Resilence Wasn’t Part of My Plan: The Beauty of Reflection at Season’s End

As my winter season comes to a close, I find myself in the final week of my Seasons of Hygge practice—the thirteenth week dedicated entirely to reflecting on the twelve that came before. Reflection is often spoken about in an abstract way, but what does it really mean? Why set aside an entire week to look back when so much advice encourages us to live in the present?

I designed this week of reflection as a pause, a moment to zoom out before stepping into the next season. Life moves fast—each day flows into the next, weeks blur together, and before we know it, an entire season has passed. Even with my daily and weekly practices, I often move forward without fully absorbing what each season has really meant. This week gives me the space to take in the whole picture and honor what the past three months have been—not just in what I intended for them to be, but in how they actually unfolded.

This Winter: A Season of Resilience

This winter wasn’t what I imagined it would be. Looking back, I see that I never really “kicked off” the season the way I have in the past. My husband had shoulder surgery, and much of my energy in those early weeks was focused on caregiving. The holidays came and went in a blur, and while I carried the Seasons of Hygge principles in my mind, I didn’t engage in my practice as fully as I had in previous seasons. I didn’t assign a principle to each week, and I wasn’t using my planner in the way I typically do.

At first, I saw this as a season where I had neglected my practice. But through this week of reflection, I now see it differently. This winter was a season of resilience. I wasn’t disengaged—I was present in the ways I needed to be. I was still living by the principles, even if I wasn’t documenting them as deliberately. And that’s something to acknowledge.

John Lennon famously said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” That truth showed up for me this winter. I planned for a season of inspiration, habit-building, and intentional goals, but life had its own plans. Reflection isn’t about judging what a season should have been; it’s about recognizing what it was and honoring how I moved through it.

And what I see now is that resilience isn’t something you set out to cultivate, but reflection allows you to see that it was there all along. I didn’t enter this season intending to build resilience, yet as I look back, I realize that’s exactly what carried me through.

Why Reflection Matters

One of the things I love most about this practice is that it isn’t about focusing on just one principle per week and then moving on—it’s about recognizing that all 11 principles are always present. They show up in different ways, at different times, and often in ways I don’t anticipate.

This week allows me to look not just at how each principle was explored in its dedicated week but at how they wove themselves through my entire season. Gratitude surfaced in unexpected moments of exhaustion when I felt the gift of other’s love and kindness to help guide me out of feeling dark. Comfort became not just about physical coziness but about prioritizing emotional and mental rest. Presence was found not in structured mindfulness but in the quiet, necessary work of caring for someone I love.

As I close this season, I remind myself that every season is part of the larger cycles of life. Some will be full of outwardly directed energy, creativity, and engagement. Others will be about simply getting through, holding steady, and offering what I can. Both are valuable.

So, as I bid a fond farewell to this winter, I do so with a sense of honor—for the resilience I discovered, for the small moments that mattered, and for the lessons that will stay with me as I step into spring.

Lessons from Shoveling Deep Snow: A Different Way to Tackle Hard Things

This morning, I stepped outside to face the aftermath of an overnight snowfall—8 to 10 inches of fresh, heavy snow blanketing our driveway. Shoveling has never been a task I dread. In fact, I appreciate its rhythm, crisp air, and satisfaction in seeing the cleared cement behind me. It feeds that part of me that thrives on the visible progress of my efforts.

But today, as I reached for a shovel, I made a choice that the younger me wouldn’t have. Instead of instinctively grabbing the larger, broader shovel—the one designed to move the most snow in the least amount of time—I chose the smaller one. It might seem counterintuitive at first. Shouldn’t a bigger job require the biggest tool? But experience whispered otherwise. I knew the smaller shovel would prevent me from overloading my body, forcing a more measured approach, and ultimately making the task more manageable.

That wasn’t the only shift in thinking. Normally, my method is to plow straight down the middle of the driveway and push the snow to each side—a system that has always felt like the “right” way to tackle the job. But today, I abandoned efficiency in favor of ease. I worked in small sections, moving the snow bit by bit toward one side and then the other. It felt slower, but steady. The progress was there, just in a way that didn’t leave me exhausted or overwhelmed.

