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The Rhythm of Reflection: Embracing the Season of Slowing Down 

 

I pulled out my fuzzy socks today! With the weather changing, I feel excited—we’re quickly approaching my favorite time of year: winter. When things are cold, cozy, and jolly. Am I the only one who feels the urge to hibernate this time of year?

Every fall and winter, my body, mind, and spirit seem to crave a slower pace. In the past, I used to fight this feeling, trying to push myself to maintain the same level of productivity I keep throughout the rest of the year. Recently, though, a dear friend challenged my perspective by offering me an alternative view:

 

What if God intended for us to slow down during this season?

 

There’s a season for everything (Ecclesiastes reminds us of that), and maybe part of living well is being flexible enough to embrace the changes each season brings. The days are shorter, the weather colder, and family gatherings are sprinkled throughout these months. Instead of working against it, what if we leaned into it?

If you, like me, are approaching this season with a new mindset, I encourage you to consider adding reflection to your fall and winter rhythms.

 

The Missing Discipline of Reflection

 

 As a therapist and pastoral counselor, I’ve noticed that reflection is a spiritual practice missing from many Christians’ lives. Yet, scripture calls us to reflect often: “Be a Berean” (Acts 17:11), “Test and approve your faith” (Romans 12:2), and “Examine yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). It seems clear that we aren’t meant to just let life happen to us—we are called to stay attentive, which requires intentional reflection.

But in our fast-paced world, reflection is hard to come by. It takes time—something we’re often short on—and intentionality. When we do have downtime, we tend to fill it by mindlessly scrolling through social media, which often leaves us feeling more disconnected. But what if we used that time differently?

With a little more intention, reflection could become a regular rhythm in our lives—one that refreshes and refocuses us. Below are the tiers of reflection that I’ve found helpful in my own life. Feel free to adapt these ideas to fit your own rhythms.

 

Tiers of Reflection

 

Annual Reflection: Pruning and Planning

Toward the end of each year, I take time to reflect on how I’ve spent my time, heart, and money. If something no longer aligns with my values or isn’t working well for my family, it gets pruned. My husband and I sit down together and reflect on these things, discussing where we’ve been and where we want to go.

We also reflect on the year ahead—planning trips, anticipating big events, and considering the ages and stages of our kids, our relationship, and our little village in life. This helps us stay intentional about how we love and care for those in our circle during this season of life.

Ad Hoc Reflection: Moments Away for Perspective

Whenever my husband and I get a little time away—like a recent three-night getaway—we use it as an opportunity to reflect. We pray together about the joyful parts of life and the areas that feel heavy. We ask each other, and God, if there are things we need to adjust or let go of.

We find it helpful to do this reflection away from our daily routines—it gives us a fresh perspective and helps us see our life more clearly.

Weekly Reflection: A Mini-Holiday of Sabbath

A few years ago, after reading John Mark Comer’s The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, we introduced a weekly Sabbath into our family rhythm. What once felt like a burden—an interruption to my efficiency—has now become a welcome respite. It’s a way to cease striving, abide in the Lord, and delight in God and His blessings (In fact, every week we utter this Sabbath prayer together, “Lord, help us to cease, abide, and delight in You and what You’ve given us.”)

Sabbath provides a natural time for reflection. With fewer distractions, we can look back on the week with gratitude, savoring moments that were meaningful. It’s also a great time to look ahead to the upcoming week, preparing for both joyful and challenging moments. This rhythm helps us feel more in control of life, rather than feeling like life is controlling us.

Daily Reflection: Moments in the Mundane

For me, drive time is often the perfect opportunity for daily reflection. I try to keep the radio off and let my mind rest. I use that time to process whatever comes up in my mind and heart before God.

This daily practice has been a powerful way to sift through the little moments that tend to pile up. Instead of letting those moments build into stress or frustration, I can reflect on them as they come.

 

Reflection in Every Season 

 

As we enter this new season, I invite you to incorporate reflection into your life rhythm.

Here are some questions to guide your thoughts:

  • What do you want this season to look like for you?
    Are you aiming to ramp up productivity to prepare for the new year—or, like me, are you choosing to slow down?
  • How do you want to connect with your family during this season?
  • How do you want to connect with God?
  • What do you want next year to look like?
    It’s not too early to start thinking about it, so by the end of the year, you’ll have a sense of direction and purpose.

 

Reflection doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether it’s taking a deep breath during your commute, journaling on the weekend, or having meaningful conversations with loved ones, these small moments can help us stay aligned with God’s will and keep our hearts set above.

 

Whether you’re slowing down or speeding up this time of year, let’s not just let life happen to us—let’s live intentionally, with hearts attuned to God’s rhythms, in every season.