Life update: after years of dreaming and planning, we pulled the trigger and left our law careers to be full-time stay at home parents/part-time farmers.
It sounds idyllic—and in many ways, it is—however right now our days are shaped by what I’ve started calling the “dark winter.” It’s a season of waiting, preparation, and invisible progress. Especially where we’ve moved to start our farm; winter here is gray, wet, and relentless. It’s certainly not the season to grow anything. To the outside world—and sometimes even to me—it looks like nothing is happening. No plants are growing. No crops are being harvested. No dirt is being turned over. But I think this season of apparent stillness is important.
Winter, whether literal or metaphorical, comes for all of us: waiting for a new career to take shape, navigating the early months of parenthood, or rebuilding after a major life change. It’s the season where progress is invisible, but the groundwork for the future is quietly laid. The work is slow and unglamorous, but it’s essential. “Winter” isn’t about reaping rewards—it’s about trusting the process and doing our best with where we’re at.
The Hidden Progress of Quiet Seasons
There’s no farming to be done yet, but that doesn’t mean we’re idle. This is the time for planning, organizing, and setting ourselves up for success when the growing season finally arrives. It’s the spreadsheets, the tool inventories, and the quiet, deliberate work that will eventually make the farm thrive.
The same is true in life. Quiet seasons come to everyone. They’re the moments when you feel stuck or stalled, unsure if you’re moving forward. But beneath the surface, the small, deliberate steps you take now—learning, preparing, or simply enduring—are the seeds of future growth. It’s hard to trust in these moments, but they are often the most important.
Parenting Through the Quiet
As much as we’re focused on building the farm, the majority of our time is spent with our 18-month-old son. We are fully immersed in parenting right now, and it often feels like we’re not “accomplishing” much. The days are full of small, repetitive tasks—reading books, cleaning up food off the floor, taking baths.
But just as winter is foundational for the farm, these moments with the lad are foundational for the life we’re building. They’re a reminder to slow down and savor what matters most. It’s not always easy to see the value in these quiet days, but I know I’ll look back and be grateful for this time.
To keep myself grounded, I try to keep a simple daily formula to help me stay fulfilled during this slow season:
• Exercise: Movement clears my head and reminds me to take care of myself.
• Get Outside: Even in the rain, fresh air works wonders.
• Connect with My Son: Whether it’s playing in the dirt or building rock towers, these moments are fleeting and precious and I try to take the time to appreciate that at least once a day.
• Cook Healthy Food: Preparing meals anchors the family and feels like a tangible accomplishment.
• Accomplish One Hard Task: Whether it’s a farm-related project or something small around the house, every step forward matters.
• Do Something Fun: Surfing, reading, or learning something new that spiked my interest—fun and curiosity are essential fuel for the journey.
The Slow Work of Building a Life
This time of my life—raising a toddler and building a farm—isn’t about big leaps. It’s about stacking small wins, day after day. It’s easy to think you’re not getting anywhere when the milestones feel so far off, but this season of quiet is its own kind of progress.
Winter will end. The seeds will sprout. And when the long days of farming come, I’ll look back on this quiet time and know it mattered.
