonally allows us to align with this quieter rhythm. Instead of pushing through winter’s stillness, we can use this time to reflect, recharge, and reset with intention.
Five Gentle Wellbeing Practices to Start Your Year Slow in 2025
By attuning ourselves to the natural rhythms of the seasons, we can cultivate a deeper connection with the earth, enhancing our spiritual practice and boosting our overall energetic health. If you feel aligned to start 2025 slow; here are five simple, wellbeing practices to help you honour winter’s slower pace and establish self-care habits that will nourish you all year long.
1. Journalling for Reflection and Clarity
Winter is the perfect time for introspection. Journalling offers a way to process the past year and set intentions without the rigidity of traditional resolutions.
Personally, I’ve found journalling to be a gentle and cathartic practice during the winter months. There’s something profoundly soothing about sitting down with a cup of tea, a blank page and the quiet of a January morning. This time allows me to reflect on the lessons of the past year and dream softly about the months ahead, without the pressure to immediately act. Journalling encourages us to tune into our inner voice and acknowledge what we truly need in this season of rest.
Try these three new year reflection prompts to get you started:
What am I grateful for from the past year?
What lessons did I learn in 2024?
How do I want to feel in 2025?
My recommended Crystal Companions for new year journalling and intention setting:
- Moss Agate to reconnect with your sense of purpose
- Kunzite to foster self esteem and a deeper love for yourself
- Lepidolite to provide support as you release your anxieties about the future
Journalling doesn’t have to be a daily commitment, even a few minutes once a week can help you reconnect with yourself and give you a space to release the emotions you may be holding onto. For an added layer of intention, create a sanctuary in your home by lighting some incense or using cleansing tools like Palo Santo from our Cleansing Ritual Tools collection.
2. Mindful Nature Walks
Spending time in nature, even during winter’s chill, can be both grounding and uplifting. Wrapping up warm and getting outside also has the added bonus of helping you get a much needed dose of Vitamin D, which boosts your immune system and supports with mood regulation.
For me, winter walks have become a necessity, a time to pause, breathe deeply and reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world. I love noticing the intricate details that the season offers, like frost patterns on leaves or the stark beauty of bare trees against a clear blue sky. The crisp winter air invigorates my senses, while the act of walking with my husband and dog brings me peace and calms my spirit.
Countryside walks are also an opportunity to carry a small crystal, such as a grounding and motivating Carnelian tumblestone from our Crystals for Imbolc collection, to enhance the experience.
By embracing the stillness and simplicity of nature, we can find grounding and presence even in the coldest darkest months. Mindful walks allow you to connect with the present moment and find beauty in the season’s quiet details. As you stroll through your local green space, remember to keep an eye out for:
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The intricate patterns of frost on leaves
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The crispness of the air and its effect on your breathing
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The way sunlight filters through bare branches
Bundle up warmly, bring a small crystal (like
3. Breathwork for Relaxation & Renewal
Breathwork is a powerful yet simple practice to calm the mind and body, making it an ideal complement to the ethos of wintering.
What is Breathwork?
Breathwork is the practice of using intentional breathing techniques to calm the mind, regulate emotions and enhance overall wellbeing that is rooted in both ancient traditions and modern science. Breathwork helps regulate the autonomic nervous system, calming the "fight or flight" response and activating the "rest and digest" state. Studies show that deep, slow breathing can reduce cortisol levels (the stress hormone) and promote relaxation.
I first incorporated breathwork into my wellbeing practices during yoga over 25 years ago, when I discovered how intentional breathing could deepen my poses and relaxation. Over the years, I’ve explored breathwork in various forms; during meditation, and more recently, through advanced techniques in holotropic ancestral healing breathwork sessions. Each experience has shown me the profound therapeutic benefits of this practice and made me a passionate advocate.
As well as being deeply transformative, breathwork is an easy entry-level practice that anyone can do; it’s free, simple to learn and accessible for all. In the colder months, when the world slows down, breathwork offers a chance to cultivate stillness and reconnect with ourselves. Personally, I find it grounding to integrate breathwork into my daily routine, often in the morning or before bed, as a way to set a calming tone for the day or prepare for restful sleep.
One of my favourite techniques to begin with is the 4-7-8 method, which is both straightforward and super effective in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. To start:
- Inhale through your nose for a count of 4
- Hold your breath for a count of 7
- Exhale through your mouth for a count of 8
Repeat this cycle 3 - 5 times to feel more centred and relaxed. It’s a simple way to bring calm into your day.
Combining breathwork with the healing energy of crystals, such as holding a piece of Selenite or Clear Quartz from our Cleansing Ritual Tools collection, can further enhance this practice.
If you're interested in exploring more tools and trends for enhancing your energy, have a look at last year's Spiritual Trends blog post.
4. Restorative Yoga and Crystal Meditation
Restorative yoga poses paired with crystal meditation can promote deep relaxation and rest. It’s welcoming to all levels, including beginners, and is perfect if you’re looking for a calming, stress-reducing practice that aligns beautifully with the ethos of wintering.
What is Restorative Yoga?
