The Thread of Winter
On Knitting, Compassion, and the Quiet Return of Light
Welcome to the Michelle Seguin MD newsletter. I’m Dr. Michelle—thank you for being a part of this community! Today, I’m sharing reflections on a recent project and how it’s inspiring me to embrace imperfection, self-compassion, and rest this winter.
Hello friends,
December is here, and winter has officially arrived in the Keweenaw (with two snow days last week alone). In this week’s newsletter, I’m sharing reflections on embracing imperfection, finding stillness in the rhythm of winter, and how a rediscovered knitting project has become a metaphor for seasonal growth and renewal. I’ve also included a special guided meditation to help you rest and reconnect during this quiet season.
I hope you enjoy it!
With gratitude,
Dr. Michelle
Lessons from the Needles
Recently, I found myself drawn to an old knitting project I started years ago. It had been sitting in a basket, untouched, with its unfinished rows and tangled yarn—a project I had once abandoned in overwhelm. Who chooses a herringbone stitch for their first knitting project? (Type A, recovering perfectionist, that’s who). Picking it up again felt like a fitting metaphor for this season: revisiting what has been set aside, embracing imperfections, and finding warmth in the act of simply trying.
Knitting, like winter, has a rhythm all its own. The long nights and shorter days ask us to slow down, to rest, to move deliberately. The rhythm of the needles, the gentle pull of the yarn, the slow progress of each stitch—together, they create a cadence that invites stillness. It’s a practice that anchors me in the present, pulling my focus away from the demands of life and into the quiet comfort of the moment.
The Gift of Imperfection
As I returned to my knitting project, I saw every dropped stitch, uneven tension, and knot from my earlier attempts. At first, I fought the urge to pull it all apart and start fresh, but instead, I decided to keep going—to accept the imperfections as part of the piece’s story—of my story.
In many ways, this act of acceptance mirrors how I wish to see myself: with loving eyes, flaws and all. Winter’s darkness can feel like a mirror, reflecting back the parts of ourselves we often avoid—the unfinished projects, the missteps, the imperfections. Yet, it also offers us the grace to see these imperfections with compassion, to hold space for them, and to continue moving forward.
Each stitch—no matter how uneven—contributes to something whole, something meaningful, something truly beautiful.
The Quiet (Creative) Work of Winter
Knitting feels like a small act of creation, bringing warmth and beauty into a season that often feels dormant. Much like winter, which appears quiet on the surface but is full of preparation and renewal, this creative practice reminds me that stillness isn’t an absence of activity but a different kind of productivity—one that nurtures the soul. This inner work, though quiet and often unseen, is vital for growth and transformation.
As I reflected on this creative renewal, I felt inspired to create something special for you...
An Invitation to Rest - Winter Meditation
This practice is an invitation to rest, reflect, and reconnect with yourself. We’ll explore the gifts of rest and self-compassion while welcoming the light of renewal that winter gently offers us.
I hope this meditation brings you a sense of peace and warmth during these long winter nights. If you find it helpful and would like more guided meditations in the future, I’d love to hear from you!
You can listen to the meditation here:
Would you like more audio features (meditations, stories, podcast, etc.)? Share your thoughts below or reply to this email.
In Closing
As I make my way through this project, I’m reminded that life, too, is full of imperfections—dropped stitches, uneven tension, unexpected knots. But when seen together, these imperfections fade, leaving behind a piece that is beautiful, flawed, and whole.
Winter teaches us that rest is not idleness but preparation, that darkness is not absence but a moment of gestation, and that even in stillness, the light is growing.
This season, I invite you to find your own “knitting.” Whether it’s a creative project, a quiet walk in the snow, or simply sitting in stillness with a warm cup of tea, let this be a time to embrace rest, honor the darkness, and trust in the slow return of the light.
With love and care,
Dr. Michelle
Physician, Gardener, Home Cook, and Forever Curious
P.S. If you’re enjoying this newsletter, please consider sharing it with a home cook, gardener, or nature lover in your life. Together, we can inspire more people to embrace the beauty of seasonal living.
Here are my most recent Substack sharings:
A Piece of My Mind - November: What I'm cooking, reading, and practicing for winter wellness
A Nourishing Holiday Table for You: Plus, a heartfelt giveaway for one reader!
From Garden to Stillness: Finding Calm and Gratitude in Winter’s Transition
Loved the meditation and always happy to read about reflection and imperfection... Thank you 🙏🏽