If you’ve ever watched an anime where the main character goes through their “training arc” or “glow-up arc,” then you already know exactly what I mean when I talk about a Winter Arc. It’s the season where you commit to leveling up, grounding yourself, and really stepping into your main character energy.
The Winter Arc begins in October and carries through the end of the year. It’s that moment when you decide, this is my transformation season. You’re closing out the year with intention instead of drifting into the holidays on autopilot.
Last year was my very first Winter Arc, and honestly, it changed me. I went into it with clear goals, a routine, and a mindset that said, okay, if this were an anime, this would be my training arc. And it was. I lost weight, I gained confidence, and I started setting up the foundation of the life I’m building now.
This year, I’m entering my Winter Arc with a whole new perspective. My goals look a little different, but the mindset is the same: I’m showing up for myself with intention, discipline, and a little soft girl flair.
Let’s break down what a Winter Arc actually is, how to build one for yourself, and what I’m doing this year to make mine successful.
What is a Winter Arc?
Think of the Winter Arc as your personal “season one training arc.”
If your life were an anime, the Winter Arc would be your montage: planning, journaling, leveling up, and building habits that make the next season of your life even more powerful.
The Winter Arc works perfectly in the fall-to-winter stretch because the energy naturally shifts. The weather cools down, routines feel steadier after summer, and you can use the last months of the year to ground yourself while preparing for the new one.
It’s also a great way to stay committed to your goals and combat seasonal depression. It gave me something to work towards when the sun was setting at 4:30 pm.
How My First Winter Arc Changed Me
Last year, my Winter Arc was all about weight loss. And honestly? It worked because I treated it like an actual storyline.
Here are some things I did:
- I surrounded myself with inspiration. I followed influencers who were on the same journey as me, whether it was fitness, reading, or wellness, to stay encouraged.
- I made my mornings intentional. Every morning as I got ready for work, I’d listen to a podcast or sermon about growth and leveling up. It set my mindset before the day even started.
- I created a system. I made a fitness journal on my iPad with GoodNotes. I added images, made a contents page, and wrote about my thoughts and feelings throughout the process. I even added a recipe section to track meals, calories, and protein.
- I tracked everything. I included a progress photo section and used journaling to check in with myself daily.
That level of intentionality made the biggest difference. It wasn’t just about losing weight, it was about actually living in my own storyline and holding myself accountable.
By setting clear goals, building an atmosphere that motivated me to reach them, and using journaling as my accountability system, I was able to stay consistent and actually hit my targets.
My Winter Arc Goals for This Year
This year, my Winter Arc is about more than just fitness. It’s about building community, creating balance, and leaning into the softness of the season.
1. Building My Online Community
I’ve gained so many new followers this year, but not everyone knows the full meaning behind my brand. So part of my Winter Arc is making sure my community feels genuinely connected.
I’m not going to lie—when my page first went viral and I hit 15.7k followers, I was hyped. It felt amazing to see that kind of growth. But over time, my views and likes started dropping, and I found myself questioning everything. Was my content even good? Did I just get lucky? That pressure to perform made me lose the joy I once had in creating. Even though I was proud of my page’s success, I started feeling like a failure when the engagement didn’t match. It almost felt like imposter syndrome creeping in.
So, I took a step back. I had to regroup and get real with myself. At the end of the day, I’m doing social media, blogging, and running an email list, all for free. At one point, I wanted this to become my full-time job, but now I think it makes more sense as a side hustle or an ‘opportunity maker.’ Reframing it this way has helped me bring joy back into the process instead of treating it like a job I’m failing at.
I created The Nerdy Babe Life ecosystem to encourage women like me, women who always felt “weird” for their passions, that it’s more than okay to embrace who they are. It’s about digging into hobbies, creating a life that feels good, and choosing joy every single day. Because we only get one life, so why not make it as peaceful, fun, and fulfilling as possible? Make the routines because they make you happy. Buy the cute running gear because it matters. Pour your iced coffee into a glass with heart-shaped ice just because it makes you smile. You’re not doing too much, you’re doing exactly what you need to feel whole.