As I worked, I realized how much this mirrors the way I approach hard things in life now. When I was younger, I would throw myself at challenges headfirst, believing that effort alone—going “all out”—was the best way to achieve a goal. But experience has taught me that sustained effort matters more. That sometimes, the slower path, the smaller steps, the gentler approach, is the one that actually gets you where you want to go—without burnout, without injury, without resentment.

There’s a certain wisdom in knowing how to pace yourself. In recognizing that pushing through isn’t always the best answer. That working with yourself, rather than against yourself, can still lead to accomplishing the goal. I finished clearing the driveway feeling strong, not spent. The job got done, and I still had energy left for the rest of the day.

Life, like shoveling deep snow, doesn’t always have to be tackled with brute force. Sometimes, the best way through is slow and steady—choosing the right tool, the right method, and the right pace to keep moving forward.

The Gloom Before the Bloom

I went on a walk this afternoon, wrapped head to toe against the cold, but no amount of layers could soften the bite of the wind. The sky hung low and gray, pressing down on the landscape. The earth beneath my feet was half-frozen mud—dark, dank, unwilling to decide between solid and slush. The grass, long stripped of its color, lay beaten down in pale, limp strands of yellow.

Autumn’s fallen leaves had fully surrendered to winter’s weight, their once-fiery hues now dulled into shades of grayish brown. Wet and mushed from the rounds of snow that had come and gone, they clung to the path, remnants of a season long past. Even the snow, what little was left, had lost its luster—no longer the crisp white blanket of high winter, but instead a weary, dirt-streaked icy gray.

Everything was still. Silent. Dead. Only the breeze moved, sharp and relentless, cutting through the stillness, reminding me that winter has overstayed its welcome. I trudged along our usual loop ‘behind the creek,’ trying to be present in the moment, to absorb what deep winter truly is. This is the time after all the holidays, after the soft glow of twinkling lights and the warmth of celebrations. Even the romance of Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day has quickly faded. There is nothing festive left in this winter—only the long, slow trudge toward spring.

And spring still feels impossibly far away.

This is why I begin my spring Seasons of Hygge practice on March 1. By then, I am sick of winter—tired of its gray, worn down by its weight. I crave the green sprouts of spring, the promise of longer days, the gentle return of warmth. The transition to spring is always the hardest seasonal shift for me. Here in Colorado, it arrives on its own time, hesitant and teasing, retreating back into cold just when you think it has finally taken hold.

As I walked, I let my mind drift forward, searching for something to hold onto. I began to imagine spring, to conjure its colors, its textures, its symbols—anything to remind myself that change is coming. I thought of fresh herbs and blossoming branches, of birds returning to build their nests, of soft rain on awakening earth. I thought of lightness, of renewal, of the slow stretch out of winter’s deep sleep.

And for the first time on this walk, I felt my mood shift.

Spring isn’t here yet, but I can begin to summon it. I can start to make space for it, to plant the seeds—literally and figuratively—that will bloom when the season finally arrives.

Until then, I will try to embrace the gloom before the bloom.

Five Patterns Preventing Progress Toward Your Goals

Have you ever set out to achieve something—a creative project, a career shift, a wellness goal—only to find yourself stuck in a cycle of delay, doubt, and inaction?

You tell yourself you need more time, better conditions, or the perfect plan. But deep down, you know the real issue isn’t lack of time or talent—it’s something deeper.

I recently uncovered five resistance patterns that have been quietly preventing my own progress, and if you recognize yourself in these, you’re not alone. These are the Five Patterns of Resistance, and once you name them, you can start dismantling them.

Perfectionism: The Fear of Not Being “Good Enough”

How It Holds You Back:
Perfectionism convinces you that if something isn’t flawless, it’s not worth doing. It tricks you into believing that mistakes define you and that taking imperfect action is worse than taking no action at all.

How to Shift It:
Instead of striving for perfection, strive for excellence with flexibility. Perfection is a moving target—you’ll never reach it. Progress, however, happens when you allow yourself to iterate, adjust, and improve along the way.

People-Pleasing: The Need for External Validation

How It Holds You Back:
You hesitate to express yourself or your ideas because you fear judgment, criticism, or rejection. You want your work to be valuable, but instead of focusing on your truth, you shape your actions around what others might think.

