Are You Resting… or Are You Resisting?

Winter has a beautiful way of inviting us to slow down. Nature understands the importance of rest. Trees do not apologise for losing their leaves. Seeds remain hidden beneath the soil for months before they begin to grow, and beneath the stillness, remarkable things are happening. There is wisdom in these quieter seasons, and as humans, we are no different. Yet slowing down can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. Many of us have become so accustomed to being busy that when life naturally becomes quieter, we wonder if something is wrong. We feel guilty for resting, question whether we are doing enough, or convince ourselves that we will begin looking after ourselves once life settles down.

This raises a gentle question that I think is worth asking ourselves from time to time: Am I truly resting, or am I resisting? There is no judgement in that question—only curiosity. True rest is deeply nourishing. It allows the nervous system to settle, hormones to rebalance, the immune system to repair and our minds to become clearer. It creates the space our bodies need to heal. Resistance, however, feels quite different. It often disguises itself as waiting. I'll start exercising when I have more energy. I'll book that appointment next month. I'll make time for myself when things calm down. Sometimes the timing genuinely is not right. At other times, fear quietly takes the driver's seat without us even realising.

Fear can be incredibly convincing. It tells us we might fail, that we may feel worse before we feel better, or that nothing will change anyway. It encourages us to stay where things feel familiar, even if that place is no longer serving us. Yet healing rarely asks us to take giant leaps. More often, it simply asks us to take the next gentle step. Sometimes that step is booking an appointment. Sometimes it is preparing a nourishing meal, setting a boundary, spending time in nature, or allowing yourself an afternoon of complete rest without feeling guilty. Healing often begins with one small choice repeated consistently.

One of the greatest lessons I have learnt through both naturopathy and Reiki is that healing happens on many levels. We are not simply physical beings. Our emotional wellbeing, our beliefs, our nervous system and our energy all influence how we move through life. When one part of us begins to heal, the others often follow. Equally, when we continually push through exhaustion or ignore what our body is asking for, healing becomes much more difficult. Learning to listen is one of the most important skills we can develop.

Only you can truly know whether your body is asking for restoration or whether your heart is asking for courage. Some seasons genuinely require deep rest, and honouring that is an act of wisdom, not weakness. Other seasons quietly invite us to begin moving again, even if it is only one small step at a time. Neither season is better than the other. The key is recognising which one you are in and responding with compassion rather than judgement.

As we move closer to spring, nature offers us a beautiful reminder that growth is often invisible before it becomes obvious. Long before the first blossom appears, roots have strengthened, energy has been stored, and life has been quietly preparing beneath the surface. Perhaps your own healing is unfolding in exactly the same way. Even if you cannot yet see the changes, trust that they may already be happening. Growth is not always visible, and healing is not always obvious—but both are often taking place long before they bloom.