Hey there Reader,
The Quiet Wisdom of the In-Between
Rest, Reflection, and the Days Between Christmas and New Year.
We are in that in-between time, the days between Christmas and New Year’s, when time seems to soften and blur.
We lose track of what day it is, the pace slows, and we often find ourselves at one end of the continuum or the other.
Some people feel a surge of energy: taking down decorations, decluttering, cleaning, planning, setting goals, preparing for the year ahead.
Others feel the pull to kick back — to leave the twinkling lights up a little longer, read a good book, drink more tea, rest, and reflect.
Neither is right or wrong.
The real gift of this time is noticing where you are right now — in this season, in these next few days. Not where you think you should be.
Honouring Your Energy During the In-Between Days
For me, I’m more in the laid-back zone this year. I’m tired. It’s been a full season; family time, gatherings, emotion, cooking, decorating.
Maybe you’re feeling that too.
Or maybe Christmas was quieter or lonelier, leaving you reflective. Or maybe you’re ready to move forward, energized by what’s next.
Whatever it is for you, this in-between time can be golden.
Winter asks something different of us, and sometimes we don’t love what it asks.
It’s a season of rest and digest, a time to calm the body, to replenish, to restore. Just as nature goes quiet beneath the surface, we too are preparing ourselves for the busyness and growth of spring and summer.
There is wisdom in honouring that rhythm.
We’re all wired differently. You don’t have to get up at 5 a.m., power through a to-do list, and have everything figured out before breakfast if that doesn’t work for you. There is no single right way to move through this season despite what that inner voice might be telling you.
Choosing a Meaningful Way Forward Instead of Rushing
What does matter is making a conscious commitment to yourself. And that’s not always easy.
Not taking the easy, familiar way out ,but taking the meaningful way forward.
If what you truly need is space, rest, and time, then allow that — consciously — with the understanding that rest is not avoidance.
It is fuel. It’s what allows us to show up when it matters and move forward with clarity when the time is right.
This pause gives us an opportunity to reflect more honestly, not on everything we didn’t get done, but on what we did accomplish. And sometimes that list surprises us.
The people we showed up for.
The moments we shared.
The ways we made a difference ,quietly or visibly, in our own lives and in the lives of others.
And if you’re feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or emotionally tired from work, relationships, or simply from carrying a lot this is a powerful moment to ask yourself how you want 2026 to feel.
Time keeps moving. The seasons continue to turn. We don’t get moments back.
So the question becomes:
Are you moving with time — consciously and intentionally — or feeling stuck, stalled, or frozen?
Aging isn’t a bad thing. It means we’re still here. It means we still have time and that time matters. Time with loved ones. With friends. With pets. In your home. In your body.
All we truly have is the present.
A Gentle Pause on Comparison
As you review your year, I want to gently invite you to stop one habit that doesn’t serve you: comparison.
When you notice yourself comparing what you accomplished with what others did, where you feel behind or frustrated — pause. I catch myself here too.
That path offers nothing good.
Your life doesn’t need to resemble anyone else’s. What matters is what feels true to you. What aligns with your values, your energy, and this season of your life.
Trust your gut. Listen inward. Follow through on what you know you need. That will take you much further than looking outside yourself for answers.
The Importance of Quiet for Clarity and Healing
Another essential piece of this in-between time is quiet.
We are surrounded by noise; from media, social platforms, constant input, and phones always within reach. Even when we’re with others, the pull to distract is strong.
So be intentional about quiet.
Put your phone away at night.
Don’t reach for it first thing in the morning.
Go for a walk without it.
Quiet isn’t empty. It’s where insight shows up. It’s where clarity finds us. It’s why mindfulness and meditation matter, they create purposeful stillness in a noisy world.
Four Simple Ways to Use This Time Well
As you move through these days, here are four simple ways to support yourself — take what fits, leave the rest.
First, make space for quiet, even brief moments without doing, fixing, or producing.
Second, write things down. Journal. Make notes. Capture what’s coming up for you: ideas, questions, dreams. What we don’t record, we often lose.
Third, clear one physical space. Just one. Let it reflect what you want to invite in. For many of us, clarity comes through subtraction, not addition.
And finally, practice daily self-kindness. Choose a time each day to acknowledge how you showed up, what you carried, what you handled well. Especially on hard days. This practice is simple, but deeply supportive — if you commit to it.
Winter Reflection and the Gift of Slowing Down
This season isn’t about growth yet.
It’s about listening.
Clearing space.
Softening comparison.
Choosing kindness.
Winter holds its own kind of magic. Let it give you what it offers even if that looks quieter than you expected.
With kindness,
Marianne .
With you in Mind!
Now Available:
✨ Radical Clarity Session
Are you stuck? Are you getting through each day, but feeling unsure about what comes next?
Life might look “fine” on the outside, and you are coping — but inside, you know you’re struggling and standing at a crossroads. Something is shifting. Something isn’t moving. And you can’t seem to break through on your own.
If you’re tired of the confusion, doubt and want real direction, this is for you.
The Radical Clarity Session is a focused 90-minute (up to 2-hour) intensive where we get right to the heart of what’s going on.
Together, we’ll uncover your top priority, understand what’s keeping you stuck, and map out a clear, supportive, doable path forward.
Less doubt.
Less spinning in circles. Make clear decisive decisions.
More clarity, confidence, and belief in what’s possible for you.
If this resonates, I’d love to talk with you.
➡️ Contact me directly to book your session or learn more.
marianne@mariannepreston.com
Values and Vision Workshop - Coming in mid-January -
In- Person Workshop /Dates to be confirmed
Staying Connected
As always Reader, if this has value for you drop me a line and please share this with anyone who you think may be interested.
If you are interested in subscribing to my newsletter and getting updates then hit the link below and you will get a free guide on "The 7 Steps to Banishing Burnout" as my thank you and you will be added to the list. Enjoy!