After some soul-searching, I realized I do still want to do this; I want to spread this message. But I’m not doing it the way I was before. I’m done obsessing over analytics, and I’m done letting numbers decide if I’m “good enough.” I’m simply going to post, stay consistent, and engage with the people who resonate with this brand. Even if a post only gets 30 likes, that’s 30 people who connected with it. And that’s worth something.
Here’s how I’m doing it:
- Posting 4 times a week on social media
- Publishing 2 blog posts a month
- Sending out a weekly email blast
- Bookclub on Bindery (Weekly touchpoint with booknotes)
- Planning topics in advance and working in chunks so I don’t get overwhelmed
2. Building My In-Person Community
Online connection is amazing, but I also want to prioritize the people in my real life. With ADHD, it’s easy for me to slip into “out of sight, out of mind,” so this Winter Arc, I’m being intentional about nurturing my relationships.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I had this idea that community was supposed to be effortless, that the right people would just show up, things would fall into place, and I wouldn’t have to put in much work.
But that’s not true.
While some relationships are easier than others, not every connection is meant to be effortless. Sometimes you have to push through discomfort, miscommunication, or vulnerability in order to grow into a better person.
Sometimes you have to find your own community; you have to go places that push you out of your comfort zone.
And honestly, I had to call myself out: I want people to show up for me, for my birthday, my Christmas parties, my dinners, and my little movie nights. But if I want that, I also need to show up for them. If I want to feel seen, I need to make sure I’m making others feel seen too.
When I’m 90, I want to look back and say I lived a full life surrounded by amazing people. That I felt seen, heard, and loved, and that the people around me knew I saw, heard, and loved them, too.
I haven’t always been great at this in the past, but now I’m working to be more intentional.
Some things I’m doing:
- Going to events like the Black Caucus in D.C.
- Joining hot girl walks with groups I’ve found on social media
- Saying yes to pickleball with my coworkers
- Hosting movie nights
- Planning a Sisters-giving with my sisters
- Inviting my mom to visit for a trip
It’s about showing up and reminding people I care.
3. Prioritizing Wellness
Wellness doesn’t always mean pushing yourself to the extreme. This Winter Arc, I’m focusing on small, grounding habits that feel sustainable.
Last year, I went hard at the gym. My routine was Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday after work, no excuses. It didn’t matter if I wanted to go or not. There were nights I literally fell asleep in the parking lot before my workouts, but I still went in. And honestly, that discipline paid off. I hit my weight loss goals and proved to myself that I could stay consistent.
But things are different now. I don’t have that same job, which means I actually have time and money to build community and enjoy where I live. I’m genuinely happy to be home and content in my space. That drive to push myself the same way isn’t there anymore and I don’t think it needs to be.
I’ve also realized that body recomposition might not even be what I want. Do I really need a ‘“huge booty,”’IG Body,’ or do I need to do the internal work to feel good about my body no matter what size it is?
When I think about it, a lot of my old goals were tied to the male gaze—wanting to attract men or feel competitive with other women in the dating pool. But when I picture the version of myself that feels true, she’s strong, slim, and happy, not chasing a body society told her to want.
So this year, I’m switching things up. Instead of grinding at the gym four nights a week, I’m doing Pilates twice a week and running three times a week. I’m using a 5K app to build my endurance and joining a local run club on weekends so I can connect with the running community while moving my body.
This Winter Arc, I’m seeking balance with softer habits that make me feel whole. I don’t need to go hard all the time. I can get results, my results, by doing things I actually enjoy, instead of forcing myself into routines that don’t fit the life I want anymore.
