When Your Motivation Melts: Honoring Your Winter Cycle
Jan 20, 2026
❄️ When Your Motivation Melts: Honoring Your Winter Cycle
The Fire That Fizzles
You know that feeling when the new year begins and you are absolutely on fire?
That was me at the start of January. I was organized, motivated, and laser-focused. I was meeting deadlines early, getting ahead on projects, and my productivity-loving heart was singing.
Every morning, I’d write my to-do list, and by evening, every task was gloriously crossed off. It felt wonderful—until it didn’t.
Last week, everything crashed.
I was tired. Unmotivated. Completely drained.
And I started asking myself: What’s wrong with me?
Why couldn’t I find the energy I’d had just days before? I was eating well, sleeping enough, drinking plenty of water—doing all the things I recommend to my patients and to myself.
So why wasn’t it working?
After a few days of this mental tug-of-war, I remembered something I know but forget often: there’s nothing wrong with me.
I’m a human being, not a machine.
And humans—especially those juggling medicine, motherhood, and leadership—need rhythm, rest, and renewal.
Winter is nature’s pause.
And yet, we expect ourselves to sprint through it.
🌙 Remember, You Are Part of Nature
When you start paying attention, you’ll see cycles everywhere:
the sun, the moon, the tides, the seasons. Everything in nature moves through rhythm—grow, bloom, rest, renew.
And so do we.
A friend in Texas reminded me of this during their recent ice storm. The entire city shut down—roads frozen, schools and offices closed, and nature quite literally said, stop.
When the power’s out and the world goes quiet, you remember how small you are—and how powerful rest can be. Nature forces us to pause, to breathe, to simply be.
It shouldn’t take an ice storm to remind us, but sometimes it does.
We need these moments to rest, recharge, and release what’s no longer serving us.
Reflection Prompt Your Thoughts
Where in your life is nature inviting you to pause? ____________________________
What can you release this season to make room for renewal? ____________________________
🌱 Accept the Cyclical Self
Here’s the truth: our society isn’t built to honor cycles.
Under capitalism, we’re expected to wake up every morning and perform at our highest level—day after day, quarter after quarter. Growth is considered good only if it’s constant.
But no tree grows nonstop. No tide stays high forever.
So why do we hold ourselves to a standard even nature can’t meet?
The next time you feel your motivation dip, try replacing What’s wrong with me? with What season am I in?
Season Emotional Energy Natural Focus What Helps Most
Spring Rising energy Creativity, planning Set new goals, start projects
Summer High energy Productivity, connection Take bold action, collaborate
Fall Slowing energy Reflection, refinement Wrap up projects, organize
Winter Low energy Rest, introspection Journal, sleep, simplify
Even recognizing your current season can bring peace. You’re not broken—you’re just in winter.
☕ Practicing Gentle Productivity
When I started honoring my own rhythm, I noticed my self-talk shifting.
On low-energy days, I used to force myself to push through—shame myself for not “doing enough,” or caffeinate my way to exhaustion.
Now, I take a different approach. When I wake up heavy, I ask myself one question:
“How can I make this 10% easier?”
Maybe that means writing from the couch instead of my desk. Maybe it’s swapping creative work for admin tasks. And sometimes, it means closing the laptop entirely and taking a walk.
Gentleness doesn’t mean giving up—it means you’re working with yourself instead of against yourself.
Energy Level What to Try Instead
High Tackle big projects, brainstorm, connect
Medium Do focused work with breaks every 45 minutes
Low Simplify tasks, batch admin work, lower expectations
Empty Rest, hydrate, reflect, or ask for help
🔥 Segment 4: Is It a Microwave or Stovetop Day?
Imagine you’re making tea. You can boil water on the stovetop—slowly, beautifully—or you can microwave it and be done in two minutes.
Either way, you get hot water.
Some days are stovetop days—you have time and space to be intentional.
Other days are microwave days—you need quick results.
Both are valid. Both make tea.
The goal isn’t to romanticize the stovetop or shame the microwave. It’s to know what kind of day you’re in—and honor it.
Type of Day What It Looks Like How to Support Yourself
Stovetop Day Focused, creative, patient Slow down, enjoy the process
Microwave Day Efficient, tired, practical Simplify, celebrate completion
So if today’s a microwave day—heat the water fast, do what you can, and call it good.
🐶 Segment 5: Talk to Yourself Like You Talk to Your Pet
Here’s a simple truth: we are often kinder to our pets than we are to ourselves.
When I talk to our dog, I tell him he’s wonderful just for existing. I praise him for eating his food, for napping in the sunshine, for wagging his tail.
But me? I only give myself credit when I’ve done something exceptional.
Sound familiar?
This month, try giving yourself the same compassion you give your pet. You don’t have to go overboard—just start small:
“I’m proud of how I handled that.”
“That was a tough morning, and I showed up anyway.”
“I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.”
These neutral-to-kind statements retrain your brain. Over time, self-compassion becomes your default—just like petting your dog becomes instinct.
Situation Old Self-Talk New, Kind Self-Talk
Missed a deadline “I can’t believe I messed up again.” “I’ll regroup and handle it tomorrow.”
Forgot something “I’m so disorganized.” “That slipped my mind. I’ll set a reminder next time.”
Feeling unmotivated “I’m so lazy.” “My energy is low today. That’s okay.”
🕯 Closing Thoughts: Your Three-Step Winter Reset
If your January started strong and suddenly fizzled, you’re not broken. You’re just moving through a different season of your own rhythm.
Nature doesn’t apologize for winter—neither should you.
Here’s your gentle reset for the week:
Step Action Why It Matters
Pause Take five minutes to breathe, stretch, or stare out a window. Stillness helps your body regulate stress.
Ask “How can I make this 10% easier?” Small shifts keep momentum without burnout.
Praise Talk to yourself like your pet—encouraging, kind, patient. Self-compassion restores motivation faster.
You are doing enough.
You are enough.
So, whether today’s a stovetop day or a microwave day—pour yourself that tea, wrap up in your blanket, and keep going.
And if this resonated with you, share it with another physician or executive mom who might need a reminder that it’s okay to rest.
💬 Join the Conversation
What kind of day are you having today—a stovetop or microwave day?
Tell me in the comments or share your reflections on social media with #SingleMomMD and #HonorYourWinter.
Let’s normalize resting without guilt, working with intention, and celebrating every season of ourselves.
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