Have you noticed the manic frenzy of wildlife recently? Birds whistling through the night, trying to find the best nesting spots for spring. Foxes barking all day long and into the darkness, seeking the plumpest earthworms to keep their protein levels up. Me neither. In fact, they all seem pretty chilled to me. Blissfully unaware of what their goals should be for 2025, what the latest social media post says they should eat, or how often they should exercise. They seem to sense that January is a time to pause and hunker down, ready for when the sun returns to give us all a much-needed boost.
There’s something worth acknowledging here. After all, we’re not so different from our animal kin, are we? I’ve always found it far too easy to get caught up in the January merry-go-round of healthy habits, diets, and the latest productivity hacks. It’s a whirlwind that often leaves me feeling emotionally frazzled and guilty about all the things I’ve started but ultimately abandoned right at the beginning of the year. Not exactly the best way to tackle a month that’s already lacking in feel-good vibes!
This year, my New Year’s resolution is to not have one. Don’t get me wrong, I still like to make plans and set intentions, but a year is a long time. They say we overestimate what we can do in a day but underestimate what we can achieve in a year. So while the list is long and the plans are many for the months ahead, I’m reminding myself that winter is for hibernation and comfort—a time to recharge and prepare for the energy the brighter days will bring. So it’s best for us not to get caught up and anxious about all the things we should be doing, but to be excited about all the things we can do, when the time comes.
In the meantime, to keep spirits and immunity high, here’s a recipe we’ve been cooking a lot at home this winter. It’s versatile and can adapt to whatever greens you have in the fridge, while a kick of chilli is perfect for clearing up that runny nose!
Happy hibernating!