Restorative yoga, or Yin Yoga, is a gentle practice where poses are held for longer periods to deeply relax the body and calm the mind. Designed to release tension and promote stillness, this style of yoga is ideal for cultivating a sense of peace during the slower pace of winter. Restorative yoga is a nurturing practice that invites deep rest and renewal, perfect for the slower rhythm of winter. Unlike more active forms of yoga, restorative poses are held for longer periods, often supported by props, allowing your body to fully relax and release tension.
One of my favourite poses is Child’s Pose (Balasana) — kneeling on the mat with arms stretched forward, forehead resting on the ground. It’s a beautiful way to feel grounded and centred.
Another pose to try is Reclined Bound Angle Pose (Supta Baddha Konasana), where you lie back on a bolster with the soles of your feet together and knees gently apart. This super relaxing pose invites a sense of openness and self-love.
To deepen these poses, try holding a calming crystal like Amethyst in your hands or place a Rose Quartz on your heart centre to amplify feelings of compassion and inner peace. Adding incense to your practice can also enhance the meditative atmosphere; consider using scents like jasmine or lavender to promote relaxation and calm. Explore calming crystals in the Yoga & Meditation collection to accompany your Yin Yoga practice.
If you're new to restorative yoga or looking for guided support, I highly recommend exploring my fellow Norfolk based wellbeing practitioners through the Feel Good Norfolk directory, which connects you with accredited wellbeing experts in East Anglia.
5. Decluttering and Energy Clearing for Renewal
Winter is an ideal time to release what no longer serves you, both physically and energetically. As the season naturally encourages us to retreat and reflect, decluttering aligns beautifully with the themes of renewal and simplicity.
Personally, I find that clearing my space in January feels like shedding an old layer, making room for fresh, lighter energy as I move into the new year. Whether it’s tidying my cluttered wardrobe, cleansing all my crystals or energetically cleansing the whole house with tools like White Sage or Palo Santo, the process brings a profound sense of lightness and mental clarity.
Imagine this as a seasonal reset, helping you to let go of what no longer serves you and inviting a clean slate for your intentions. When it feels right and in an unhurried way, set aside time to:
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Smudge with sage or Palo Santo to clear stagnant energy - slowly and intentionally making your way room by room and ending by opening your windows to let in fresh energy and light
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Organise a space that feels overwhelming, focussing on what sparks joy or provides value - take excess belongings to charity shops or using apps like Olio to freecycle with neighbours
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Reflect on what habits or mindsets you’d like to release as you declutter your surroundings - perhaps use your journalling practice to work through any emotions brought up in the process of letting go
This practice is not just about tidying, it’s about creating space for renewal, aligning with winter’s quiet energy and the promise of spring ahead. For more detailed steps on energetic decluttering, you can explore my guide to energetically spring cleaning your home.
Building Seasonal Rituals with Cleansing Tools
Incorporating cleansing rituals into your self-care practice can help you clear stagnant energy and invite fresh intentions. Rituals, whether simple or elaborate, can create a sense of sacredness in your daily life and help you connect with the present moment.
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to deepen the five recommended wellbeing practices, I recommend exploring last year's blog on spiritual tools and trends. I've also created a Cleansing Ritual Tools collection that includes sustainably sourced Palo Santo, smudge bundles, and high-grade crystals to support a slow and intentional start to 2025.
I recommend incorporating a smudging ritual with White Sage or Palo Santo to help clear away lingering negative energy from last year and set a calming tone for your space. Reflect on what tools resonate with you and how they align with your intentions for the season:
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Cleanse your space before and after journalling, which can bring up intense emotions
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Enhance meditation or breath work practices by creating a spa like atmosphere
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Create a sacred environment for reflection or to energetic cleansing after a decluttering session
Embrace the Beauty of Wintering
Let's start 2025 by setting realistic expectations for Winter - January, February and March are months of transition. Instead of expecting yourself to leap into action, allow time for gradual growth. Focus on small, meaningful steps that align with your energy and intentions. As you move through this season, remind yourself that:
Rest is productive
Progress doesn’t have to be linear
Your worth is not tied to how much you achieve
This winter, let’s release the pressure to “hit the ground running” and instead embrace the gentle art of wintering. These darker and colder months of transition are nature’s way of reminding us to slow down and conserve our energy. Personally, I’ve found that when I approach these months with realistic expectations aligned with the cycles of nature, I feel more grounded and balanced throughout the year.
Instead of demanding immediate action or progress, I give myself time and space to nourish my mind, body and spirit. A long relaxing epsom salt bath is just as good for my wellbeing as a 5 mile run - because rest is not a luxury, it's essential.
We all love a good To Do list, however it's also important to give yourself grace during this time. Progress doesn’t have to be linear, and your worth isn’t tied to how much you accomplish. This slower pace allows us to cultivate self-kindness and build the foundations for growth when spring arrives.
By journalling, walking mindfully in nature and practicing breathwork, we can move into the new year with intention, self-kindness and a deeper connection to the season’s quiet rhythm. Remember, this is a time to tend to your roots so you can bloom fully when the time is right.
Here’s to starting 2025 slow, steady and in harmony with the world around us!
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