A little hibernation, a little anticipation

Listening to the Light by Natalie Eve Marquis

I’ve had a strong urge to hibernate this winter. I’m still feeling it and doing my best to steal back time from other commitments—not only to paint more, but to create a little more spaciousness in my life.

Not because I’m anxious, stressed, or burnt out—but because I want to feel less rushed, more mindful, and to make room for journaling and quiet contemplation.

I work a day job and also devote considerable time to growing my art business—exhibiting, marketing, and sharing my work on social media. While the latter is truly a labor of love, I still have to remind myself that there’s no hurry and no need to overwork… something I have a tendency to do. I course-correct and refine regularly.

It’s a lot like my painting process: experimenting, stepping back, assessing what’s working (and what isn’t), and then making thoughtful refinements. What feels different this time is that I’m adjusting toward something I want more of, rather than pushing away from things I want less of, like stress or pressure.

Social media keeps telling us to get ready for the Year of the Horse—high energy, speed, and rapid change. So maybe I’m preemptively pulling back on the reins. Instead of rushing out into the world, I’m lighting more candles, curling up under soft lap blankets with my cat Charlie, journaling, reading, and of course painting .

It’s not particularly exciting news—but if you’re feeling something similar, maybe this is a little permission slip to slow down and take more time for yourself, too.