Resting Into Readiness

Author: Farmer Kelley

It may come as a shock to some, but this time of year we’re often in bed by 7 p.m.

Winter on the farm asks for it. The days are short, the mornings slow, and the land itself seems to exhale. Once the time changes and daylight stretches again, we’ll work from sunup to sundown without thinking twice. But winter is different. Winter is for reading, resting, and quietly restoring what the busy seasons draw from us.

I’ve learned not to resist that rhythm anymore. Rest isn’t laziness—it’s preparation.

Years ago, I was part of a small book club made up of women who loved learning about aging well, eating thoughtfully, and caring for ourselves with intention. Life shifted, people moved away, and the group eventually dissolved, as these things sometimes do. I still miss those conversations. But I’ve remained a voracious reader when time allows, especially in these quieter months.

Right now, I’m enjoying Tiny Experiments. As someone who upended her entire life to begin this farming adventure full-time at age 53, her reflections on goals—holding them more lightly, allowing curiosity to lead—resonate deeply with me. Winter feels like the perfect season for that kind of thinking. Less forcing. More listening.

Soon enough, the light will return and momentum will carry us forward. For now, I’m honoring the opportunity for —early nights, warm food, good books, and the gentle reminder that rest is not falling behind.

It’s part of becoming ready.

Warmly,

Farmer Kelley