What a great list. For me- to remember to put the orange oil in the diffuser in the mornings while I am writing.
also: to speak up when I feel something is a problem instead of letting it fester until I explode
also: to trust myself - I don't need approval or ooo-ing or ahh-ing and I need to stop looking for it where I know I won't get it.
As for fighting winter: my son came back from his first year in the military and told me that the thing is to relax when you're cold. When your shoulders go up, and you shiver and clench your jaw, just let go. It really does feel better not to fight it.
I hope you enjoyed your walk, Emily. I almost got blown away on this morning's walk, but I'm still glad I went. I needed some fresh air and to feel a sense of my tiny scale under nature's majestic trees.
Lovely list. It has never occurred to me not to fight Winter. I need to read Wintering! I also need to listen to my body. This is a great reminder to me to drop into it.
Thanks Shawna. Like most things I write, it was as much a prompt for myself as anyone else. At this time of year in particular, we need more embodiment than our modern society is set up to facilitate. But let's do our best and yes, I really recommend Wintering (the book, as well as the practice). 💕
Clare, the metaphor of winter in Katherine May's book resonated with me, too. I've written about the winters of my life in this way, focusing on what sleeps and remains dormant but still teems with life below the surface (like seeds germinating under the frozen soil).
I feel what you wrote about today very acutely. This time of year not only focuses on the mirth of holidays, but we have a slew of family birthdays sandwiched in between November and January. I'm talking 7 extra birthdays to fit in between Thanksgiving in the US and Christmas. It's always a stressful time of year.
So I do what you mentioned - I take walks in nature to clear my head, to get me back into my body and out of my head, which is so so hard. I think what you shared about how you are going to focus on nurturing yourself is so helpful. It's grounding. It centers us. That's what integration is to me--not necessarily seeking this concept of "wholeness," which is akin to perfection, but about getting the different parts of me to converge, to hold hands in a way and make peace with each other. That idea works well for me.
I love what you say about therapy Clare.... there are seasons for growth and seasons for rest and integration 💚 Sending warmth from the Southern Hemisphere 😊
So.much of what you have written keeps resonating with me. I am still grieving the loss of my beautiful daughter 18 months ago and I feel like I have been wintering all this time in my head and body. I love your list and it gives me so much to work towards to pick myself and my family up and move forward in a world without my child. Thank you Clare Egan.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know I said it before when we were chatting about SurvivorStack but really, it must be a lot to carry.
I'm so glad that this resonated with you, and that it might give you some ideas as you move forward. Thank you for being here, and for sharing your experiences. I am sending you lots of love 💕
I so resonate with so much of this Clare - even though not in a UK winter also going through a tricky time. I agree in not fighting winter and also in winter often being internal as much as external.
I'm so glad this resonated, Catriona, though I'm sorry you're going through a tricky time. Here's to minding ourselves through Winter, so we'll be ready to flourish whenever Spring arrives. 💕
What a great list. For me- to remember to put the orange oil in the diffuser in the mornings while I am writing.
also: to speak up when I feel something is a problem instead of letting it fester until I explode
also: to trust myself - I don't need approval or ooo-ing or ahh-ing and I need to stop looking for it where I know I won't get it.
As for fighting winter: my son came back from his first year in the military and told me that the thing is to relax when you're cold. When your shoulders go up, and you shiver and clench your jaw, just let go. It really does feel better not to fight it.
That's very wise advice. I've never thought about how I clench and tighten my body during Winter, but I'm sure it makes it even harder to survive.
I'm also a big fan of orange oil. You've reminded me to get back into that diffuser habit, particularly when I'm writing 💕
I'm going for a walk here in a few minutes that I hope will improve my mood. Thank you for this, Clare.
I hope you enjoyed your walk, Emily. I almost got blown away on this morning's walk, but I'm still glad I went. I needed some fresh air and to feel a sense of my tiny scale under nature's majestic trees.
Thanks for being here 💕
I did enjoy it! We have A LOT of wind here in Nebraska, U.S., so I understand the being blown away part:).
Lovely list. It has never occurred to me not to fight Winter. I need to read Wintering! I also need to listen to my body. This is a great reminder to me to drop into it.
Thanks Shawna. Like most things I write, it was as much a prompt for myself as anyone else. At this time of year in particular, we need more embodiment than our modern society is set up to facilitate. But let's do our best and yes, I really recommend Wintering (the book, as well as the practice). 💕
Clare, the metaphor of winter in Katherine May's book resonated with me, too. I've written about the winters of my life in this way, focusing on what sleeps and remains dormant but still teems with life below the surface (like seeds germinating under the frozen soil).
I feel what you wrote about today very acutely. This time of year not only focuses on the mirth of holidays, but we have a slew of family birthdays sandwiched in between November and January. I'm talking 7 extra birthdays to fit in between Thanksgiving in the US and Christmas. It's always a stressful time of year.
So I do what you mentioned - I take walks in nature to clear my head, to get me back into my body and out of my head, which is so so hard. I think what you shared about how you are going to focus on nurturing yourself is so helpful. It's grounding. It centers us. That's what integration is to me--not necessarily seeking this concept of "wholeness," which is akin to perfection, but about getting the different parts of me to converge, to hold hands in a way and make peace with each other. That idea works well for me.
Seven birthdays as well as everything else! You have my sympathies Jeannie.
I'm glad that you're finding nature walks and nurturing helpful. It's what's getting me through right now too.
Wishing you a wonderful (& restful) festive period, my friend. 💕
I love what you say about therapy Clare.... there are seasons for growth and seasons for rest and integration 💚 Sending warmth from the Southern Hemisphere 😊
Thank you Vicki. We've got wind warnings here today, and I got soaked to the skin in a rain storm. So please, enjoy that sunny Southern Hemisphere 😉
So.much of what you have written keeps resonating with me. I am still grieving the loss of my beautiful daughter 18 months ago and I feel like I have been wintering all this time in my head and body. I love your list and it gives me so much to work towards to pick myself and my family up and move forward in a world without my child. Thank you Clare Egan.
I am so sorry for your loss. I know I said it before when we were chatting about SurvivorStack but really, it must be a lot to carry.
I'm so glad that this resonated with you, and that it might give you some ideas as you move forward. Thank you for being here, and for sharing your experiences. I am sending you lots of love 💕
Your list has inspired me to start my own.
Comfy sweat pants and hoodies.
Candles.
More creative time and less scrolling.
Read Wintering.
Love this! I'm going to add 'less scrolling' to my list too!
I so resonate with so much of this Clare - even though not in a UK winter also going through a tricky time. I agree in not fighting winter and also in winter often being internal as much as external.
I'm so glad this resonated, Catriona, though I'm sorry you're going through a tricky time. Here's to minding ourselves through Winter, so we'll be ready to flourish whenever Spring arrives. 💕