New Year, Same Season
This month I’ve been contemplating the arbitrary ‘start’ of the year. The idea of ‘new beginnings’, ‘fresh starts’ and a ‘new year’ being randomly assigned to a day and month, found in the middle of an on-going season has been a source of dissonance for me. As someone who likes to plan and has aspirations beyond the regular rhythms of my own daily life, the newness of a ‘New Year’ isn’t offensive to me. But the reality is that the seasons have not changed and winter, nature’s slowest, darkest, and most restorative season, is still upon us (in the northern hemisphere). Now really doesn’t seem like the best time for all new sentiments and commitments…several of which, so many people will have already abandoned by this late into the month anyways.
As I shared a few month’s back, I found myself longing for the slower cooler months as the summer drew to a close for those very traits of winter. The change of pace was, and still is welcomed after a busy growing season. And as a garden steward, I can’t help but laugh to myself in moments when I feel coerced and societally pulled towards ‘making the most’ of my time, just because it’s the ‘first’ month of the year… all while my garden continues its winter slumber completely unbothered by the calendar. The land has so much to teach us if we’re willing to pay attention and heed its advice.
In this season, the land is reminding me that now is still a time for restoration and for moving slowly. The days are still short, and vital preparations for seasons ahead are still underway. There’s no need to over-plan, over-prescribe, or over-pursue. That said, despite being somewhat off-putting in its unnatural placement within the calendar, the idea of an annual reset is one I still find useful because of the natural opportunity for reflection that endings and beginnings offer. The stress, hyper-fixation on productivity, and the notion of ‘reinventing’ ourselves that often accompanies the new year, I do not however, find useful or healthy.
With balance being one of my main personal values, what I’ve found meaningful this month has been to try to balance the counter-pulls between resting and ‘new years-ing’. When a useful insight or reflection comes to mind that I’d like to carry forward with me, I simply take note (and action only if it feels appropriate at the time). Likewise, when I feel drawn towards a cozy slower pace, I make as much space for that as I can. I’m not convinced I’ve got the balance between the two just right but in times of mild panic or in the face of a January that felt at times like a race, my garden continues to offer graceful reminders that simply ‘being’ is enough and that the real ‘new year’ comes in the spring anyways. So we’ve got time!
Digging Deeper
Garden Tips, Land Lessons & Science Things
This month’s garden tip is: “imagine for spring”
As I’ve said, I’m not completely offended by some of the New Year aspirational-type activities, but what I’ve found works for me is to use this time of year to imagine my upcoming spring garden. On days that are long dark and cold, letting my mind wander to thoughts of spring can be quite enjoyable. It also gives me lots of time to be thoughtful about what I hope for my garden to be, and do this year. So, consider what spring may look like for you this year.
Need some inspiration?
Through the F.A.R.M.E.R.S. Garden Simplicity, Balance, Joy & Freedom Program you can explore aspects of who you are, your role in the garden, and get guidance on planning and bringing your garden dreams to life. I believe, that we all have a responsibility to the land and that the garden (or whatever outdoor space you have access to) can be a great place to explore this relationship. In true January fashion though, I think it can be really easy to rush through garden planning and jump directly into the ‘doing stage’ but there is something vital in the process of imagining a space, how it feels, how it smells… this builds connection. In the first phase of our program, ‘Season 1: Envision your local garden’, you’re invited to do just that, visualize and image your ideal garden ecosystem. It’s the prefect program to cozy up with in advance of the next spring season! I invite you to learn more here.
Garden Calls to Action
Prompts, Quotes & Next Steps
“Develop clear boundaries that feel like fresh clay. Flexible, strong, and soothing to your body. Develop the ability to ignore anyone and anything that stands in the way of your goal of liberation. Every system in the culture doesn’t see your divinity. They were not created to connect. They were not created to have vision. They were created for you to internalize the lies about labour in a capitalist culture. Stay clear. Stay connected.”
- Tricia Hersey, We Will Rest! The Art of Escape
Tuning into our Senses
Connecting with and appreciating the natural world around us
I believe land connections blossom when we take the time to be present to the Earth and her many processes. Slowing our pace to match that of Earth’s helps us to tune into all the amazing and peculiar things going on around us. Here are some observations and joys I’ve experienced this month. I hope this inspires you to tune into what’s happening in the natural world around you too!
See, Touch & Smell: This month, I’m dedicating three senses to the most glorious Christmas tree I’ve ever had. Welcomed to my home this season from a local family farm, I’ve never enjoyed the pleasure of such a wonderful tree as I have this year. Yes, it’s January and yes I kept my tree up well into the ‘new year’ (feel free to judge). In part because I’m never in a rush to take it down but also because the tree all but refused to dry up. The needles remained soft and flexible to the touch from early December through to last week. It maintained its deep rich green, sharing a lovely pine scent day in and day out. Then, finally in its last days it let off the most invigorating yet relaxing strong pine scent as its goodbye. I’m beyond grateful for this season’s beauty of a tree who is now, in part, scenting some DIY household cleaner, and the rest is out in the back part of the yard providing habitat and sheltering spots for birds and others.
Hear: For a few weeks this month, while the majority of Canada has been inundated by intense winter weather, in BC we’ve enjoyed a small taste of spring. Blue skies, sunshine, and more mild temperatures than we’re used to on the coast. It has been the highlight of my month. And with this foreshadowing of the season to come, spring-like bird songs have been loudly ringing out from the birds who, like me, are clearly basking in this abnormal and welcomed pause in the winter.
Taste: Homemade broadleaf maple syrup is the taste highlight of January. Thanks to my husband’s foraging endeavours, this season our first batch of syrup is in the works!
F.A.R.M.E.R.S. Mindset
Helping you see your role in Earth’s collective wherever you are
Have you ever considered how moving more slowly often means, moving with more care and less physical impact? The very ground under our feet often endures less pressure as we slow our pace so perhaps resisting the allure of New Year’s lists, rushing, and goal chasing has more of an impact on the land than we might think. If not for yourself, perhaps for the land, consider how moving more slowly could be one way to connect with, and give back to the land.
Join the Conversation
What has January looked, and felt like to you? Do you share my sense of dissonance between the winter season and New Year’s sentiments? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or in the chat.