How to Shift It:
Instead of seeking universal approval, focus on authentic connection. Not everyone will resonate with what you do, and that’s okay. The right people—the ones who align with your message—will.

Procrastination: The Illusion of Waiting for the “Right Time”

How It Holds You Back:
You convince yourself that now isn’t the right time—that you need more research, better conditions, or a clearer plan. Procrastination disguises itself as preparation, but really, it’s fear keeping you from taking action.

How to Shift It:
Instead of waiting for the right time, focus on aligned action. Clarity comes from doing, not from waiting. The conditions will never be perfect, but forward momentum will create the path.

Paralysis: Overthinking That Leads to Inaction

How It Holds You Back:
Unlike procrastination, which is an intentional delay, paralysis is the feeling of being stuck in indecision. Your brain goes into overdrive, analyzing all possible outcomes, which makes even simple decisions feel overwhelming.

How to Shift It:
Instead of seeking absolute certainty, trust in your resilience. You have faced difficult choices before, and you’ve figured it out every single time. You don’t need all the answers—just enough confidence to take the next step.

Pride: The Resistance to Asking for Help

How It Holds You Back:
You believe that you should be able to do it alone. You hesitate to ask for help because you fear looking weak, incapable, or dependent. But the truth is, self-sufficiency isn’t the same as strength.

How to Shift It:
Instead of seeing support as weakness, reframe it as wisdom. The most successful people lean on others, ask for guidance, and surround themselves with those who uplift them. Accepting help isn’t about needing it—it’s about welcoming it.

Breaking Through These Five Patterns

Each of these patterns keeps you in a loop of inaction, self-doubt, or hesitation. But when you name them, you take away their power.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Which of these five patterns shows up most in your life?

  • Are you delaying launching an idea because it’s not yet perfect?
  • Are you hesitating to take action because you fear judgment?
  • Are you waiting for the right time instead of just starting?
  • Are you stuck in overthinking mode?
  • Are you resisting help because you feel you should be able to do it alone?

Awareness is the first step. Action is the second.

Closing Thought

You are already capable, creative, and strong. The only thing standing between you and your next step? The belief that you aren’t ready.

But you are. Start now.

5 Timeless Takeaways from Maya Angelou that Inspire

Maya Angelou’s words have always held a transformative power for me. Her wisdom, drawn from a life rich with experience and reflection, reminds us of what it truly means to live intentionally, with purpose and grace. This week, my focus is on Awareness, one of the guiding principles in my Seasons of Hygge practice. With this in mind, I’ve been making a conscious effort to read more to continue to learn and grow. Today, I came across Marianne Schnall’s Forbes article, 5 Lessons I Learned From My Interviews With Maya Angelou.

As I read Schnall’s recounting of her conversations with Angelou, I found myself drawn to how these lessons align so beautifully with many of the principles work to incorporate into my life. Here are five takeaways from Angelou’s wisdom that resonate deeply, offering a gentle yet profound guide to creating a life of meaning and purpose.

Your Story is Your Strength

Angelou often spoke of the importance of owning our stories—both the triumphs and the struggles. As Schnall highlights, Angelou believed in the courage it takes to acknowledge and embrace all parts of our journey.

This idea is central to living an intentional life. When we honor where we’ve been, we create space to set meaningful intentions for where we’re going. Whether journaling about a challenge or reflecting on moments of joy, embracing our story helps us find clarity and direction. It’s a reminder that even the hard chapters have something to teach us.

Our Words Matter

Angelou’s understanding of language as a tool for connection and transformation is unparalleled. Schnall notes Angelou’s emphasis on choosing words carefully, as they shape not only how we see the world but how we show up in it.

In our daily lives, the words we speak to ourselves and others create the tone of our existence. I see this reflected in the principle of Presence within Seasons of Hygge: mindful communication fosters deeper connections and a greater sense of harmony. A thoughtful word has the power to uplift, while a careless one can create distance. Let’s choose words that nurture.

Live with Courage

Angelou’s perspective on courage as the foundation for all virtues is a poignant reminder that intentional living often requires bravery. Schnall recalls Angelou’s words: “Courage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage, you can’t practice any other virtue consistently.”

