When January Plans Meet Real Life

So remember when I wrote that beautiful blog about stepping gently into January?
Listening. Going slow. Easing in. Honoring the season and all that good stuff?

And then… life reared its ugly head.
And I was a bit out of sorts.

What helped me most in this mamapause stage of life surprised me a little—even though it probably shouldn’t have.

I lifted heavy weights.
With other women.

And it changed everything.

Lifting heavy didn’t magically fix the house that was literally falling apart, but it did something far more important: it shifted my attitude. It gave me a sense of purpose in my day. It helped me show up more grounded for my work, my family, and myself.

Suddenly, the superficial chaos—the noise, the mess, the overwhelm—felt smaller. Manageable. Less personal. My nervous system had somewhere to go.

That doesn’t mean I ignored what I needed.

In fact, I deeply needed the quiet day where I walked alone in the woods. The slow pedicure with a long soak. The heat of the sauna melting tension I didn’t even realize I was holding. And honestly? After all the chaos, I appreciated those small pleasures even more. They landed differently. Deeper.

Which brings me to a question I think we should ask ourselves often—especially in seasons of overwhelm:

How do you process stress?

It’s not a one-and-done answer. It changes. It evolves. And when you ask the question repeatedly, you begin to hear your own voice more clearly. You start responding instead of reacting.

For me, there are three ways I continually process stress—three anchors I return to again and again:

1. Writing
Writing calms me. It helps me organize the noise. I process emotions, triggers, expectations, highlights—both good and bad—far more clearly when I write. It brings me back to myself. Even if only for 5 minutes.

2. Walking in the woods
There is something grounding about fresh air, uneven paths, heavier footsteps. Tall trees swaying above me, as if they’re protecting me, sheltering me somehow. I feel safe there. Held. Warm—even when it’s cold outside. Even if it’s a 10 minute walk.

3. Water and herbal tea
It sounds almost silly, but it’s magic. Drinking water is my favorite winter elixir. It helps my digestion, hydrates my skin (honestly the best skin treatment ever), and keeps my energy steady through the afternoon. Simple. Powerful. Underrated and under-utilized. Even if it’s an extra glass of water to start your day.

Here’s what I know for sure: stress isn’t something we eliminate. It’s something we process. And how we choose to process it can either drain us—or restore us.

Sometimes that means lifting heavy with women who get it.
Sometimes it means solitude.
Sometimes it means warmth, water, and quiet rituals.

All of it counts.
All of it matters.

Even if it’s only a minute of any one of those things.

And none of it has to look perfect to be deeply effective.