Moving at a Winter Pace
As snow flies and temperatures drop, this time of year always asks us to slow down, but January has a way of making that feel harder than it should. Days are short, energy is low, markets are quiet, and so much of what happens behind the scenes feels invisible. Around the studio, this month has been all about resetting—organizing and planning, with permission to move at a winter pace. Not every season is meant for momentum, and that’s okay.
The Work No One Sees
January tends to be filled with the kind of work that doesn’t translate well to photos or updates. While counting my inventory of materials and supplies this year, I also transitioned to a new inventory management system to better track what I’m using and how much it costs. This alone comes with a learning curve that has taken a lot of time and energy to tackle, but now that I’m (mostly) on the other side of the process, I’m able to see the future value it will bring to my business.
When everything suddenly comes calling at the same time, the weight adds up quickly.
January is also the month where I quietly stash the tasks I didn’t have the bandwidth for during the past year. I tell myself it’s so they can get the attention they deserve, but I often fall into the trap of thinking this month has more time and energy than it actually does. Unfortunately, many of these tasks were pushed aside without strong systems in place, leaving them to be forgotten until they all resurface at once. When everything suddenly comes calling at the same time, the weight adds up quickly. And without an external deadline or immediate payoff, it can be hard to find motivation during an already low-energy time of year.
When Quiet Feels Heavy
That combination has made this month feel heavier than I expected. Sitting down to review inventory and make decisions about what no longer fits—what needs to be simplified, paused, or let go—has been surprisingly challenging. Sometimes it feels difficult to give up something I’ve already put a lot of effort into. Sometimes I worry about disappointing the loyal customers who have come to love a particular soap.
Slower work often asks for more emotional energy, not less.
I’ve also found myself thinking more carefully about long-term choices. In lieu of a New Year’s resolution, my theme for 2026 is sustainability. From how I source ingredients, to how I produce and package products, to how I manage my own time and energy, sustainability sits at the core of how I want to move forward. I’m still working through a lot of things and am not ready to unpack those decisions fully just yet, but they’ve been quietly present in the background, adding weight to an already introspective season. It’s been a reminder that slower work often asks for more emotional energy, not less.
Small Signs of What’s Next
Even so, there are exciting things ahead in 2026. A few new bath bombs are in the final planning stages and almost ready to emerge, and some spring-themed soap designs have been quietly taking shape between all the practical tasks. Nothing loud or dramatic—just small shifts that feel in step with the light slowly returning.
Stepping Back Into Community
I’m also looking forward to being back with the Metcalfe Farmers Market on February 21. After a stretch of working mostly solo, without the regular rhythm of events, it’s easy for the days to feel a little isolating. Markets offer more than a place to sell—they’re a reminder that this work exists in relationship, in conversation, and in community. Even in winter, that reconnection matters more than I sometimes realize.
Carrying This Forward
As January ends, I’m reminded that progress doesn’t always look like productivity. Sometimes it looks like tending to the foundations and resting when needed, in order to strengthen the months ahead.
If you’re feeling the weight of winter too, I hope this serves as your permission to move gently, to reset in your own way, and to meet this season exactly where you are. The light is coming back—slowly, steadily—and that’s enough for now.
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