The year is slowly coming to an end, and I’ve been noticing the little signs that the season is changing. It’s not just the weather or the harmattan that comes with dust and dryness. It’s the energy and feeling in the air. Every season comes with its own vibe, and whether we realise it or not, our bodies and minds always respond to these changes in small ways.
For example, our bodies react to the harmattan with skin ashiness and if you are like me, a cold. This year, I’ve decided to be intentional in paying closer attention to the other changes the season brings.
For many people like myself, the end of the year comes with excitement. It’s the time when work is slowing down, school is closing, and everyone is preparing for the holidays to do all the big and not so big things they have planned. In a few days, I will shut my laptop for the rest of the year. Let’s not forget end of the year bonuses and office parties. Of course, I’m excited. We all are.
The year has been busy, full of responsibilities of all sorts, unexpected challenges, failures, losses and personal growth for everyone. By the time we reach December, most of us are tired and even if we don’t say it, it shows on our bodies. Our minds are overwhelmed from the constant pressure to do more, be more and achieve more.
I’ve been thinking about this and it made me realise how important it is to pause and ask myself what little shift I need to make to flow better with this season of my life.
Personally, I’m exhausted and one thing I know is that this season calls for rest. I know the shift I need to make in this season is as simple as that.
Rest looks different for different people. For some, it means travelling home to see family. For others, it means catching up on sleep, watching movies, or simply doing nothing without feeling bad.
For me, rest this season is about having a clear mind, not being overwhelmed with tasks and life challenges, eating healthier and getting enough sleep.
I preach rest like the way pastors talk about the second coming of Christ. The Bible shows us that God values rest. After creating the world, He rested on the seventh day. Even Jesus rested during His ministry. So who am I not to?
As the season changes, I am allowing myself to step into a steadier pace, one where I am not wishing for more hours in a day so that I can meet deadlines or putting myself under unnecessary pressure.
My Simple Shifts This Season
This is what I have planned for my shift in the season:
- I will be sleeping earlier — no more being awake till 3am.
- I’m putting my unhealthy sleeping schedule behind me.
- I want to incorporate taking evening walks especially when the weather is calm.
- If it’s too dusty because of the harmattan, I’ll settle for something else that is also relaxing.
- I plan to spend less time on my phone and more time journaling.
- I’ll finally read the unread novels on my shelf.
- The plan is to take the days slowly instead of filling them with endless tasks.
These may not look like big changes, but they make a significant difference in how I feel. I want to feel lighter.
Another reason I’m embracing rest is because the end of the year calls for reflection. This is when people bring out their planners, look through the goals they set at the beginning of the year, and think about what they achieved and what they didn’t.
While reflection is good, it can easily turn into pressure, comparison, or disappointment. Resting helps me appreciate the growth I made, even if it wasn’t huge. It reminds me that slow progress is still progress.
Rest also prepares me for the new year. Just like farmers allow the ground to rest before planting a new crop, I believe the mind also needs time and space to reset before entering a new chapter.
Rest is a form of preparation. It declutters the mind, strengthens the spirit and body, and consequently makes room for fresh ideas.
Just like I said in the beginning, we rest differently, and we also need different things from this season. For some, it’s being active. For me, it is rest. From this, you can already figure out that I’m one of those people who use the holidays to rest.
But even though I prioritise rest, I still make room for other things. (Read previous post for context.)
@nugwaa/what-does-the-festive-season-mean-to-you
Final Thoughts
So tell me, what have you noticed about the season, and what small shift will you make today?
Thank you for reading 🤍
If you’d like to connect or collaborate, feel free to reach out on Instagram:
🔗 @estella.
Grace. Growth. Greatness. ✨