Season of Rest, Reflection, and Renewal: Lessons from Decomposition

As the final leaves fall and frost edges our mornings, nature gently shifts into her quiet season. Fall and winter are times of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation—not only for plants and animals but for us as well. This period mirrors the transformative process of decomposition, where what seems lifeless becomes the foundation of future growth.

In a compost pile, green nitrogen-rich material (like grass clippings and kitchen scraps) and brown carbon-rich material (like dried leaves and twigs) mix to create the perfect balance for decomposition. With time, air, and the work of microbes, this organic matter transforms into nutrient-rich soil. What was once considered waste becomes the fuel for new life.

This same principle can guide us through our own season of rest.

Green Nitrogen: The Energy of Our Experiences

Nitrogen represents the active, fresh, and vibrant parts of our lives—the big wins, challenging lessons, and hard-won milestones. These are the moments we’ve gathered throughout the year that hold potential but need processing to become fully integrated into our personal growth.

For example, maybe you accomplished a major goal this year, but the relentless hustle left you feeling drained. Or perhaps a challenging situation taught you resilience, but the emotional weight still lingers. These "greens" are rich in energy but can feel overwhelming if not balanced with reflection.

Brown Carbon: Grounding in Wisdom and Stillness

Carbon represents grounding and stability. Just as dried leaves and wood provide structure to a compost pile, we need moments of stillness to ground the energy of our experiences. This might look like journaling, meditating, or spending quiet time with loved ones. The browns are essential—they slow things down and create space for deeper processing.

Without these grounding moments, we risk emotional burnout or missing the deeper lessons buried in our busier moments.

Processing the Past Year: Rest, Reflect, Renew

As nature rests, we can take this opportunity to reflect on the "greens" and "browns" of our year:

• Rest: Like fallen leaves blanketing the forest floor, allow yourself to pause. Sleep in, take a break from endless to-dos, and listen to what your body and mind need. Rest is not just an indulgence—it’s a vital part of renewal.

• Reflect: Take inventory of your experiences. What energized you? What grounded you? What lessons emerged from challenges? Write these down, let them simmer in your mind, and notice patterns or realizations that surface.

• Renew: Just as microbes transform compost into rich soil, let your reflections nourish your next growing season. What practices will you carry forward? What will you leave behind? Use this time to set intentions for spring, when growth will begin anew.

Decomposition Is Transformation

It’s easy to think of decomposition as decay, but it’s much more than that—it’s transformation. Nature takes what has ended and prepares it for new beginnings. In the same way, our periods of rest and reflection are not idle or wasted. They’re vital processes that allow us to process, release, and create space for new growth.

As we move through these quiet seasons, we have the opportunity to take the rich material of our lives and, like compost, turn it into the nourishment we need for what’s ahead. The greens and browns of our experiences, when balanced and tended to, become the soil in which we can plant the seeds of our next chapter.

Let’s embrace the wisdom of fall and winter, trusting that this time of stillness is preparing us for a vibrant spring.