A New Way to Welcome the New Year

The New Year is upon us, and resolutions are beginning to bubble up in our consciousness. Traditionally, this is the season of doing more—striving harder, perfecting habits, eating healthier, exercising more, or shedding a few pounds after the celebrations of the holidays. While these intentions are understandable, what if this year you tried a different approach? Instead of aiming outward, what if your resolution was to turn inward?

The Wisdom of Winter

In the northern hemisphere, we are in the heart of deep winter. It is cold, dry, and windy—a season that invites us to build a fire, read a book, sip tea, or savor a bowl of warm soup. Nature shows us the rhythm: the land lies dormant and the sun rests lower in the sky. Winter invites us to embrace stillness and restoration. Ayurveda, India’s traditional wisdom system of medicine, defines winter as the brmhana time of year—a period of building, nourishing, and replenishing. If you look at the long arc of the seasons, summer and fall encourage activity and outward energy. The warmth and light of the sun fuel productivity, harvest, and movement. But as the humidity of fall fades and winter arrives, we are guided toward dormancy, quiet, and inner growth.

Nourishment Over Deprivation

Ayurveda teaches that we thrive in winter (or any season) by applying the opposite qualities of the season. Against the cold and dryness, we bring warmth, moisture, and nourishment. Yet so many popular New Year’s resolutions focus on depletion and deprivation. What if you are already doing enough? What if what you truly need is not restriction but deep nourishment? Consider setting intentions that honor the season:

Journaling to reflect and dream.
Preparing hearty, home-cooked meals.
Moving your body gently with yoga or walks in nature.
Meditating to connect with your inner world.
Gathering with community for warmth and joy.

A beautiful place to start is to check out Jess Frey’s Living Love 30-Day online journaling series—a cozy, heart-centered practice that creates space to explore living with love in community.

An Invitation to Simply Be

This winter, give yourself permission to pause. Instead of striving for more, let your resolution be to savor the simplicity of the season. Build your inner fire with slow stews and spiced teas. Wrap yourself in blankets of connection and comfort. Allow nourishment—not perfection—to guide you into the New Year.

Dive Deeper

If you’re feeling called to immerse yourself in the wisdom of Ayurveda, Kripalu’s Ayurveda retreats will help you connect and reconnect to the rhythms of the season. You’ll explore the concept of ritucharya, or seasonal routine, and a retreat environment where you can practice steadiness of a daily routine to boost your energy and equanimity no matter the time of year. Get started with your planning with the dates for our seasonal retreats for the first half of the year.