Doing Less Without Feeling Like You’re Failing

Week 3: In winter, particularly February, doing less often carries moral weight. Somewhere along the way, effort has become a measure of value rather than a response to circumstance. How to do less without self-blame.

Dr. Richard PomfretFebruary 22, 2026Wintering, Burnout and exhaustion, Self-compassion

When the Threat System Thinks Winter is a Personal Failure

Week 2: Across cultures, winter was never treated as a personal failing. Reduced activity in February was expected. Lower energy was normal. How to save energy and show yourself compassion.

Dr. Richard PomfretFebruary 15, 2026Wintering, Self-criticism, Compassion Focused Therapy

How to Winter Well in a Modern World

Week 1: Wintering well in February might mean adjusting expectations before adjusting behaviour, reducing exposure to self-improvement noise and intentionally creating conditions of warmth, familiarity and rest.

Dr. Richard PomfretFebruary 8, 2026Wintering, Compassion Focused Therapy, Nervous system regulation

February Introduction

At Therapy On the Hill, February is a month we often think about in seasonal terms. Rather than asking how to push forward, we become more interested in how to stay with where we are.

Dr. Richard PomfretFebruary 8, 2026Wintering, Seasonal psychology, Therapy reflections