Even in sunny Florida, winter brings noticeable shifts. Shorter days. Cooler temperatures. Earlier sunsets that sneak up on you before you feel ready.
Winter didn’t just change my schedule. It changed what rest looked like for me. Read on to find out what winter taught me about rest.
Missing the Water and Learning to Sit With It
As the days grew shorter, it became harder to get out paddle boarding as often as I wanted to. Cooler temperatures and wind made it unsafe on many days, and suddenly something that had been a steady part of my life was no longer accessible.
What once looked like three paddles a week slowly turned into once or twice a month, if the weather happened to cooperate.
I had to sit with the desire to be on the water and the reality that I could not always make that happen.
And that was harder than I expected.
Rest Without the Usual Coping Tools
When winter first settled in, I struggled. Paddle boarding had become one of my primary ways of caring for myself, regulating my nervous system, and finding calm. Losing easy access to it left a noticeable gap.
At first, I was tempted to fill the space with busyness. To stay productive. To distract myself from the discomfort of slowing down.
Instead, I paused.
Winter seemed to be asking me to rest in a different way, even if it didn’t not feel as restorative or satisfying at first.
The Lesson: Rest Isn’t Always Active or Restorative
The kind of rest winter requires is not always energizing. Sometimes it feels dull, slow, or even uncomfortable. I found myself being less active and more still, whether I wanted to be or not.
Slowing down became necessary, not optional.
And that was the lesson.
Learning to Respect Limits Instead of Resisting Them
I was frustrated by the cooler-than-normal temperatures that took paddleboarding away from me. I wanted my routine back. I wanted the water.
But over time, I realized winter was offering something else. An invitation to respect limits rather than fight them.
Winter means less activity and more quiet. More turning inward. More rest that is subtle and unremarkable, but still meaningful.
Redefining What Rest Looks Like Right Now
These days, I use a treadmill at home to stay active. It is not nearly as enjoyable as paddleboarding, but it helps me move.
At the same time, not being on the water as much has created space for other things. I am reading more, which I love. I have more quiet evenings at home and less pressure to always be “on.”
Many nights are spent curled up on the couch with a book, a blanket, and my pets. There is comfort in that simplicity.
What Winter is Still Teaching Me
This winter has been a lesson in acceptance. I expected Florida to offer more paddleboarding days, but nature had other plans. With some of the coldest weather in years, I have had to learn to work within those limits.
On warm days, when the wind cooperates, I still get out on the water. But when I cannot, I have learned to explore other joys. Attending plays at the local theater. Meeting new friends for lunch. Finding pleasure in indoor moments I might have overlooked before.
And at least I no longer have to shovel snow.
Trusting the Season You’re In
Slowing down is part of growth. While I miss paddleboarding regularly, winter has helped me discover other parts of my new hometown and other ways to care for myself.
Maybe rest is not about doing less forever.
Maybe it is about listening closely to what this season is asking of us.
💌 Your Turn
What is this season teaching you about rest? I would love to hear your reflections in the comments.
If you’re ready to take your own gentle first step, I’d love to invite you to subscribe to my newsletter. You will receive a free download of my 5-Day Self-Care Reset Plan. It’s a simple way to start making space for yourself again, in just five minutes a day.
Feel free to visit my Etsy shop for resources to help you on your journey. I also have a free private self-care interactive Facebook group for women that you can join here.
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