A Wintering Ritual for Women
#FromMotherhoodtoMenopause
Winter invites us to slow down, to turn inward, and to honor the rhythms of our lives as women. Whether you are nurturing young children, caring for others, or finding yourself in a new season of reflection and change, this is a time to listen to the wisdom of your body and soul. This week, I invite you to create a ritual of rest and renewal—something sacred, something just for you. Better yet, make it a weekly practice, a time you can count on to replenish yourself during this season of stillness..a time to drink from the well….
As women, we give so much of ourselves to those we love. But here is a truth we cannot ignore: it is impossible to care for others if we do not first care for ourselves. You cannot pour from an empty cup. This ritual is your chance to refill that cup, to nourish the wellspring within you, so you can continue to give from a place of fullness, strength, and love.
Begin by creating a warm, welcoming space. Light candles to soften the edges of the day, spread a cozy blanket, and prepare a cup of tea steeped with calming herbs like chamomile, lavender, or a touch of rose. Let this small act remind you that you are worthy of care and attention.
Start your ritual by sitting in stillness. Take a few deep breaths, feeling your shoulders drop and your body begin to relax. With journal in hand, reflect on where you are in this season of life. What are you carrying that no longer serves you, like the last leaves clinging to bare branches? What seeds of possibility lie buried beneath the surface, waiting for quiet moments to grow? Write freely—about what you need, what you long for, what this winter is teaching you. Let your words be tender and without judgment.
Then, prepare a soothing herbal milk bath as an offering to yourself. Run a warm bath and pour in a cup of milk (or oat milk for a plant-based option), a handful of dried rose petals, and a few drops of lavender or chamomile essential oil. If your muscles are weary, add a bit of Epsom salt for relief. Step into the water and allow it to hold you, to soften and restore you. As you soak, let the warmth carry away the weight of what no longer belongs, making space for the renewal that follows rest.
When you emerge, wrap yourself in something soft—a robe, a blanket, something that feels like a hug. Take a moment to thank your body for its strength, its resilience, its wisdom. And then, nourish yourself further with a simple, beautiful meal. Prepare something warming—a bowl of soup, roasted root vegetables, or a grain salad with dark greens. Lay the table as you would for a dear friend, because you are the guest of honor. Eat slowly and with intention, letting each bite remind you of the care you deserve.
Finally, let yourself linger in the stillness of the season. Sip your tea and reflect on what it feels like to tend to your needs with such love. This ritual is not indulgence—it is an act of devotion. In caring for yourself, you are nurturing the strength, clarity, and energy you need to bloom when the earth does in the spring.
Make this wintering ritual your own. Let it be a time to honor your unique needs as a mother, a caregiver, or a woman navigating the transformative paths of menopause. When you make space for your own renewal, you not only care for yourself—you expand your capacity to care for those you love. In giving yourself this weekly gift, you are creating a wellspring of renewal that will serve you—and those around you—far beyond these colder days.
With Affection Always,
Beth
The photograph above is not mine. If anyone knows who to attribute it to, please let me know.
