What is Purposeful Rest? + The First Step on My Health Journey

Feeling Stuck? Let's Redefine Rest This Winter 

Midlife can feel like an uncharted season, a time when life's transitions—empty nests, career shifts, or unexpected changes—leave us feeling uncertain. I feel like we either "spin" in a flurry of activity, trying to make something happen, or we end up sitting on the couch, totally unmotivated. I've realized that winter, both literal and metaphorical, offers a unique opportunity to pause, reflect, and embrace rest with intention.

I recently shared why I wait until spring to set my New Year’s goals. I'm learning that when I use the slower months to rest and reflect, I'm better prepared by Spring to know what I want, and I'm more energized to set some goals. It’s been a game changer for me.

One thing you’ll learn about me is that I love to learn! In typical “Lisa fashion,” I ordered a book titled Wintering: The Power of Rest & Retreat in Difficult Times. At first, I thought it would provide tips for my newfound practice of "wintering." But I quickly discovered that Katherine May uses "wintering" as a metaphor for the difficult, transitional periods in life when we feel out of sync, overwhelmed, or lost. Sounds a bit like what midlife can feel like, doesn’t it?

May redefines these challenging times not as failures but as natural and necessary parts of the human experience, much like the natural cycle of seasons. Just as winter is a time for nature to slow down, rest, and regenerate, "wintering" represents the moments in our lives when we need to retreat, reflect, and nurture ourselves.

This idea reminded me of my own season of “wintering” following my divorce. I wrote more about it on the blog here.

What Is Purposeful Rest?

Purposeful rest is different from simply taking a break. It’s about choosing activities that nurture and restore us, helping us feel more connected to ourselves. In midlife, this can look different for every woman:

• For the woman who feels stuck on the couch: Purposeful rest may mean stepping outside, taking a short drive, or enjoying a quiet moment on the porch with a cup of tea.

• For the woman who is always busy: It might look like settling in with a favorite movie or reflecting on why she loves it so much. (When Harry Met Sally, anyone?)

The key is to find rest that feels restorative rather than aimless or draining.

If you’re feeling drawn to this idea of wintering, take it a step further and check out my practical ideas for purposeful rest on the blog. I’ve also included Midlife Reflection Starters (aka Journal Prompts) to begin your time of reflection. And don’t worry—if you don’t like to journal, you can still reflect. Send yourself a voice memo, think on the questions while you’re walking, discuss them with a friend, or even create an art project.

Midlife is a season for growth, and purposeful rest is an essential part of that process. By taking the time to pause and reflect this winter, you’ll be better equipped to bloom in the seasons ahead.

If you need a guide through the process, remember that I offer a free 15-minute consultation. Contact me, and we’ll chat about your next steps!

This month in my free Facebook group, Midlife With Purpose, we’ll be diving deeper into wintering with 20-minute teachings and discussions. You can join here.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to comment or reply to this email!

The first step on my health journey 

When I turned 50, my body began to rebel. It was as if it had decided it could no longer tolerate the way I’d treated it for years. I soon realized I was in the midst of perimenopause, and the combination of hormonal changes and years of neglect left me feeling tired, emotional, and unwell.

I tried a few doctors, but none seemed to truly listen, and no one had answers for the craziness I was experiencing. That’s why I’m so thankful I found Function Health. Twice a year, I have comprehensive bloodwork done with over 100 tests. The results are available in an online portal, complete with personalized recommendations from a doctor.

Function Health provides:

• Easy-to-understand explanations of your results.

• Suggestions for foods and supplements to include or avoid.

• Questions to ask your healthcare provider.

Testing twice a year has allowed me to track my progress and see where I’m improving.

This is the first step I recommend when people begin working on their health. It helps you understand exactly what your body needs instead of relying on guesswork.

By the way, I saw that Dr. Mark Hyman is giving away memberships to 10 people on January 8. To enter, just comment on this Instagram post. If you miss the contest, you can still sign up here.