Sometimes rest is the hard work that needs to be done
We're a couple weeks into January, and I'm baaaack!
“Sometimes rest is the hard work that needs to be done.” - Ash Ambirge
We’re a couple weeks into January, and I’m back!
I’m also curious: did you make some resolutions while I was gone? Or maybe you’re over making resolutions, but you still had some “ideas” about things you’d like to “improve”. 🙋🏻♀️ Have you already fallen off the wagon? If so, join the club!
My opinion: winter isn’t a great time for making big changes (unless those changes include slowing down and doing less or maybe cleaning out a junk drawer 😉).
This is STILL the season of holing up, hibernating, hot tea, reflection, darkness, and going within.
If you’re not feeling the typical New Year’s vibes right now, you’re spot on.
There’s not doubt that our collective agreement about January 1 has some power and momentum, but our “new year” is rooted in an arbitrary calendar, one that overlooks a far more natural and meaningful marker for a new beginning: the equinox.
The current January 1 date was chosen by Julius Caesar all the way back in 46 BC. It has no celestial significance, no inherent alignment with the rhythms of nature.
There are some other options, though. The first New Moon of the year was January 11, the lunar new year. And the Human Design new year happens when the sun transits Gate 41 which is January 23 this year. We may start feeling more forward movement at that point.
The equinox, however, is when I usually start hitting my “new year” stride. In March, when day and night find equilibrium, the Earth takes a deep breath, poised on the cusp of all the spring vibes: renewal, transformation, starting fresh. It’s a great time to plant actual seeds, as well as seeds of intention.
In the dead of winter? Not so much.
Slowing down isn’t always easy, though, especially after the heightened energy of October/November/December festivities. But sometimes it’s the hard work that needs to be done. Or is it just me who has trouble slowing down? 😉
If you need ideas, here are some cozy things I’m doing to fill this often uncomfortable space after the frenzy of the holidays:
Curling up in my cute little chair with a book. Fiction. No self-help allowed.
Starting an ongoing grimoire to pass down to my kids.
Movie nights.
Noting the proverbial seeds that I want to plant come March. I’ve started using Notion for this. It’s awesome.
Dreaming about the real seeds I want to plant in the food garden I’ve always wanted.
What about you? How are you spending this time?
My hope is that it’s not by beating yourself up for not living up to some unrealistic expectation during what’s meant to be a less active time of year.
I hereby grant you a permission slip to go slow if you need it. 😉 I’ll be doing my best in this neck of the woods.
Xo, and see you next week,
Hannah
You can't go wrong with curling up in your favourite chair with fiction! Also, it's funny that you mention Notion because I just finished a Skillshare class on how to use it, and my inner nerd is coming out as I think of all the ways I could use it!