A Quiet Season

Does February feel a little heavier this year? You’re not alone. This time of year can bring a mix of emotions. The holidays feel like a distant memory, and spring still seems far away. For many, it’s a quiet season where feelings like sadness, stress, or even loneliness find space to creep in. Maybe it’s grief from someone you’ve lost, the weight of old memories resurfacing, or just the reality of life’s ups and downs catching up with you.

It’s okay to feel this way. Life isn’t always easy, and this stretch of the year tends to highlight that. But what if, instead of seeing these heavy feelings as something to dread or avoid, we viewed them as opportunities? What if February wasn’t just about getting through but about discovering what these emotions are here to teach us? There’s a real chance to turn what feels hard into something meaningful and, dare I say, beautiful.

It’s human nature to label experiences as “good” or “bad.” We want to stay in the good times forever and avoid the bad ones completely. But life doesn’t work like that, and honestly, that’s a good thing. The truth is, the heavier moments are often the ones that help us grow the most. They ask us to pause, reflect, and feel deeply—something we’re rarely encouraged to do in the busyness of everyday life.

Think of the heaviness you’ve felt lately. Maybe it shows up as tension in your neck after too many stressful days or as an ache in your chest when you think about what’s missing. That weight isn’t here to punish you. It’s here to remind you. It’s saying, “Hey, slow down. There’s something important to notice here.” These feelings are signals, nudging us to look inward, to reconnect, and to take care of ourselves. When those emotions hit, it’s tempting to ignore them—scroll through your phone, binge a show, or bury yourself in work. Trust me, I get it. But what if, instead, you leaned in for a moment? What if you sat with those feelings and just noticed them, without trying to fix or fight them?

Try this. If you’re feeling weighed down, close your eyes and take a deep breath. Where do you feel the heaviness in your body? Is it in your chest, your shoulders, maybe deep in your gut? Pay attention, like you would if a friend was sharing something difficult with you. Imagine shining a little light on that space, like a warm flashlight of kindness. Just by doing that—by being present with the feeling—you might notice a shift. It doesn’t mean the sadness or stress will immediately disappear, but it creates space for something else to emerge, like clarity, peace, or even relief.

It’s not about “fixing” yourself; it’s about being with yourself—exactly as you are.

Here’s the thing about those heavy feelings—they’re not permanent. They don’t have to define your days or weigh you down forever. When you pause and give them attention, you’re actually starting to move that energy. You’re turning what once felt stuck into something that can flow.

Take grief, for example. It’s something almost all of us have faced in some form. On the surface, it’s painful. But beneath that pain is something really beautiful—a deep love for whatever, or whoever, you’ve lost. That love is still there, even when it feels like all you can see is the ache. When you acknowledge that love, even in small ways, you start to feel lighter. That’s the magic of transmuting these heavy emotions—not by pushing them away but by letting them reveal something deeper and truer.

And the same goes for stress, disappointment, or those days when life just feels…blah. These feelings can lead to important realizations—like whether you’re overcommitted, hung up on perfection, or in need of connection. They’re signs pointing you toward what really matters.

This doesn’t mean life has to become one big therapy session. Working with your feelings doesn’t have to be some grand, time-consuming process. Start with simple things that bring you back to the moment.

Wrap up in your comfiest blanket and sip tea by your favorite window. Go for a walk, even if the skies are gray, and feel the cool air on your face. Call a friend or write down three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small they seem. These little moments of joy are like sparks—you don’t need fireworks to light up the dark; a spark is enough.

When you’re present for these small joys, you create space for something bigger to grow. You remind yourself that even when life feels heavy, there’s still beauty to be found. And over time, as you allow these lighter moments to shine through, you’ll find that the heaviness doesn’t hold the same grip it once did.

This month, instead of trying to rush through or wish it away, see it as an invitation. These heavier energies are here to remind you of your strength, your capacity to feel deeply, and your ability to transform challenges into growth. Think about the way buds begin to form on trees in late winter, even though we can’t always see them yet. Something within you is beginning to bloom, too.

Each moment of heaviness is an opportunity to pause, to reflect, and to respond by giving yourself grace. And every time you show up—even just a little bit—you’re building more peace, joy and resilience. Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. Take each day as it comes. And above all, be gentle with yourself.

If you are looking for more support to navigate an experience with grief, Embracing Grief, Standing in Your Light is my new offering that provides a new perspective on the grieving process. The teachings, meditations and practices will help you to become aware that grief has an important role in your life and can lead to a greater understanding of the true self.