Dormancy is a Gift

Does anyone else feel a little slower in January and February? The excitement of the holidays are over, and the anticipation of the spring still feels so far out of reach.  

After years of trying to figure out what is wrong with me, I think I've decided my body takes hibernation, or "flower dormancy" very seriously. I'm just like a full sun annual!


What is dormancy? Take a look outside, and you can see how nature handles these shorter days, lack of sunlight, and overcast weeks. Chickens lay less eggs, squirrels look a little plump, and birds aren't singing quite as loudly. I see different perennials that still have a few inches of green down towards the base, while others look as if they were frozen to death and will never return.  

Some people are wired to handle this change of season with patience and grace, while some really struggle and fight the slowness. I am trying to embrace the beauty of the winter, allowing myself to slow down and be okay with not feeling as motivated and a little impatient. I know in a few short months (well, weeks!) things will begin to change. In the meantime, I will force myself to take walks in the woods, use my sun lamp, try to eat well, and surround myself with as much nature as possible. It may sound strange, but even just sitting next to my indoor plants really seems to help!

If the most beautiful of flowers need to take a season off of putting on a gorgeous display of color and beauty, maybe it's okay for me too! I think there is a deep reason for it all, and it is truly a gift!

-Jillian