Draw on the Wisdom of the Season
Parties and outings, gift gathering and giving, cooking and catering, scheduling and showing up, planning and traveling are all in happening with heightened levels of priority now. Any one of those happenings could be a lot for someone to take on, but during the holidays we somehow decide that it all needs to be done.
Traditionally winters have been a time to slow down, rest more, replenish our energy stores, and reflect inwards on what we want to release. Winter offers us a time to reflect on what no longer works, has run its course, or simply doesn’t feel aligned anymore. It’s a time to hunker down like the bear in his den. It’s when our bodies want to eat grounding foods like root vegetable stews made with the bounty of the last mid-winter harvest. The natural desire to sleep more is generously offered by the sun’s gift of shorter days, a reprieve from the fiery, pitta days of summer. And the freezing cold temperatures…what says be still more clearly than that?
Within us exists an innate drive to be like water in winter (think snow and ice rather than rushing rivers). We were quite literally designed to move with each season for our survival. Yet, a current of vata-infused freneticism abounds around us. Surely this energy has carried over from summer, from societal expectation, from personal conditioning that keeps us in the hold of constantly moving. And while this may have an air of feeling natural, I would like to imagine that your purest, primal nature is whispering (or screaming) in your ear that it wants do things a little differently.
To shift one’s habituation or buck the trend of tradition is no easy feat and can bring up all sorts of feelings. For me, it was fear (that I was going to miss out on the “cool” thing - aka: FOMO), anxiety (that my choices weren’t going to actually feel better than giving in), worry (about how I was going to spend my time and that I may feel lonely), and concern (that my family and friends would be disappointed or upset with me). However, deep down I heard that voice and knew I needed to adjust - just a little. And Mother Nature would concur! By no means am I suggesting that you upend your whole life or way of living! Though embodying a lesson from our greatest teacher could gift you less stress and more lasting sustenance.
So I gave myself permission, as I offer the same to you. Consider if your holidays could benefit if you’re coming from a more internally resourced space. How might you be able to show up better for the people and things you care most about? How might you up level your personal experience of presence during celebrations or cozying up by a fire? One aspect to this reframe, which I really only surrendered to this past year, that had the most profound impact on me was that my Spring and Summer days were better for it. I appreciated them and enjoyed them more than ever. All because I gave myself more grace to be human and ebb with this season.
Now I find myself coming into a time of a deep winter, year end purge, if you will. It is a gentle release, contemplative and easeful. Looking through cupboards, tossing old foods in my pantry, passing on clothing, and stripping down my belongings to items that brought me utility or joy through the prior year. My personal practices, work commitments, and relationships also are provided time and thoughtfulness on what is serving me and my highest good. What’s lighting me up? What am I craving to experience more? Who and what is draining my prana, my precious life energy?
If you’re feeling drawn towards your internal rhythms, pressured by external expectations, or genuinely needing to give more (of anything) to yourself, here are a few easeful invitations to consider.
Wishing you the most fulfilling and rewarding holiday season, as you contemplate and practice balancing your your beautiful life!
Prioritize Your Rest
Take breaks to give your brain a rest. Take a walk at mid-day when the sun is high. Make yourself a cup of tea and allow yourself to drink it before getting back to task. Set bedtime/wind down reminders.
Remember the nature and essence of whatever season you’re in.
Celebrate Authentically
Spend the season with the people you love and bring you the most joy.
Say yes to events, people, traditions, and priorities that uplift your energy rather than deplete it.
Release Comparisons
What fills your bucket is personal and unique to you. It doesn’t have to resemble what anyone else is up to.
Skip the social media and decide what joy, pleasure, perfection, and balance look like to you.
Create Joyful Rituals
Find little things that you can do for you throughout the day that are just for you. A daily morning walk, preparing your morning cuppa tea, taking a aromatherapy bath before bed, sitting down for a meal - all aspects of life are a ritual, if you allow them to be.
Give Yourself a Pass
It’s okay to say ‘no’ sometimes. We’re humans, not robots. Our needs change not only from season to season, but from day to day, so listen to what your intuition is telling you.
Remind yourself that the hard work, love, and care you put into making the season festive is enough, because chances are, it is.