This lesson encourages us to step into discomfort, whether it’s pursuing a dream, building a relationship, or letting go of something that no longer serves us. Courage fuels the principle of Gratitude—appreciating the fullness of life, even when it challenges us, and trusting that each step forward brings us closer to growth.

Lead with Kindness

One of the most powerful reflections from Angelou’s interviews is her unwavering belief in the significance of kindness. As Schnall notes, Angelou emphasized that people will forget what you said or did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.

This resonates with the principle of Togetherness in my Hygge practice. Being kind—whether through small gestures or acts of service—nurtures connections and strengthens our communities. Kindness doesn’t have to be grand; it can be as simple as sharing a smile or offering support. These moments weave a fabric of warmth that envelops us all.

Find the Joy in Life

Angelou’s celebration of joy—even in the face of difficulty—is perhaps her most inspiring lesson. Schnall describes Angelou’s ability to find humor and joy as a survival mechanism, a way to navigate life’s complexities with grace.

This lesson speaks to the principle of Pleasure: making time to savor life’s beauty and indulge in its simple delights. Whether it’s a quiet cup of tea, the glow of candlelight, or the laughter of loved ones, joy reminds us why life is worth cherishing. Angelou’s perspective invites us to seek joy not as a luxury, but as a necessity.

Carrying These Lessons Forward

Maya Angelou’s insights are timeless because they speak to the essence of what it means to be human. They remind us to live fully, love deeply, and embrace each moment with courage and grace. These lessons are a call to slow down, reflect, and realign with what truly matters.

As I think about how to incorporate these lessons into my own life, I see them as touchstones for my Seasons of Hygge practice. Each principle is a way to ground myself in the values Angelou exemplified. Her words are a gift—a reminder that intentional living is not about perfection, but about creating a life that feels authentic and whole.

How do these lessons resonate with you? I’d love to hear how Maya Angelou’s wisdom has shaped your journey or what steps you’re taking to live more intentionally this season. Let’s share and learn from each other as we strive for a life of meaning, joy, and connection.

By reflecting on the legacy of Maya Angelou, we can honor her wisdom by weaving it into the fabric of our everyday lives. Her lessons are an invitation to live not just deliberately, but beautifully—a reminder that, as she said, “This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” Let’s make it count.

5 Lessons Learned from The 12 Week Year

There’s something both exciting and daunting about picking up a book like The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran and Michael Lennington. While it promises transformation—a framework to accomplish more in 12 weeks than most people achieve in a year, I found that this book challenged me to think more deeply about how its concepts already underpin aspects of my seasonal practice, offering new ways to refine and strengthen the methods I’ve been cultivating around intentional and mindful living.

It turns out, The 12 Week Year aligns beautifully with my existing seasonal practice, and even where it differs, it offers insights I hadn’t considered before and may choose to incorporate. Here are five lessons within the book that reinforce what I have already been practicing:

Letting Go of Annualized Thinking

One of the first lessons in The 12 Week Year is the trap of “annualized thinking”—setting big, ambitious goals for an entire year, only to feel overwhelmed or lose focus long before achieving them. This idea hit home for me. For years—decades, really—I’ve rung in the New Year with a list of habits, goals, and plans I was excited to tackle starting January 1. Without fail, by the end of January, many of those resolutions had already fallen apart. Each time, I’d beat myself up, labeling myself a failure and looking ahead to the next “restart” date, like my birthday in early March. And so the cycle of setting lofty goals and feeling personal disappointment would begin again.

The seasonal practice I’ve been developing has helped me break free from this pattern. Like The 12 Week Year, it avoids the overwhelm of annualized thinking by breaking the year into more manageable chunks. My practice focuses on one season—13 weeks at a time—providing space to set meaningful intentions, take action, and reflect on what worked and what didn’t. This shorter, intentional cycle has been a game-changer, naturally aligning with the book’s concept of redefining success in smaller, more focused intervals.

Getting A Fresh Start

Letting go of annualized thinking opens the door to something far more empowering: the chance to begin anew with each cycle. One of the most exciting concepts in The 12 Week Year is that every 12 weeks marks a fresh start. If you fall short of your goals, there’s no need to dwell on the disappointment. Instead, you regroup, refocus, and move forward.

