There is a point in January when the beauty of winter feels less poetic and more… heavy.

The Christmas lights are tucked away.

The evenings come too quickly.

The mornings feel dim.

Your energy dips.

Your heart softens into a strange blend of tiredness and longing.

The world feels quiet in a way that is both peaceful and lonely.

This is the winter middle.

Where nothing seems to be changing.

Where the heart wonders if spring will ever come.

Where hope feels small.

But midwinter has its own kind of sacredness.

This is the season when seeds sleep — unseen, uncelebrated — while God does His slowest and deepest work beneath the surface.

You are allowed to rest.

You are allowed to be quiet.

You are allowed to feel the weight of the season and still trust that God is near.

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When Hope Feels Dim: Understanding the Midwinter Shift

The winter midpoint affects us spiritually and physically:

• serotonin dips

• circadian rhythms shift

• sunlight disappears

• fatigue increases

• anxiety edges up

• motivation drops

• emotions rise

• chronic symptoms flare

• routines wobble

This is not failure.

This is physiology.

The Church, in her wisdom, places gentle feasts in January — Baptism of the Lord, Holy Name, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton — to shepherd our hearts through the dim days.

Midwinter is not a sign that hope has died.

It is a sign that hope is being held in stillness.

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Mental Health Practice #1: The Hope Candle Ritual

This grounding ritual is very calming for winter-blues anxiety or depression heaviness.

Each evening:

1. Light a single candle.
2. Sit in dim light.
3. Breathe slowly.
4. Whisper:“Jesus, hold my hope for me tonight.”
5. Sit 1–2 minutes in quiet.

This teaches the body that hope does not depend on your energy — it depends on God’s faithfulness.

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Mental Health Practice #2: Anti-Rumination Anchor Statements

Rumination increases in midwinter due to lowered light and increased cortisol.

Use these statements when your thoughts spiral:

• “I don’t need all the answers tonight.”

• “This moment is allowed to be small.”

• “I am safe right now.”

• “God is not in a hurry with me.”

• “Hope can be tiny and still be real.”

Say softly until your breathing slows.

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Mental Health Practice #3: Light-Therapy Prayer Time

If you have a light-therapy lamp, use it during prayer or journaling.

If not, sit near a window each morning.

The goal:

10–15 minutes of light while praying:

“Lord, shine Your light in my darkness.”

This supports serotonin and spiritual clarity simultaneously.

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Herbal Companion: St. John’s Wort + Lemon Peel + Green Tea

(We can substitute if St. John’s Wort is contraindicated.)

A brand-new, mood-lifting winter support blend.

Ingredients:

• ½ tsp St. John’s Wort – supports mood (check med interactions)
• 1 tsp green tea – gentle energy + mental clarity
• ½ tsp lemon peel – brightening, uplifting

Steep 5–7 minutes.

This tea feels like soft winter sunshine in a mug.

Alternate (if avoiding St. John’s Wort):

Lemon peel + green tea + passionflower (calming)

or

Green rooibos + lemon balm

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Aromatherapy Companion: Bergamot + Neroli

A bright, high-vibration blend that lifts winter heaviness without overstimulating.

Diffuse:

• 3 drops bergamot
• 1 drop neroli (or orange blossom)

These two oils together create emotional lightness and cellular relaxation.

Smells like soft sunlight and calm joy.

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Nourishing Recipe: Butternut Squash & Coconut Curry

Winter-brightening, anti-inflammatory, easy to digest, and perfect for low-energy days.

 Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cups butternut squash cubes
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 tsp curry powder
• ½ tsp turmeric
• Salt + pepper
• Optional: handful spinach or chickpeas

Instructions:

1. Sauté onion in oil.
2. Add squash, curry powder, turmeric.
3. Pour in coconut milk.
4. Simmer 15–20 minutes until squash softens.
5. Add spinach or chickpeas if using.

Comforting, colorful, warm — like a bowl of hope.

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The Spiritual Heart of Midwinter

God is forming things you cannot yet see.

Your soul is not stagnant — it is simmering.

Your heart is not failing — it is resting.

Your hope is not disappearing — it is hibernating, like a seed in winter soil.

You are held.

You are loved.

You are led through dim days by the Light of the World Himself.

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Closing Prayer

Jesus,

You are the Light that no darkness can overcome.

Hold me through these long winter days.

Warm my heart, steady my emotions,

and remind me that hope is alive even when it feels small.

Give me peace when my mind grows heavy.

Give me strength when my body grows weary.

Give me patience when my heart grows restless.

Give me light — even just enough for today.

Keep me close until the days lengthen again.

Amen.

From my Grace Filled Lemons heart to yours,

Laura