Bit of a waffly vague heading? Maybe...
This is what I mean: Each season has a different energy, right? A different pace, feeling, aesthetic and natural rhythm. This is isn't me being 'wellbeing industry woo-woo'- it's nature. It's science...
Spring is fresh, new beginnings, emerging out of hibernation. Summer is bright and full of 'go go' energy. Autumn and winter are slower, darker, a time to deeply rest and recover, gather up the comfort food to hunker down and hibernate.
I know this intellectually, and somewhere deeper in my being too, I think we all do.
However I have not followed these natural rhythms in my lifestyle for some time.
This season I am really embracing it, and thoroughly enjoying it too.
Buckle up for a story time...
The last few years has been very turbulent in my life. Of course, a big proportion of that was the covid pandemic (that all feels like a bit of a dream doesn't it?) The steadiness of life has evaded me for some time as I have navigated changes in just about all of the big signifiers of stability: life partner, home, and career.
When my daughter was one, I moved to Sherborne and soon after, my marriage ended. I found myself a single parent of an infant in a new town, wondering how exactly I was going to manage returning to work after maternity leave, and how I was going to survive this new reality. Shortly after, covid happened, which was a simultaneously isolating and unifying struggle we all experienced as a people. Safe to say I felt pretty lost. I was also unsure of which direction to take my career. I juggled a number of different marketing projects, and also started my own small business focused on wellbeing for busy mums. After a year or so, I came pretty close to burnout so shelved it, but I did get a whole TON of valuable experience from that experiment.
I felt like I had been running in circles, desperate to get a foot on the ladder, but ending up getting not very far....
Long, waffly story short: I've spent that last few years in a flap! Feeling anxious about how to forge my new reality, and ultimately survive financially on my own - making enough money to keep my house, and somehow find the time to work and parent and do... y'know, all of the things we need to do.
My nervous system has been JACKED. For too long. So whenever the slower seasons have come around, I have just been unable to lean into it and unwind. Sure, on the surface I can enjoy a mince pie and a walk around the Christmas markets and have a nice day, but underneath there has been a constant sense of panic and urgency to 'keep going' - 'work harder'!
I feel emotional as I type this my friends, but I have noticed in the past couple of weeks, that I feel....quite calm.
Over the last 12-18months a lot has changed in my life - not least; captaining the ship that is Kore Pilates! Honestly: one of the BEST moves I have ever made. I am so deeply grateful for the sense of purpose, stability and enjoyment that it has afforded me.
Tough times make us more appreciative of the good right? And perhaps it's a blessing that I am able to notice the slowing, the calming of my own nervous system in line with the changing pace of the seasons this year in what feels like, as Anna in frozen would pipe, 'the first time in foreverrrr'.
I know this festive season can be just bonkers with social gatherings, school events, family occasions, shopping, and all the rest of it. BUT my friends I urge you to join me, if you're able, in finding as many little pockets 'winter energy' as you can this season.
Here is a little list I threw together of ways in which I might try and foster this winter vibe, and if any of them resonate with you then please keep them in mind, write them down, and factor them in to your cosy winter season:
1. Say no to things
It's okay - you're allowed to. Don't want to go the party? don't! Don't want to volunteer to wrap 587 secret Santa pressies for the local event? Ask kindly if someone else can take it on this year. Think you can squeeze in an extra client project if you bust your ass at the weekends? Turn it down. Feels scary, might even feel 'wrong' - but it's a good muscle to flex.
2. Take a calmer version of your workout
Normally come to a strength building reformer class? Try a stretch and unwind class instead. Normally take a 10km run at weekends? Wrap up with a flask of tea and walk it for once instead. Love yoga? Try a soothing candlelit yin session instead.
3. Wait until January
Even feels controversial saying it! Obvs we can't bury heads in the sand if there's something really important to get done (I'm looking at you tax return) but if there's something you've been meaning to try, or start, or get sorted - can it wait? Example: I have a whole big new chunk of the Kore Pilates brand which I am really excited to start. I could've (would've usually) jumped in several weeks ago, but I have consciously decided to just chill out for a few weeks and get it launched in the new year.
4. Cosy up your space
Basic, but actually does make a big difference! Blankets, slippers, tea, get in your jammies at 5pm, candles, soft music (less harsh bright screens) slow baths instead of showers.
5. Slow it down baby
I love this as a really simple aim, it can even be a challenge - what in your day-to-day life can you do slower? Big things and little things, play with it, see what happens: your dog walk, making dinner, EATING dinner, love-making, writing an email, getting dressed, walking, the supermarket shop, washing your face, heck: breathing!
6. Appreciation
With slowing down, often comes the appreciation of the moment, and the 'thing' in the moment. There's some absolutely atrocious shit going on in the world currently, it's really difficult to deal with. Make the most, find the appreciation. Indulge the kids' bedtime story time, make the most of the catch up with your friends who you bump into in the street, feel every fibre of that deliciously snuggle jumper you've just put on.... you get the idea.
7. Indulge a little...
Now is the season to treat yourself to the things you love, more consciously and with love. I love writing, I've missed blogging! Is there a ton of stuff on my 'admin to do list'? Of course! But I am full embracing it - sitting in a hoody, Radio 6 on, decaf oat coffee on-hand writing about chilling out haha!
Love the crown on Netflix? Leave the washing, watch it!
Love slow Sundays? Stuff the chores, stay in bed with a book for an hour
Haven't had a facial in years? Call a friend, book one in together and go for lunch
Get yourself that more-expensive yogurt that you save for special occasions... (maybe my barometer of indulgence is a little off these days!)
Plan a date night...
Haven't been to Kore Pilates for ages and miss it? Book a class...haha I'm teasing but you get the idea :)
8. Sleep more
A whole other blog for another day, but sleep is vitally important for just about every marker of health. Nature is literally pushing us towards more sleep by turning off the lights so soon, did we get the hint? The perfect season to focus on your sleep hygiene, and get those early nights in....
The point is - this is seasonal, we can't be slow, and put things off and indulge all the time. But for a few weeks here over the winter, we can ease the slider to that end of the scale a little more than we would normally.
Our bodies, our minds, our relationships, businesses and lives need that ebb and flow - we need the rest to recoup and bounce back later.
I know it's not always that easy, but if you're lucky enough to be pretty stable in life and you feel like you can embrace some winter energy, then see this post as a gentle reminder, and a warm invitation to do so.
With love,
Sarah x
Comentarios