This idea resonates deeply with my seasonal practice. Each season offers its own opportunity and excitement. The natural rhythm of the changing seasons brings its own momentum, allowing me to work with the flow of time instead of against it.

Both The 12 Week Year and my seasonal practice share a built-in framework for reflection and celebration at the end of each cycle. In my practice, the final week of every season is dedicated to the principle of Reflection. This isn’t just about looking back; it’s about engaging deeply with the experiences of the season. I reflect on how each principle manifested in my life, what I learned, and how I lived my intentions. I also ensure to close the season with a meaningful act of celebration, honoring the journey before turning my focus toward preparing for the next.

Similarly, The 12 Week Year ends with a week of reflection and celebration. This pause creates space to acknowledge progress, identify lessons, and recharge for the next cycle. Both approaches emphasize that growth isn’t about starting over; it’s about appreciating the journey, learning from the process, and carrying those insights forward with renewed purpose.

Each new season, whether in the calendar or in life, is a chance to begin again—not from scratch, but with the wisdom and clarity gained from the path already traveled.

Connecting to Your Vision

Each fresh start, whether it’s the beginning of a new season or a new 12-week cycle, requires something deeper than just goals to guide the way—it requires a vision. One of the most powerful lessons from The 12 Week Year is the emphasis on creating a compelling vision—a vivid picture of the life you want to create. This vision isn’t just an abstract idea; it’s the emotional connection that fuels consistent action, even on days when motivation is hard to find.

In my seasonal practice, vision takes the form of intentions tied to my 11 guiding principles. These intentions aren’t just goals—they’re deeply personal commitments aligned with the values I want to embody. For example, when I set an intention around Comfort, it goes far beyond cozy blankets and warm tea (though I love those too!). It’s about creating an environment where I feel safe, rested, and restored—a space where I can fully recharge and show up as my best self.

This kind of vision provides both clarity and direction. It gives meaning to my daily actions, helping me stay aligned with what truly matters throughout the season. Both The 12 Week Year and my seasonal practice recognize the importance of this connection to a bigger picture. Without it, even the best plans can feel hollow. But with a vision, every step—whether small or significant—becomes a part of creating something larger and deeply fulfilling.

Making Progress Daily

A compelling vision is only the beginning. Both The 12 Week Year and my seasonal practice stress an essential truth: execution isn’t about grand, sweeping gestures—it’s about the quiet, consistent actions of each day and week.

In my seasonal practice, I bring my vision to life by breaking the season into manageable weeks, each centered around a single principle like Nourishment, Presence, or Simplicity. This focus ensures I stay aligned with my intentions without feeling overwhelmed. Each week becomes a deliberate exploration of how to embody that principle in my daily life.

To keep this focus actionable, I incorporate daily practices. Morning questions help me plan specific ways to live out my intentions, while evening reflections allow me to notice how other principles naturally reveal themselves throughout the day. Designated journal prompts nudge me to pause and write, giving me a chance to consider these principles more deeply within the unique context of each season.

This approach — intentional actions supported by reflection — ensures that my seasonal practice stays grounded and meaningful. Much like the 12 Week Year’s emphasis on weekly plans and daily execution, my approach creates a structure that bridges the gap between vision and reality, one day and one week at a time.

Building Community and Accountability

Daily and weekly execution can create powerful personal transformation, but The 12 Week Year reminds us that we don’t have to go it alone. The book highlights the value of peer support, emphasizing how accountability groups can significantly improve outcomes. This idea feels like an invitation to expand my own practice—not just as a personal journey, but as something shared.

While my seasonal practice has been deeply personal and largely private, I’ve begun to feel the pull toward building a small, supportive community around it. Imagine a space where people come together to reflect on their seasonal intentions, share their experiences, and hold each other accountable—not as critics, but as cheerleaders for one another’s growth.

Whether this takes shape through social media, intimate gatherings, or an entirely new platform, the potential for connection excites me. Sharing what I’ve created and refined over the past four years feels like the natural next step—not just to strengthen my own practice but to invite others to find meaning in theirs.