How to Create Your Own Winter Arc
If you’re ready to step into your Winter Arc, here’s how I recommend building it in a way that feels intentional, fun, and sustainable:
1. Pick Your Focus
Don’t try to do everything at once. A Winter Arc works best when you choose 1–3 goals you want to prioritize. Maybe this season is about fitness and wellness. Or maybe it’s about career and creativity. It could even be relationships, or a mix of all of the above. The point is to set a focus so you can move with clarity instead of stretching yourself thin.
Ask yourself: What do I want to look back on in January and be proud of? Let that guide the goals you choose.
2. Romanticize the Process
This is where the main character’s energy comes in. Your Winter Arc isn’t just about pushing through your goals, it’s about romanticizing them. Make playlists that feel like your personal soundtrack, set up cozy journaling sessions with candles and tea, buy the cute gym fits, or build morning rituals that ground you instead of rushing you into the day. Little touches like this remind you, I’m in my arc right now.
The secret is creating a vibe around the things you love by building systems that help you show up. Lay out your running shoes the night before so your workout feels inviting, or keep a journal and pen on your nightstand so reflection becomes second nature. These small details help your brain form positive associations, turning routines into something you actually look forward to instead of dreading.
When you romanticize the process, even mundane tasks transform. Laundry becomes a podcast moment, meal prep feels like self-care with candles and lo-fi beats, and workouts turn into your own anime-style training montage. The work stops being a chore and starts feeling like part of your storyline, a chapter in your Winter Arc where you’re stepping into transformation with intention and joy.
3. Stay Accountable
Accountability is where the magic happens. When I set my goals, I also make sure my environment and systems support them.
- Curate your feed. Since my Winter Arc goals include Pilates and running, my social media feed is full of Pilates and runner girlies. Seeing them keeps me motivated. What you consume matters. Fill your world with inspiration that matches your goals. Follow people who are on the same journey, listen to motivational podcasts, watch YouTube channels that encourage you, and flood your environment with energy that lifts you higher. When the people and content around you align with your goals, staying on track feels natural.
- Prepare ahead. I pack my gym bag the night before, plan out my meals for the week, and make sure I’m staying within my calorie deficit while hitting my protein goals. That way, excuses don’t have room to creep in.
- Journal honestly. I write about my process, the good days, the hard days, and everything in between. It helps me reflect and keeps me grounded in why I started.
- Create community. Accountability isn’t just about yourself; it’s about people. I plan events in advance so I won’t cancel. I schedule my classes and make a point to talk to people there so I become a name and not just a face. I’m joining a run club and showing up with the intention of making real friends.
Whether it’s through a digital planner, a physical notebook, or even voice notes on your phone, find a way to track your progress. The more you see your consistency build, the more you’ll want to keep going.
4. Balance Ambition with Softness
Here’s the key: your Winter Arc shouldn’t feel like punishment. It should feel like a sustainable glow-up. Yes, challenge yourself, but don’t forget to rest. Add self-care into the plan. Take walks, make your sleepy girl mocktail, and spend time journaling or reading. Push yourself when you can, but soften into routines that make you feel whole.
The best arcs aren’t the ones where the main character breaks themselves down—they’re the ones where they grow stronger and learn how to take care of themselves.
Why the Winter Arc Works
The Winter Arc works because it’s not just about the goal, it’s about the story. Instead of saying, “I want to lose weight” or “I want to build community,” you’re saying, “This is my arc. This is the chapter where I show up differently.”
That shift makes all the difference. It becomes exciting instead of overwhelming, and you get to live in the energy of transformation.
Final Thoughts
Your Winter Arc doesn’t have to look like mine. Maybe yours is about training for a marathon, finally starting that creative project, or committing to therapy. The point is to move with intention and treat this season like a chapter worth remembering.
For me, this Winter Arc is about community, consistency, and wellness. It’s about being present in my relationships, showing up for my brand, and keeping my body and mind grounded.
So, if you’ve been waiting for a sign to step into your main character energy—this is it. Your Winter Arc starts now.
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