What new ideas, perspectives, and possibilities might emerge from such a community? What lessons might we learn from sharing our wins and struggles? These are the questions I carry as I think about how to cultivate connection and collaboration. Together, I believe we can deepen the journey of intentional, seasonal living—and maybe even inspire each other in ways we couldn’t imagine alone.

Embracing Structured Seasons

While The 12 Week Year thrives on urgency and efficiency, my seasonal framework offers a deeper connection to natural cycles and an emotional release from the pressure of constant striving. It’s about valuing the process as much as the outcomes, celebrating progress, and living each season with intention and grace.

Reading The 12 Week Year has reaffirmed so much of what I value in my seasonal practice. Breaking the year into smaller, intentional periods; finding meaning in daily actions; and celebrating progress are all at the heart of what I do. The book has challenged me to strengthen my focus and structure, while my practice reminds me to slow down and embrace the rhythm of life.

As I prepare for my next season, I’ll take these lessons with me. Each principle, each intention, and each moment of reflection builds toward a life lived with purpose, connection, and balance. Whether I’m nurturing my personal growth or inviting others into this journey, I see the potential for both approaches to create something truly transformative—one season, and one step, at a time.

What about you? Have you tried a structured approach like The 12 Week Year or found your own way to navigate goal setting and personal growth?

5 Ways to Create Lasting Intimacy in Your Relationships

Could one of your relationships benefit from a deeper connection?

Creating deep and meaningful relationships isn’t just about spending time together—it’s about connecting on a level where both people feel seen, heard, and appreciated. This kind of closeness doesn’t happen by accident, it’s built through everyday actions and a shared effort to understand and support each other. Whether it’s with your partner, family, or friends, there are specific ways you can nurture these bonds to make them stronger and more resilient. Here are five essential aspects to focus on to create and maintain lasting intimacy in your relationships.

Connection

Connection is the heart of any close relationship. It’s that feeling of being truly linked to someone, where you both understand, trust and support each other no matter what. Building and keeping this connection takes time, effort, and a genuine interest in each other’s lives. When you have a strong connection, you feel like you belong together, creating a solid foundation for a lasting relationship. It’s about those shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and the little moments that remind you why this person is so important in your life.

Closeness

Closeness isn’t just about being physically near someone; it’s about feeling emotionally connected and comfortable enough to share your true self. It’s when you can be vulnerable, share your joys and fears, and know that the other person really “gets” you. Making time to nurture this closeness, by being present and truly listening, helps your relationship grow stronger, even when things get tough. Closeness builds the kind of bond that makes you feel secure and understood, no matter what life throws your way.

Communication

Communication is the lifeblood of any relationship. It’s how you express your needs, desires, and even frustrations in a way that’s open, honest, and respectful. Good communication helps prevent misunderstandings, resolve conflicts, and keeps your bond strong. When you make communication a priority, both of you feel heard and valued, which is key to keeping the intimacy alive. It’s not just about talking—it’s about really listening and making sure that both of you feel understood.

Commitment

Commitment is what keeps a relationship going strong. It’s the promise to stick together, through the ups and downs, and to invest in your shared future. When both of you are committed, there’s a sense of security and trust, knowing that you’re both in it for the long haul. Commitment means choosing each other over and over, even when life gets busy or challenging. It’s about being there for each other, not just in the big moments, but in the small, everyday ones too.

Conflict Resolution

Let’s face it—conflicts happen in every relationship. But how you handle them makes all the difference. Conflict resolution is about dealing with disagreements in a way that’s respectful and focused on understanding, not just winning. When you’re able to talk things out and find a solution together, it strengthens your relationship. It shows that even when you don’t see eye to eye, you’re both committed to making things work. Healthy conflict resolution is essential for keeping your relationship strong and preventing resentment from building up.

Lasting intimacy in any relationship doesn’t just happen—it’s created through intentional actions and a genuine desire to be a part of each other’s life. By focusing on these five aspects — connection, closeness, communication, commitment, and conflict resolution — you can deepen the bonds in your most important relationships. Whether with your partner, a close friend, or a family member, these elements will help you build and maintain the kind of deep, meaningful connections that stand the test of time. Take the time to nurture these areas, and you’ll see your relationships flourish.